A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs.
“The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 per cent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” says Oceans and Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash.
“There’s an enormous opportunity to leverage the good reputation of Nelson Tasman’s seafood and aquaculture sector to help connect with potential investors to boost innovation and growth.”
He says this new project will establish a blue economy cluster – a group of seafood and aquaculture companies with a common interest in growing the sector’s sustainability and success.
“The blue economy cluster will enable the local sector to move forward together and pool resources and expertise,” he says
The Government is contributing $500,000 over two years to the new Moananui – Blue Economy Cluster project through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI’s) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund.
A further $400,000 will be invested by the Nelson Regional Development Agency, Cawthron Institute, Sealord, Pharmalink Extracts, Plant and Food, Port Nelson, Kernohan Engineering, Wakatū Incorporation, and MacLab.
“This project is a great example of Government working in partnership with local businesses and regional leaders enhance our competitive advantage overseas, create more jobs to boost the local Nelson Tasman economy, and focus efforts on low carbon, sustainable initiatives,” says Nash.
The project which alights with the Fisheries Industry Transformation Plan is currently under development and is expected to identify the importance of collaboration across the sector, environmental sustainability, and innovation to the sector’s success.
“The new Moananui – Blue Economy Cluster project will be another step towards turning the plan into action,” says Nash.
