Report of the Aquaculture Technical Advisory Group is an excellent work stating the government’s programme of legislative reform for the sector was progressing well, applauds Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley. He told that the submissions came from a wide range of stakeholders who are vitally interested in this area of great potential for New Zealand’s economic future.
Heatley also informed that all submissions will be seriously considered as we move into the next phase of realising this potential. The advisory group, chaired by Sir Doug Kidd, was set up to provide options for overhauling the current aquaculture regime. It delivered its report in early November and submissions closed on 16 December.
Official source said that there were a total of 223 submissions were received, 80 of which came from the recreational sector. Other well represented stakeholders were the aquaculture industry, environmental interests, customary fishers, commercial interests and local government. Public meeting s were held in the country to discuss key issues like the role of government in allowing for marine farming, the aquaculture levy proposed by the advisory group, resource consent renewals, regionally specific transition to the new regime, the “undue adverse effects” (UAE) test on fishing, and delivery of the Aquaculture Settlement for Maori.
It is said that the next step in the process is cabinet consideration of proposals followed by the drafting of a bill which will be referred to a select committee. The select committee will call for public submissions. It is expected the bill will be introduced to Parliament in mid 2010.
