Marlborough Sounds Salmon Working Group to be established

Marlborough Sounds Salmon Working Group to be established

The Marlborough District Council and the Ministry for Primary Industries will establish a Marlborough Sounds Salmon Working Group to consider options to implement the Best Management Practice Guidelines for Salmon Farming in the Marlborough Sounds (the guidelines). Other agencies that will have input into the process include the Department of Conservation and the Ministry for the Environment.

The working group will meet starting in July and provide recommendations to Marlborough District Council and the Government on implementing the guidelines.

Ministry for Primary Industries Deputy Director General Ben Dalton said the public, the council, government and industry have shown a commitment to implement the guidelines.

“These guidelines were developed by local and central government, industry and scientists in 2014 to set out recommendations for sustainable salmon farming in the Sounds.

“The next step is to work with iwi, the community and industry to look at options for salmon farming in the Marlborough Sounds so that the best environmental, social and economic outcomes are being realised,” he said.

Working group membership is currently being finalised. It will include representation from Marlborough District Council, Ministry for Primary Industries, key community and interest groups, iwi and New Zealand King Salmon.

Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman welcomed the constructive approach being taken by all parties in the search for solutions.

“The best practice guidelines were aimed at meeting the needs of the community and continuing to be a world leader in sustainable aquaculture. It’s vital we work alongside each other to ensure those guidelines can be met,” said Mr Sowman.

The working group’s recommendations will not be binding, but will inform future planning work for both the Marlborough District Council and central government.

ENDS

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