Marlborough Fishers Reject Fish Farm Plan

The Marlborough Sounds is already at a crisis point with sedimentation and effluent from existing aquaculture says the Marlborough Recreational Fishers Assn. It made the point in submissions opposing a resource consent application by a Dutch company Skrettings to set up a fish farm research complex in a quiet Marlborough Sounds inlet called Okiwi Bay.

MRFA opposed the King Salmon expansion in Queen Charlotte Sound and expressed strong reservations about expansion of mussel farming areas that the Marlborough District Council was allowing.

"The ecosystem is already showing finite limits to aquaculture with growth rates on mussels reportedly declining,” said MRFA chairman Peter Watson.

The Marlborough Sounds was a major public recreational and tourist area.

"Further aquaculture and associated ventures such as Skrettings will further “detract from the amenities” and public enjoyment and use” he said.

Skrettings proposed to construct and operate a "finfish research facility" and to operate a hazardous goods facility and discharge contaminated seawater from a finfish research facility into Okiwi Bay. The pipeline would occupy the seabed in Okiwi Bay. The company's plans to discharge into Okiwi Bay by a popular beach, the local boat ramp and a swimming area with effluent was unacceptable

"The applicant states it will discharge effluent for three hours before and after high tide. The bay configuration will not disperse effluent”.

MRFA said fish farming was no panacea for mismanaged and over-exploited fisheries.

"Aquaculture by its very nature of crowded ponds heightens the risk of diseases. Fish losses have been high at King Salmon’s farms and often “unexplained” while sediment containing excess food and fish excreta has degraded the sea bed. It is appreciated Skrettings is a land based operation but it is still serving fish farming.”

MRFA’s Peter Watson questioned why Skretting’s despite world-wide research agreements, wanted to “invade" Okiwi Bay an hour and a half’s driive from Nelson or Picton.

"Why should Okiwi Bay be illogically exploited for private corporate profit?” he said

ENDS

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