Application 124771 - Ministry of Fisheries

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Sugar Loaf wharf through management of activities such as vehicle movements, parking,
storage of equipment and noise.
4.4 The proposed navigation aids will adequately mitigate any potential impacts on
navigation.
4.5 A rigorous maintenance regime will be undertaken to ensure the security of the
structures as the cost of lost and damaged lines, buoys and mussel product is
economically significant.
4.6 In respect of Exotic Disease Management, while it is recognised that the presence of an
algal bloom will impact on harvesting, it is almost always only toxic to humans and almost
never would it kill any stock on the lines. It is also to be noted that the Mussel Industry
Council has developed a draft plan to guide response to exotic diseases. This plan meets
the requirements of MAF Biosecurity for controlling the potential spread of exotic
diseases in the aquaculture industry. The applicant would fully co-operate with the
implementation of this plan. (Ref: NZ Mussel Industry Council Ltd, 2004. Exotic Disease
Response Plan. Draft Version 1). In addition it is noted that the Aquaculture Industry is
developing a Mussel Industry Biosecurity Contingency Plan. In the event of any incursion,
both these documents would be drawn upon in any response.
5. Consultation
5.1 No consultation has been undertaken in respect of the proposed extension to the existing
farm. It is relied on that the provisions of the legislative changes and the amendments to
the RCP would have publicly heralded the application.
5.2 It is submitted that neither tangata whenua nor any other people would be adversely
affected by the proposed extension, given the existing use of the area as a marine farm.
6. Monitoring
6.1 The RMA requires a description of the monitoring that would be undertaken, where the
scale or significance of effects is such that monitoring is required. The applicant does not
consider the effects would be significant (based on the scientific information in Appendix
2).
6.2 The baseline survey submitted with the AEE shows that the site is not located over any
sensitive substrates, and being a standard farm is likely to show similar effects as per
other sites monitored in the Coromandel area. Measuring any effects from the 1 ha
extension would be considerably impacted by the larger adjacent farmed areas. It is
therefore contended that the need for a monitoring plan is not appropriate.
6.3 The applicant currently participates in mandatory water quality monitoring programmes.
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