Aquaculture in your region
Tasman District Council
Background
Under the Tasman District's proposed Aquaculture Management Areas (AMAs) there are 2637 ha in Golden Bay and 896 ha in Tasman Bay zoned for mussel farming. Of this zoned area, 96 ha are subject to existing permits for mussel farming only, 52 ha are subject to existing permits for mussel spat catching only, and 598 ha are subject to existing permits for both mussel farming and mussel spat catching. The remainder is subject to applications for spat catching.
The planning provisions for aquaculture are incorporated in the Proposed Tasman Resource Management Plan. Policy issues are in Chapter 22, and the relevant rules are in Chapter 25. The plan can be found on the Tasman District Councils website.
Current status
Tasman District Council's proposed AMAs resulted from a long-running Environment Court inquiry that eventually prompted the 2004 Aquaculture Reforms. The new legislation has created a mix of deemed AMAs and interim AMAs. Until final decisions are made on the interim AMAs the council will not proceed with any additional aquaculture management area planning.
In December 2008 the Ministry of Fisheries made a final decision on the 2,109 ha Tasman Interim Aquaculture Management Areas (AMAs) in Golden and Tasman Bays.
The Ministry’s final decision is to:
• approve 850 ha of new aquaculture space;
• decline 108 ha of space because of the effects it would have on fisheries resources; and
• decline a further 1151 ha of space because of its effects on commercial scallop fishing.
The 1151 ha that have been declined because of effects on commercial fishing can potentially proceed if commercial fishers and aquaculture interests reach an agreement.
Contact information
Coastal Planning Team
Tasman District Council
Private Bag 4
Richmond 7050
Phone: 03 543 8400
Email: Neil Jackson at neil.jackson@tdc.govt.nz for plan matters or Rosalind Squire at rosalind.squire@tdc.govt.nz for coastal permit matters
Website: www.tdc.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.
