Aquaculture in your region
Environment Canterbury
Background
Canterbury has a number of existing marine farms located around Banks Peninsula, primarily farming mussels. Further marine farms have been consented but not yet built, including a large 2695-ha farm in the more exposed waters of Pegasus Bay.
Environment Canterbury has primary responsibility for the allocation of water space to aquaculture in Canterbury. At this stage the council does not propose to initiate the establishment of AMAs itself, but has been investigating the "invited" privately initiated plan change process and has formally identified “excluded areas” along the Canterbury coast.
Current status
Environment Canterbury has progressed towards implementing the aquaculture reform legislation through the Private ly Initiated Plan Change process. The first stage of this was the identification of excluded areas, which were notified in February 2007.
Prior to implementing the next steps by inviting proposals for a plan change, the process for resolving any overlapping applications needs to be clarified. Central government are currently working towards resolving this issue.
In April 2008, Environment Canterbury were granted an Aquaculture Planning Fund allocation to develop the policy, process and documentation needed for a privately initiated plan change process. Note that this project is focused on initial preparatory phase only, and does not include an actual formal calling of requests for private initiated plan changes to create aquaculture management areas.
Contact information
Coastal Planning Team
Environment Canterbury
PO Box 345
Christchurch
Phone: 03 365 3828
Website: www.ecan.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.
