Marlborough Sounds, where the three new salmon farms will be installed. (Photo: marlboroughtravel.co.nz)
NEW ZEALAND
Wednesday, August 20, 2014, 01:00 (GMT + 9)
Three new salmon farms have been approved in the Marlborough Sounds by Conservation Minister Nick Smith, putting an end to a legal struggle that started three years ago.
The authorisation of these ventures arises after the approval of Plan Change 24 by the minister. The settlement took place at the Marlborough District Council, where Mayor Alistair Sowman and representatives from NZ King Salmon were also present.
“These three new salmon farms at Waitata and Richmond in Pelorus Sound and Ngamahau in Tory Chanel are hugely important to Nelson and Marlborough’s aquaculture industry and wider economy. They will enable NZ King Salmon to grow its products from the current 6000 tonnes per year to 9000 tonnes per year in 2015 and 13,000 tonnes per year by 2033. These new farms will grow our GDP by NZD 120 million (USD 101.8 million) per year, our exports by NZD 50 million (USD 42.4 million) and employment by 150 new jobs,” Minister Smith pointed out.
The Minister’s approval of Plan Change 24 is the final stage of the legal process following the application in 2011 by NZ King Salmon for a plan change to make salmon farming a discretionary activity in eight locations. The proposed plan change was referred to the Environmental Protection Authority Board of Inquiry that received 1272 submission of which 722 opposed, 358 supported and 118 indicated mixed positions.
The Minister also approved Plan Change 26, a technical change to the Marlborough Sounds Coastal Plan arising from the Government’s aquaculture reforms.
Smith explained he is considering options for a more collaborative approach to Marlborough Sounds coastal planning in the future and that salmon is a superb product to sit aside the region’s world class wine and mussels.
“I am confident that with goodwill and balance we can grow Nelson and Marlborough’s salmon industry while also protecting the conservation and recreation values of the Sounds,” Smith concluded.
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