New Zealand’s aquaculture industry is set for major expansion under a new government plan aiming to triple its revenue to $3 billion annually by 2035, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced.

Speaking at the Havelock Mussel and Seafood Festival in Marlborough, Jones launched the New Zealand Aquaculture Development Plan 2025–2030, outlining key strategies to drive growth.

The industry currently generates $760 million annually and employs more than 3,000 people, with expectations that job numbers will double under the new plan.

“I’ve never been shy about my ambitions for the aquaculture sector. The Coalition Government is supporting marine farmers to flourish,” Jones said.

The plan focuses on optimizing existing marine farms, expanding production through open ocean aquaculture, advancing Māori leadership in the sector, introducing new species for farming, and supporting technological innovation.

The government has already taken steps to accelerate growth, including extending marine consents, passing the Fast-track Approvals Act, approving New Zealand’s first open ocean salmon farm, and investing $11.72 million in a project to boost offshore aquaculture.

Jones also announced a $9.9 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) to improve Havelock Marina, a crucial hub for New Zealand’s greenshell mussel industry.

The marina plays a vital role in processing, maintenance, and support services for aquaculture businesses in Marlborough, which produces 60 percent of the country’s aquaculture exports.

Storm events in 2021 and 2022 caused silt to accumulate in the marina’s channel, restricting vessel access, creating congestion, and limiting business operations.

The RIF funding will be used to dredge the marina to restore safe, unrestricted access and to construct three replacement jetties to improve resilience against flooding and climate change. The total cost of the project is $19.8 million, with the remaining half funded by Port Marlborough.

“The current situation at Havelock is an unacceptable roadblock to growth. This RIF funding will help unlock access to the marina for commercial use as well as provide the local community with an alternative, resilient access,” Jones said.

The construction and dredging work is expected to create up to 54 jobs.

Marlborough exports approximately 65,000 tonnes of greenshell mussels and 6,000 tonnes of salmon annually, generating more than $300 million in export revenue.

The government hopes the new aquaculture plan and infrastructure investments will provide a major boost to regional economies and further cement New Zealand’s position as a global leader in sustainable seafood production.