Marine farm still on hold

Sanford plans to keep its options open on starting a marine farm north of Dunedin.

A three-year moratorium on applications for new marine farms was lifted on December 31 after the passing of the Aquaculture Reform Bill, which allocates to Maori 20 per cent of marine farming allocated since 1992 and 20 per cent of any new areas.

Fisheries Minister David Benson-Pope said the lifting of the moratorium meant the $1 billion-a-year potential of the aquaculture industry could now be realised.

Under the new act, regional councils will decide how they allocate aquaculture management areas, designated coastal sites that will allow marine farms within their confines.

Plans by Sanford to establish Otago's first marine farm, a 3km by 3.5km operation near Karitane, were put on hold by the moratorium.

Sanford aquaculture manager Ted Culley said the company's plans depended on where the Otago Regional Council decided to allow aquaculture management areas.

- NZPA