Aquaculture is the breeding and growing of animals and plants in the water. It can happen on land, in ponds or tanks, but most aquaculture in New Zealand is in the sea.

The main commercial species farmed in New Zealand are green lipped mussels and pacific oysters. Green lipped mussels are grown on lines suspended from floats on the surface, while Pacific oysters are grown on intertidal racks. Other species farmed include salmon, paua, snapper and kingfish.

There are three oyster farms in the Bay of Plenty. They are all in the Ohiwa Harbour and are approximately two hectares each in size. There is also one small-scale permit for a mussel farm at Factory Bay, Te Kaha that has not yet been developed.

Applications are currently being processed for two large mussel farms – a 3,800 hectare farm off Opotiki and a 4,009 hectare farm off Otamarakau.