新西兰海洋与渔业部长 Shane Jones 表示，一项针对南部扇贝渔业重要区域的大规模生态修复投资，将帮助重建这一具有重要价值的地区产业，恢复海洋栖息地，并为建立一个能够自我维持的扇贝渔业创造条件。

新西兰政府将通过初级产业增长基金（Primary Sector Growth Fund，PSGF）投入 197万新西兰元，参与为期七年的挑战者扇贝渔业恢复计划（Challenger scallop fishery restoration programme）。该项目同时获得行业的大力投资，由挑战者扇贝增殖公司（Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company，CSEC）牵头实施。

Jones部长表示：

“塔斯曼湾和金湾的南部扇贝渔业曾经是新西兰最大的商业扇贝渔业。这项投资旨在创造有利于其恢复的条件，让未来几代人都能够受益于健康、高产的渔业资源。”

“该项目将科学研究、创新技术和行业专业知识结合起来，共同推动扇贝渔业的恢复。”

由于多年来受到栖息地退化、泥沙淤积以及幼年扇贝存活率低等因素影响，该渔场一直处于关闭状态。

今年早些时候完成的一项可行性研究确认，仅依靠传统的渔业增殖方法，无法实现扇贝资源的充分恢复。

该项目的一项重要内容，是修复约 39公顷海床，其中包括投放数千立方米的贻贝壳，以改善扇贝以及其他海洋生物的栖息环境。

Jones部长表示：

“这项投资的意义远远不只是恢复扇贝资源。它还包括恢复扇贝赖以生存的海洋栖息地、改善海洋生物多样性，并重新建立一个能够支持经济、文化和社区福祉的渔业基础。”

该项目得到了渔业行业和毛利部族（iwi）的大力支持。

CSEC的股东包括南岛北部地区的8个iwi以及20多家商业捕捞和水产品加工企业。

整个项目的总投资额为 502万新西兰元，其中行业通过现金投入以及实物、服务等非现金形式的支持，承担了超过60%的项目总资金。

相关模型预测，恢复后的扇贝渔业在未来20年内有望创造约 2100万新西兰元的新收入，从而为地区经济以及新西兰海产品行业带来显著的长期收益。

Restoration project to revive southern scallops

A major new investment to restore a key area of the southern scallop fishery will help rebuild a valuable regional industry, restore marine habitat and create a pathway to a self-sustaining fishery, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

The Government will co-invest $1.97 million through the Primary Sector Growth Fund (PSGF) in the seven-year Challenger scallop fishery restoration programme, alongside significant industry investment led by the Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company (CSEC).

“The southern scallop fishery in Tasman and Golden Bays was once New Zealand’s largest commercial scallop fishery. This investment is about creating the conditions for its recovery so future generations can benefit from a healthy and productive fishery,” Mr Jones says.

“The project brings together science, innovation and industry expertise to rebuild the fishery.”

The fishery has remained closed following years of habitat degradation, sedimentation, and poor juvenile scallop survival. A feasibility study completed earlier this year confirmed traditional enhancement methods alone would not be enough to restore stocks.

A key component of the project will be the restoration of about 39ha of seabed, including the placement of thousands of cubic metres of mussel shell to improve habitat conditions for scallops and other marine species.

“This investment is about far more than scallops. It is about restoring marine habitat for scallops, improving biodiversity, and rebuilding the foundations of a fishery that supports economic, cultural, and community wellbeing,” Mr Jones says.

The project has strong backing from industry and iwi. CSEC’s shareholders include the eight Top of the South iwi and more than 20 commercial fishing and processing businesses.

The total project value is $5.02m, with industry contributing more than 60 percent of overall funding through cash and in-kind support. 

Modelling indicates the restored fishery could generate around $21m in new revenue over 20 years, delivering significant long-term benefits for the regional economy and the seafood sector.