08 November 2011
Media Release: Environmental Defence Society calls for freeze on King Salmon proposals in Sounds
The Environmental Defence Society has called on King Salmon Ltd to put its proposals for more marine farming in the
Marlborough Sounds on hold.
Its proposal involves two plan change requests and nine resource consent applications for eight new salmon farming sites
in Pelorus Sound, Port Gore, Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound.
The applications have just been called in by the government for a blended hearing before the Environmental Protection
Authority.
"We have no problem with the call-in," said EDS Chairman Gary Taylor.
"But we think that proceeding to a hearing on these proposals is not the best way forward for King Salmon or for the
Marlborough Sounds.
"There is already an enormous amount of aquaculture going on in the Sounds. There are real questions about the area's
capacity to absorb more. The Sounds are nationally important for their landscape values, which puts King Salmon on a
collision course with those that value landscape. They are also important to the sustainable tourism sector.
"We would like to see all parties pause and engage in a collaborative process - call it the Sounds Forum - that would look at the long-term future of the area and produce a marine spatial plan. This should be done outside
the confines of the Resource Management Act and would examine where marine farming is acceptable and where it is not.
"It would also take a strategic look at other activities in the Sounds including anchorages, open space and other uses.
A spatial plan could consider whether mussel farming sites should be made available for higher value salmon farming and
could examine the water quality impacts of both. This would give everyone certainty about the future
"If the regional or unitary councils agree to sponsor the exercise that would enable access to the Sustainable Farming
Fund to fund the Sounds Forum.
"Proceeding with more ad hoc proposals like these ones from King Salmon Ltd is not the right way forward. It is likely to be conflict-ridden and
time consuming, even with call-in.
"We will shortly be approaching King Salmon, which we believe to be a responsible and thoughtful company, to see if it
might agree to proceed with a spatial planning initiative and put its proposals on hold for 12 months," Mr Taylor
concluded.