The three areas where undaria will be allowed, subject to MAF approval, are the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and Banks Peninsula.
MAF will consider applications to farm undaria in areas in the sounds that align with the coastal marine zones in the Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan. Farming would be prohibited in coastal marine zone one but would be considered in areas within coastal marine zone two. The expert group considered farms in the sounds to be
heavily infested with undaria. "As farming occurs extensively throughout zone two, it is reasonable to assume these areas would meet the defi nition of a heavily infested area," the group said in its report. The group proposed that undaria farming within zone
two be restricted to areas close to and adjacent to the shore. "These are the only areas that have been characterised as heavily infested with undaria. Farming undaria outside of heavily infested areas could exacerbate the impact of undaria. "In addition, under the resource management plan,
establishing a marine farm within 50m or beyond 200m of the mean low-water mark is a non-complying activity." There was very limited farming outside of zone two, and these areas were unlikely to meet the defi nition of "heavily infested", since the group indicated it was the farms, rather than the shoreline, that were heavily infested in the sounds. Farms outside zone two were also of limited size and number, and any type of marine farming would have signifi cant adverse effects on natural character, ecological systems, cultural, residential and amenity values. The expert group considered Wellington Harbour to
be heavily infested, and farming was likely to pose limited additional risk to values within the vicinity. The port area of the harbour was not considered suitable. Lyttelton Harbour was heavily infested, and farming was
also likely to pose limited additional risk to the values within the vicinity. MAF would consider farming applications within Akaroa Harbour, excluding the entrance to the harbour and port area. Marine farms and boats within Akaroa were heavily infested with undaria, which was fi rst detected in Akaroa Harbour in 2000. However, more data was required before any decision could be made about whether it would be appropriate to consider farming in Akaroa Harbour. DoC had therefore undertaken an on-the-ground survey of the harbour, based on MAF's defi nition of a heavily infested area. Their survey indicated undaria was present throughout most
suitable habitat in the harbour and signifi cant proportions of the central stretches were classifi ed as heavily infested.
Undaria now competes with our native seaweeds
Undaria on mussel ropes remain a pest
Akaroa Harbour, excluding the existing marine farms, is a taiapure under the Fisheries Act. A taiapure is an area of special signifi cance to Iwi or hapu, either as a food source or for spiritual or cultural reasons.
MARCH/APRIL 2012 ■
NZ AQUACULTURE ■
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