Aquaculture Law ReformAdd RSS Feed What is RSS?

Nov 2009

In July 2009 the government set up an aquaculture technical advisory group (TAG) as an independent expert body to advise on the reform. The TAG was comprised of aquaculture practitioners and industry representatives; chaired by the Hon Sir Douglas Kidd, the members were Mike Burrell, Dennis Bush-King, Mark Farnsworth, Nici Gibbs, Keir Volkerling and Kirsty Woods. The TAG was briefed to develop independent proposals on aquaculture reform.
They have produced a TAG report which is available online at the following link:

http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Consultations/Restarting+Aquaculture/default.htm

The TAG report looks at how the Resource Management Act and other parts of the regulatory regime for aquaculture can be reformed so that they do work for the aquaculture industry, while continuing to ensure environmental sustainability. The underlying purpose of the report is to “normalise” aquaculture within the context of the RMA.

The proposals in the report include:

  • Where possible, to eliminate steps, introduce parallel processes to compress timeframes, and rationalise cost (such as centralising the aquaculture functions within government);
  • To enhance the role of government in the implementation of the regime, including recommending the appointment of a responsible Minister and establishing an aquaculture agency within the Ministry of Fisheries to drive the implementation of these reforms;
  • Recognising that aquaculture development costs, therefore an Aquaculture Fund is proposed and an Aquaculture Levy to maintain that fund. Regional councils and the Aquaculture Agency will be able to access this fund to undertake aquaculture planning, and therefore reduce the disincentive to plan for aquaculture. It is recommended that the industry levy be set at between $100 and $200 per hectare per annum.

The key recommendations are helpfully summarised in pages 10-15 of the TAG report. Submissions giving feedback on the TAG report are being sought by 5.00pm Wednesday, 16 December 2009.

Comments should be provided in writing, preferably by email, to: aquaculturesubmissions@fish.govt.nz

Alternatively, submissions can be posted to:

Aquaculture Submissions
Ministry of Fisheries
PO Box 1020
Wellington

A Select Committee will then consider the submissions and put forward a proposed policy foraquaculture reform to Cabinet for approval in early 2010.

If you have an interest in the TAG report, would like to lodge a submission, and want assistance with the process please contact our Resource Management Team.

 

Prepared by Jackie St John

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