Recreational fishers fear plans to make aquaculture development easier could drive them off the water.
Consultation has been underway on a report from an aquaculture technical advisory group on industry reforms before the drafting of new legislation.
The Government's goal is to turn aquaculture - currently worth $360 million a year - into a $1b contributor to the economy by 2025.
The Recreational Fishing Council says that before a 28-month moratorium ended in 2004, aquaculture development was out of control.
Before then, says president Geoff Rowling, a huge amount of sea space was swallowed up through various applications.
Aquaculture New Zealand says it has no intention of returning to those so-called "gold rush" days.
