Application 124771 - Ministry of Fisheries

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2011) identified that the aquaculture industry contributed $31.4 million to
Waikato’s regional GDP in 2010/11. In respect of this application, potential socioeconomic
effects include employment opportunities from managing, transporting
and processing additional product.
4.2.3 The applicant would continue to utilise their existing land-based facilities and
support infrastructure associated with the existing consented farm. The applicant
considers these facilities to be sufficient and adequate to service the proposed
one hectare extension.
4.2.4 In terms of socio-economic impacts on other parties, the extension to the farm
would contribute to the recreational fishing opportunities for boating fishers near
the farm. It is currently common practice for recreational fishers to tie up to
mussel buoys and fish within the farmed areas. Public access to the farm would
not be restricted.
4.2.5 In respect of cultural effects it is considered that the extension would have no
impacts on cultural matters. The applicant is not aware that the site of the
extension is of any significance to tangata whenua. To the knowledge of the
applicant, no cultural issues have been raised in relation to farming in this area.
4.3 Any physical effect on the locality, including any landscape and visual effects
Landscape and Visual Effects
4.3.1 The proposed farm extension is located on the northern and western edges of the
existing farm. The extension is at its closest boundary approximately (but no
closer than) 50 metres from shore. The visual impact of the additional one
hectare over and above the impact of the existing farm is considered to be less
than minor. There are no dwellings overlooking the existing farm.
4.3.2 The farm is located offshore from Moturua Island. The natural character of the
area is already altered by the presence of the existing 3 farms. Moturua Island is
uninhabited and is primarily bush clad. The proposed additional one hectare
would have minimal additional impact on the natural character of the area due to
the small size of the extension and the distance off-shore. In addition the visibility
of the buoys is only a smaller proportion of the overall surface area of the farm
due to the requirement to accommodate the anchor warps (which are beneath
the water line).
4.3.3 The plan requires orange buoys to delineate the farms (corners and middle of the
most seaward and most landward lines). This not only identifies each farm block
but it also has a significant safety role, as it serves to warn other users of the
marine environment of the farm boundaries. Therefore although bright in colour,
these buoys serve as an extra navigational aid for other marine users.
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