Aquaculture in your region
Auckland Regional Council
Background
In the early 1990s, when the region’s coastal plan was being developed, there was little interest in aquaculture development. But, like other parts of the country, in 2000/2001 the region saw a marked increase in the number of applications being received for aquaculture development (18 applications totalling ~6,900 ha) – especially in the Firth of Thames area.
The regional council recognises that aquaculture is an important industry, but has established a set of guiding principles for aquaculture development (e.g. provision should be made for aquaculture, but at appropriate locations and scale; need to balance competing demands; need to safeguard the life supporting capacity of natural resources). To give these principles effect, in 2002 the council identified existing uses and values of the coastal marine area to see where aquaculture development constraints would exist – an exercise known as constraints mapping. At that time the council also began research to ascertain the carrying capacity for mussel farming in the Firth of Thames.
In 2002 a variation was proposed to the region’s coastal plan that included a revised policy framework and identified various aquaculture management areas. Hearings of submissions received on this variation have been on hold since mid-2006 when the council decided to investigate new planning tools (Invited Private Plan Change [IPPC] requests and Excluded Areas) that are now available.
What’s next
• The council is working with neighbouring Environment Waikato to update the constraints mapping of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. This information will be used to help identify possible areas where aquaculture should be excluded from where it might be more appropriate. The council is also involved in a joint project to increase Māori involvement in the aquaculture planning and implementation process. In 2007 these joint projects received funding from the government’s aquaculture planning fund.
• In March 2008 council gave approval to start ‘preliminary consultation’ on its draft aquaculture policy framework, and on indicative excluded areas. Council officers will meet with key stakeholders from industry, environmental groups, territorial authorities, government departments and iwi to discuss the concepts and directions proposed by council that will underpin the proposed draft policy framework. It is expected that the information gathered from this initial consultation along with continued work on constraints mapping will assist officers in defining the scope of the aquaculture policy before reporting back to council in August 2008. Wider and more thorough consultation will then begin at the end of August and run through to December.
Contact information
Auckland Regional Council
Coastal Policy
Private Bag 92-012
Auckland 1142
Phone: 09 366 2000 or 0800 80 60 40
Email: anaru.vercoe@arc.govt.nz; or dominic.mccarthy@arc.govt.nz
Website: www.arc.govt.nz
Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004
To find out about the iwi recognised under the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004 contact Raina Meha, Senior Policy Analyst for Aquaculture, Te Ohu Kaimoana at mehar@teohu.maori.nz or by calling 04 931 9500.
For an overview by region of interim harbour and coastal settlement obligations view the Ministry of Fisheries’ Aquaculture Settlement Register.
