Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley have welcomed the decision but have expressed disappointment that it took so long. According to the Ministers the announcement made by the Ministry of Fisheries’ of its final decision on the Tasman and Golden Bay Interim Aquaculture Management Area application includes 850 hectares of new aquaculture space.
Heatley informed that it is good this new space is finally being made available but it has been a trying and costly process for the local authorities, marine farmers and commercial fishers. Dr Smith told that said the delay was caused by rules that were not working and was another example of why the Government was overhauling the Resource Management Act and aquaculture law.
Dr Smith is disappointing to see how much time, energy and money has been lost going through a tortuous, almost 10-year long process under the RMA and aquaculture laws to get us to this point. It is told that every year the Government will introduce into Parliament reforms that will make it less difficult, costly and time consuming for projects to be considered and approved.
Heatley said that aquaculture is a valuable industry with huge potential for sustainable economic growth so the rules have to change. He added that the Tasman and Golden Bay local authorities have been trying to make aquaculture work for their region but their efforts have routinely been frustrated by problems with the law.
