Mon, 21 Sep 2009 5:58p.m.
What do shampoo, biofuel, fertilizer, mineral supplements, cattle feed, custard and sushi all have in common?
Seaweed is often an ingredient.
New Zealand’s seaweed is particularly sought after because it is uncontaminated and there is plenty of it. But overseas and local entrepreneurs have had very little access to it because of tight government controls of the resource.
That is about to change, as soon New Zealand’s kelp forests will be harvested, and those with permits can clear most of the North Island’s beaches of seaweed.
Fisherman Jim Mikoz is someone who believes seaweed needs to be protected.
He has lobbied the Ministry of Fisheries to stop what he says will be the plundering of it.
“They’re going to commercialise as soon as it arrives,” he says.
Mr Mikoz says that is a serious problem, as seaweed is a crucial part of the marine eco system – packed with insects which small fish feed on.
“This is the beginning of the food chain decreasing,” he says.
Petone beach is one of 29 in the Wellington region regularly groomed of seaweed, just to keep it tidy.
Mr Mikoz says there is evidence fish stocks around groomed beaches have become depleted, and when large-scale seaweed removal gets up and running, the same will happen.
Forest and Bird’s Marine Ecologist agrees.
But from October 2010, the Fisheries Ministry plans to extend the area of seaweed harvesting beaches.
At stake – millions of dollars.
Watch the video
