Appeal against Marlborough Sounds marine farms

The Department of Conservation opposes expanding the mussel farming area in an outer Marlborough Sounds bay.

At an Environment Court hearing into the effects of two proposed farms on the dusky dolphin population in Admiralty Bay, DoC lawyer Fiona McLeod said further disruption of the dolphins' habitat was unacceptable.

Kuku Mara Partnership is appealing against a decision by the Marlborough District Council in 2000 to decline an application for a resource consent to build two 42.5ha farms.