Aquaculture variation gets across the line for Marlborough environment plan

Decisions have been made on two variations to aquaculture rules in Marlborough's proposed environment plan.

The proposed plan sets out what people can do on their land, how it may be developed, and how individuals, businesses and the wider community may use public resources such as fresh water and coastal space.

Last week the Marlborough District Council met to confirm that one of two variations relating to marine and finfish farming in the region had got across the line.

Variation 1 regarding marine farming was confirmed, but with amendments to address matters raised in submissions, a release from the council stated.

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The provisions sought to provide certainty of tenure for existing marine farms – of which there are 580 – while recognising that there were environmental limits to growth in marine farming within the Marlborough Sounds.

Areas appropriate for marine farming were also identified as aquaculture management areas.

Most of the existing marine farms were provided for within those areas.

Variation 1 also provided for innovation on existing marine farms by enabling changes in farmed species and farm structures.

Chairperson of the council's Environment and Planning Committee councillor Gerald Hope said it was a huge undertaking to determine the changes that would impact almost 600 marine farms.

"The panel took their task very seriously and applied appropriate rigour to the process, assisted by the evidence provided by submitters."

Hope thanked the panel and those who made submissions for consideration.

"The Sounds coastal environment and our marine farming industries are both very important to Marlborough," he said.

While the first variation was successful, the second, Variation 1A regarding finfish farming, was not.

The variation, influenced by the Ministry for Primary Industries, was focused on relocating salmon farms in the Sounds.

Submissions sent in to the panel highlighted issues with consultation and the variation not providing enough for current and future technological changes.

Environmental changes including rising sea temperatures were also cited as issues that would create challenges for finfish farming in the Sounds.

At last Thursday's Council meeting the decision was made to withdraw Variation 1A, the statement read.

The hearings panel said provisions for managing finfish farming in Marlborough's coastal marine area were still needed, and recommended a further process to enable its development using a working group which would include tangata whenua and key stakeholders, the statement said.

"Anyone who has previously submitted may appeal the Council's decision to the Environment Court."