Ministry considers giant marine farm

1.00pm

The Ministry of Fisheries is a step closer to deciding whether to allow a giant marine farm off D'Urville Island to proceed.

Wakatu Incorporation plans to build a 770ha mussel farm, the structures of which will be submerged about 10m beneath the ocean's surface.

The Marlborough District Council granted resource consent for the farm in May last year, but the development has been held up pending the ministry's decision on whether to issue a marine farming permit.

The consent was appealed to the Environment Court by Friends of the Nelson Haven and Tasman Bay, because of fears about navigation and potential adverse environmental effects.

The development has also been opposed by commercial fishers, who fear it will impinge on traditional fishing grounds.

Acting senior fisheries management adviser Dan Lees said the ministry had received scientific research into the proposed farm, prepared by the Cawthron Institute on behalf of Wakatu.

He said the research was a detailed study into the ecological implications of the proposed farm for fisheries resources and habitats.

The research was being reviewed by independent scientific experts before the ministry released its preliminary decision on the permit.

Mr Lees said the ministry had already consulted with recreational and commercial fishers, Maori and environmental groups.

Further consultation would take place after the preliminary decision was released, and the ministry hoped to make a final decision later this year.

Wakatu was declined resource consent for a second 825ha marine farm in the same area because of concerns it would create a navigational hazard.

It appealed the decision to the Environment Court, but agreed to drop the appeal if Friends allowed it to proceed with stage one of the 770ha farm by putting initial structures into the water to test its technology.

Council resource consents officer Keith Heather said the court was due to decide in the next few weeks whether to allow stage one of the farm to proceed, but Wakatu would still need to obtain a ministry permit.

- NZPA