Issue date
Yachting New Zealand continues to protect New Zealand’s cruising hot spots and race routes with advocacy work for boaties, and the proof is in the pudding with the latest decision on aquaculture positioning in Northland.
A decade ago, an increasing demand for aquaculture activities to be set up sparked a flurry of discussions amongst YNZ, land owners, iwi groups and potential aquaculture businesses as to where it should be allowed.
After years of mediation, and changes to legislation, working with the Northland Yachting Association and Auckland Yachting & Boating Association, YNZ’s proposed areas to limit aquaculture in Northland were accepted in a court decision released in September.
Participation and Development Manager Andrew Clouston says there has been much thought put into the proposed areas for aquaculture in order to achieve a fair compromise for both recreational water uses and those wanting to create businesses through aquaculture.
“This was probably the best outcome we could have asked for. There was concern on our side about the potential navigational hazards which these farms would create and loss of anchorages for boaties, , this decision is in the best interests of everyone,” he adds.
Large areas along the coast have been excluded from future aquaculture proposals including most of the Bay of Islands, Whangarei (Bream Bay), Cape Karikari, and the Whangaroa Harbour.
“Some proposed aquaculture development would have cut right through Bay of Island Sailing Week race courses, and also in common safe anchorages,” he says.
Environment law barrister Jeremy Brabant concluded that Yachting New Zealand had made appropriate decisions on where aquaculture should be placed.
“The outcome is important as it protects large areas of the Northland coast used by boaties. Anyone looking to establish a marine farm cannot apply for resource consent in these areas.”
He adds that in order for the prohibition on aquaculture in these areas to be overturned, an application for a plan change would need to be lodged.
Yachting New Zealand CEO David Abercrombie notes that they are not opposed to aquaculture entirely, so long as farms are positioned appropriately.
“Yachting New Zealand considers that it is important that the aquaculture development takes place in areas where there will be no adverse effect on the community’s access to water for recreational use,” he says.
Advocacy work is always going on behind the scenes at YNZ, but is driven by the need to protect New Zealand’s maritime culture and history, the high recreation value of the coastal marine area, and to maintain in the best interests of boaties across the country.
Maps of the final proposed or ‘no-go” zones in Northland will be available on the YNZ website soon.
