More aquaculture area confirmed in Ministry decision
After a protracted, nine-year series of applications and enquiries to determine the future of aquaculture in Golden and Tasman Bays, the Ministry of Fisheries has released a decision in that supports its forward progress.
An extra 850 hectares of confirmed space for marine farming has been added to the area that TDC has already approved by way of resource consent. The 1151 hectares that are subject to negotiation with fishery quota holders represent another significant opportunity.
Tasman District Mayor Richard Kempthorne welcomed the release of the decision. "The council will encourage the various industry parties to resolve ongoing issues, and we will do whatever we can to help," said Mayor Kempthorne.
He said the council was committed to keeping things going and hoped everyone could move on to the next step. "We have spent too much time in court and the parties need to work on giving effect to the new opportunities that are opening up," Mayor Kempthorne said.
The decision follows an application by the council in January 2005 asking the chief executive of Ministry of Fisheries to approve the aquaculture management areas, which themselves followed a decision by the Environment Court, designating areas in the coastal area for aquaculture, a case which started in November 1999.
"While there has been frustration over the time it has taken to get to this point, I am pleased that we can move on to the next phase in what is an exciting economic opportunity for Tasman," said Mayor Kempthorne.
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At the time of publication of this edition The GB Weekly was unable to reach key figures in the Tasman District Council, the aquaculture industry and the community to get comment on the Ministry's decision. We will be following up on this issue during January.
