Thanks to everyone who has already completed the short survey to help us assess options for environmental certification for New Zealand farmed seafood products.

We really appreciate your time and thank you for sharing your opinions and ideas - you are now in the prize draw for a case of premium New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Its not too late to get involved. The short survey created to capture recognition and preferences related to aquaculture environmental certification remains open, and everyone who completes it before Wednesday, 14th November will also go into the prize draw to win a case of premium New Zealand wine.

Once again, we thank you for helping to shape the future credentials of the New Zealand aquaculture industry.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZLLTBF3
 
In New Zealand we have many new opportunities for developing seafood.  We already grow king salmon, mussels, oysters and have other species like kingfish and hapuku,  butterfish and flat oysters ready for development and commercialisation.

But what species and products do consumers want?  Maybe its species of seaweed, sea horses or baby eels.  Maybe we just need to improve and develop the traditional species like salmon and mussels into better forms for chefs and consumers
 
Our current project is looking at sustainability of New Zealand salmon, mussels and oysters.  

We grow some of the world's best salmon, greenshell mussels and pacific oysters in New Zealand.  They are grown in an environment which is well controlled, legislated and monitored. New Zealand has a pristine environment and systems in place to manage it. Even better,  our food tastes great!

Some buyers are starting to require certified environmental credentials. But many buyers are more interested in food safety, quality and price.

If certification leads environmental practices to providing more reliable supply and quality, even better taste, and maybe even better prices from consumers..... will retailers have a real reason for insisting upon certification?

Does the New Zealand industry need any form of certification for its environmental practices? If so, what are the choices?

Is certification just to provide comfort for trade buyers in key markets? What do you think?

Can we rely on current environmental practices being enough to protect the environment?  What do you think?