11 December 2001

The Government's moratorium on aquaculture leaves a large number of jobs for Maori and others and business opportunities at risk, National Maori Affairs spokesperson Georgina te Heuheu said today.

Minister of Fisheries Pete Hodgson and Environment Minister Marion Hobbs plan to impose moratorium on new aquaculture activities in coastal marine areas, through the Resource Management (Aquaculture Moratorium) Amendment Bill.

"A number of Maori groups and other players in the fishing industry are concerned that a great deal of time and investment spent developing the farms and markets will now go down the drain because of this moratorium.

"The moratorium flies in the face of this Government's commitment to Maori moving forward and Maori economic development.

"The Government has retrospectively introduced this moratorium without what is considered to be proper consultation with Maori, and giving little notice.

"Maori have invested a lot of time and money into aquaculture development. This moratorium puts the kybosh on Moari aspirations to create business opportunities, jobs and wealth for their communities for their communities," Mrs te Heuheu said.

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