Aquaculture

Overview of key aquaculture milestones

1. Preparation of indicative excluded areas and draft policy framework
2. Preliminary consultation
3. Review in response to outcome of preliminary consultation
4. Pre-notification consultation on draft excluded areas and revised draft policy framework
5. Council approval of draft excluded areas and policy framework revised after consultation
6. Publicly notify proposed policy framework and issue notice of excluded areas
7. Receive submissions on proposed policy framework
8. Hear and issue decisions on submissions
9. Receive any appeals
10. Possible issue of invitations for IPPCs to establish AMAs
11. Receive any IPPC requests
12. Accept or reject IPPCs for processing
13. Undue adverse effects on fisheries by Ministry of Fisheries
14. Publicly notify IPPCs for submissions
15. Receive and hear submissions
16. Determine IPPCs
17. Any new AMAs made operative in the coastal plan
18. Issue authorisations for marine farming in approved AMAs
19. Process consent applications (may be notified)
20.  Approved marine farming commences

Key consultation opportunities as the ARC develops its new aquaculture policy framework:

1. Preliminary consultation - inform stakeholders of ARC planning direction and future actions. Obtain feedback on draft excluded areas and draft policy framework (current stage).
2. Pre notification consultation - to obtain further feedback on draft excluded areas and draft policy framework (anticipated for August to December 2008).
3. Public notification of proposed replacement aquaculture provisions in Regional Coastal Plan - all parties have the opportunity to make submissions and be heard. Appeal rights apply (anticipated for February/March 2009). 
4. Issue IPPC Invitations - once the aquaculture policy framework is established in the coastal plan invite parties to lodge IPPC applications to establish AMAs (outside of excluded areas) - (anticipated for 2010, subject to appeals).
5. Public notification of any invited private plan change request to establish an AMA outside Excluded Areas - all parties have the opportunity to make submissions and be heard. Appeal rights apply (anticipated for 2010/2011).

Where we are now:

Commencement of Preliminary Consultation

In March 2008, the ARC resolved to endorse a draft Aquaculture Policy Framework and indicative Excluded Areas for preliminary consultation, see the map below. The ARC's draft policy framework adopts a precautionary approach to the assessment of requests for new AMA space. This recognises uncertainties and gaps in our knowledge about aquaculture and its potential adverse environmental effects, particularly given the increasing demands for use of the region's coastal marine area.  Take the following link to an 11th April 2008 press release on the position taken by the ARC over planning for future aquaculture in the region's coastal marine area