28 February 2013

Salmon farm decision sets dangerous precedent

The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has run roughshod over local democracy by allowing four new salmon farms in the Marlborough Sounds, said Green Party fisheries spokesperson Steffan Browning.

Mr Browning was responding to the final decision by the EPA Board of Inquiry to allow new salmon farms in areas of the Marlborough Sounds in which aquaculture was prohibited under the Marlborough District Council’s district plan.

“New Zealanders don’t want companies overruling their community plans and polluting their pristine recreational water space, but that’s what this decision does,” said Mr Browning.

“I’ve been told that the four salmon farms approved today could create the human effluent equivalent of 143,000 people.

“This decision sets a dangerous precedent that companies can apply to build marine farms anywhere on New Zealand’s coastline.

“Not even areas identified by communities as off limits for development are safe.”

Reference:
EPA decision: http://www.epa.govt.nz/Resource-management/king-salmon

ENDS

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