Aquaculture started to take off in New Zealand in the 1980s. It is dominated by mussels, oysters and salmon.[2] In 2007, aquaculture generated about NZ$360 million in sales on an area of 7,700 hectares. $240 million was earned in exports.[3][4]
In 2006, the aquaculture industry in New Zealand developed a strategy aimed at achieving a sustainable annual billion NZ dollar business by 2025.[5] In 2007, the government reacted by offering more support to the growing industry.[2]