Dunedin had the potential to become the clam capital of New Zealand, but an application by Te Runanga o Otakou to establish a mataitai in Otago Harbour would prevent commercial harvesting of clams, Southern Clams director Roger Belton, of Dunedin, said.
Last year, the company applied to the Ministry of Fisheries for a special permit to study the potential of harvesting clams in the middle banks of the Otago Harbour.
That permit is likely to be superseded by the mataitai proposal, which would effectively prevent any commercial fishing operation in the Otago Harbour, Mr Belton said.
Initially, the mataitai was to be for the area in front of the Otakou marae, but that area was widened to include the whole harbour after the runanga consulted with key stakeholders.
Mr Belton said while Southern Clams initially supported the establishment of a mataitai in front of the marae, it rejected a proposal to take in the whole harbour.
"The clam resource in the harbour is the largest stock of good quality littleneck clams in any New Zealand waters, it represents an enormous opportunity for regional development, it would be a sad day if it were locked up out of ignorance of scientific facts."
Clams taken from the Otago Harbour had the potential to rival the Bluff oyster fishery, he said.
Mr Belton rejected claims by runanga chairman Tahu Potiki that the proposed mataitai would stop cockles from "being plundered".
The latest independent survey on the company's harvesting area in Blueskin Bay, the sixth in 25 years, reveal the virgin clam biomass is 12,000 tonnes, the same number before harvesting began 25 years ago.
"We have the evidence to prove it is a sustainable fishery . . . We have never fished it down."
Speaking from a trade show in China, where he was marketing the clams, demand for clams is "taking off", he said.
At present Southern Clams exports to Asia, Europe and North America, with the domestic market showing strong potential for growth.
A Ministry of Fisheries spokesman confirmed three written submissions on the proposed mataitai had so far been received, with more expected by the December 19 closing date.
