Aquaculture in your region
Marlborough District Council
Background
Aquaculture was first established in Marlborough in the 1970s and over time has become Marlborough’s second largest industry. Currently the Marlborough Sounds is home to approximately 70 per cent of the New Zealand Aquaculture industry.
Current status
The Marlborough District Council is currently 80 per cent of the way through a review of the conditions of all marine farming permits with the intention of making all conditions consistent, clear and practical.
For example, until 2000 the technology to actually position the structures in the correct place on the water was inexact. As a result of this, many marine farms do not sit wholly within their permit boundaries; the majority being seaward. To ensure that all structures are correctly placed the council is working with marine farm owners to either validate their offsite structures or relocate them back onto site.
As regards new space for aquaculture through the Plan (Aquaculture Management Areas) process, council has not agreed to any particular position as yet, but is happy to consider suggestions from the community or industry.
Contact information
Coastal Planning Team
Marlborough District Council
PO Box 443
Blenheim 7240
Phone: 03 520 7400
Email: Tania Bray tania.bray@marlborough.govt.nz for policy matters or Keith Heather keith.heather@marlborough.govt.nz for consents matters
Website: http://www.marlborough.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.
