Marine farm moratorium costs Northland

Northland’s economy is being affected by a standstill over marine farming, says Whangarei MP Phil Heatley.

But the government says it is important appropriate planning is done in culturally and environmentally significant waterways.

In 2001, the government put a moratorium on new marine farms while it refined aquaculture legislation.

The aquaculture reforms came into effect in January 2005, with a law saying new marine farms must be in specific Aquaculture Management Areas.

But, three years later, not one new area has been created in the country, says Mr Heatley, who is also National’s fisheries spokesman.

The reality is a huge opportunity has been lost for Northland, he says.

Maori, who have been promised 20 percent of Aquaculture Management Areas, are yet to receive any and are also missing out, he says.

"They’ve been promised a whole lot of aquaculture space as part of this fisheries settlement. Regardless of how you feel about the deal it was a promise and they haven’t seen any of it," he says.

"It’s a huge opportunity for our Maori youth in the North to be involved in the industry."

New Zealand used to be leading-edge in the aquaculture industry but since the moratorium, other countries like Argentina have been taking over, he says.

Mr Heatley believes the law, which works under the Resource Management Act, needs to be refined and streamlined.

"Clearly we don’t want the Whangarei Harbour filled with aquaculture but there must be areas where it’s suitable and not in conflict with other users."

Fisheries minister Jim Anderton says New Zealand must take care to plan new development in coastal waters – which is close to the hearts of New Zealanders.

The minister says it is also important for everyone in the community to have their views considered, and that the process to establish Aquaculture Management Areas, done with the community, takes time.

In the last year, the government has allocated $900,000 for priority projects to help implement the aquaculture reforms, he says.

"Government officials are working closely with the Northland Regional Council, Tangata Whenua, industry stakeholders and other interested parties to advance the development of appropriate aquaculture in the Northland area," he says.

A further $2 million fund has been set up so regional councils can apply for help with aquaculture planning.

The Northland Regional Council has received $230,000 so far, more than half of the money allocated.

Mr Anderton says while no new Aquaculture Management Areas have been established, there is a backlog of marine farm applications made under the old regime.

These applications are being worked through and most will be completed in 2008, he says.