ARC drafts new aquaculture policy framework

Below is a powerpoint presentation on the ARC's new draft aquaculture policy.  The Council is doing a preliminary consultation on this at present (April - July 2008) that includes presentations to stakeholder groups.  

Click here to open and view or download a copy of this presentation in Adobe PDF. 

Oyster Farm gains final approvals 

Despite opposition from local iwi and from the community, the proposed 70ha large-scale aquaculature factory in the southern Kaipara has been given the green light by the Minister of Conservation.

An appeal for resource consents by Biomarine Ltd to permit a 104 ha oyster farm offshore from the southern side of Okahukura Peninsula, was heard by the Environment Court last year.

An interim decision  reduced the size of the proposed oyster farm by about 34ha, to avoid covering an area of rare subtidal zostera seagrass.  The proposal recently gained ministerial approval to proceed.

The ARC is now reviewing its aquaculture planning and is expected to introduce a new scheme which excludes aquaculture in areas of significant benthic marine ecosystem, but allows aquaculture in other areas of the harbour.  This proposal will be open for public consultation later this year.