‘Yes and no’, says salmon panel
Three Marlborough Sounds salmon farms are closer to relocation after the findings of a report were released this week.
The report was written for the Ministry for Primary Industries by an independent advisory panel and provided to the previous government in July 2017.
The panel considered written submissions and held hearings through April and May last year regarding a proposal to relocate up to six Marlborough Sounds salmon farms to more environmentally sustainable, high-flow sites.
There are currently 12 sites in the Marlborough Sounds that have resource consent for finfish farming. The proposed new sites were put forward as potential substitutes for existing consented sites.
Released by Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash on Tuesday, the report recommended that three salmon farms be relocated from Otanerau Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound to Tio Point in Tory Channel, Waihinau Bay to Richmond Bay South – both in Pelorus Sound – and Ruakaka Bay to Horseshoe Bay in Pelorus Sound.
The panel considered relocation of the three farms would enable New Zealand King Salmon to improve environmental outcomes without sacrificing jobs and economic returns.
The panel declined to recommend the relocation of three other sites.
The report said relocation would reduce adverse effects on the seabed, lessen the visual impacts of the farm sites on the natural landscapes and features of the Sounds, and improve fish health.
Nash said while he was yet to form a view on its findings, the report had been released in order to update all interested parties.
A decision on the relocation proposal was not likely to be made until the second half of this year.
Nash said he intended to discuss the report with a number of people, agencies and iwi who were following the issue closely.
‘‘In particular, I intend to work closely with the Marlborough District Council around the best process from here. I also intend to ensure the voices of all iwi in the area are heard. Further, I will
‘‘If all 9 hectares were relocated, an estimated 407 direct and indirect jobs would be created . . .’’ Grant Rosewarne
allow time for the Ministry for Primary Industries to undertake scientific work around water quality and to test policy and legal advice.’’
New Zealand King Salmon chief executive Grant Rosewarne said he was delighted the report supported his belief that aquaculture played a key role in ‘‘sustainably feeding the planet’’.
‘‘The fact that the panel has recommended three of the six sites under consideration be relocated upholds the scientific rationale that higher flow sites are most suitable, and that our existing low-flow salmon farms can and should be relocated,’’ he said.
‘‘Specifically, the panel acknowledged the ‘distinct environmental advantages’ for benthic health as a result of relocation, alongside ‘minor or less than minor’ effects on the local King shag species and the wider water column.’’
Rosewarne said a positive final decision by the government would contribute to even better environmental, social and economic outcomes for the Marlborough region without increasing the space being occupied.
‘‘If all 9 hectares were relocated, an estimated 407 direct and indirect jobs would be created for the company and regional New Zealand once new sites were fully commissioned.’’
A June 2017 report by Davidson Environmental for King Salmon outlined the results of a benthic biological survey of central and south-eastern Tory Channel that revealed several potential new sites of ecological interest, featuring eelgrass, sponge garden and coral-like species.
Guardian of the Sounds spokeswoman Clare Pinder said it was ‘‘imperative’’ the minister took into account the Davidson report findings when making his final decision.