Carol Scott, CEO Challenger Finfisheries Management Company, said the legal step was being taken on behalf of the Challenger fisheries management companies, which were upset the Tasman District Council allowed two mussel companies to change their operation from six-monthly seasonal spat catching to year-round mussel farming.
The company would lodging judicial review proceedings in the High Court against the council decision to approve 100ha, with consent to increase to 500ha, of mussel farms over fishing grounds in the two bays, and against the Ministry of Fisheries over its decision to approve a further 480ha in Tasman Bay. Carol informed that the company is more concerned about the effects of annual mussel farming on fishing or fisheries resources.
According to Carol if the company had gone through a fair process and they had considered effects on other users then we would be able to have our case, comment on the proposal and we’d be able to see how they assess the effects. She told that the decision of the council to change the consents would set a dangerous precedent that would allow all aquaculture in the bays to change the activity at a site without consideration of the effects on fishing activity or stocks.
Meanwhile Ministry of Fisheries aquaculture manager Dan Lees said he was unaware of the pending legal action and therefore could not comment.
