Issue date
Whaingaroa Fisheries Company Limited has applied for a significant area (24.16ha) of space inside Whangaroa Harbour for marine farming. The area is completely inappropriate for aquaculture and it is important that boaties and clubs put in a submission to the Northland Regional Council voicing their concerns otherwise the bay may be lost.
The area of the harbour where the farm will be located covers scallop beds, recreational fishing grounds and areas where boats shelter in windy conditions. It will be difficult to get past the farm in high winds as boats will have to be virtually on the rocks to get through the narrow passages and it will be a nightmare at night if changing winds dictate a change of anchorage at 2 am in the morning.
The proposed location of the farming area takes up almost half of Owanga Bay blocking safe access to a number of anchorages and a Coastguard water buoy.
Here you will find the resource consent application and the submission form on the NRC website.
It is important that clubs and individuals put in submissions outlining their concerns and the implications it will have on recreational boating, including access to bays for anchorage and navigational safety.
Richard Brown of Auckland has commented “this bay is one of the top anchorages inside Whangaroa and I feel should be strongly opposed.”
Submissions close on the 9th of November.
Of note is that throughout YNZ’s work with the Northland Regional Council on Plan Change 4, it has been generally accepted that inside of Whangaroa Harbour is not appropriate for further aquaculture development.
For more information contact Andrew Clouston at Yachting New Zealand.
