No more trout pout

We reviewed New Zealand’s ban on commercial trout farming and found that lifting it could unlock millions in economic benefits. 

Commercial trout farming is currently against the rules in New Zealand because of concerns about possible disease transmission and poaching.  

However, we already have a successful commercial salmon farming industry, which has been around since the 1970s and has a similar level of environmental risk. And, we have existing trout hatcheries demonstrating safe and effective trout farming is possible. 

So, we investigated the issue further and found that the economic benefit of trout farming outweighs the risks, which can be managed through existing rules.  

What did we do? 

We completed a rapid review of the existing rules and did an economic analysis which shows that commercial trout farming could generate as much as $300m in economic benefit over 30 years. This would lead to new jobs and growing local businesses, particularly in rural areas. 

Getting rid of the rules against Trout farming would bring us into line with other countries – Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe. 
Existing laws – including the Fisheries Act 1996, Conservation Act 1987, and Resource Management Act 1991 – would continue to make sure the risks were managed.  

Regulation Minister David Seymour has written to Oceans and Fisheries Minister Hon Shane Jones and Conservation Minister Hon Tama Potaka to advocate for changing the rules to open up trout farming in New Zealand.

What is the benefit for New Zealanders?  

Getting rid of the rules against trout farming could lead to significant economic growth opportunities with more local jobs for rural people.