The proposed site for the trial is 6km from the western shore of D'Urville Island. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
An open ocean project to trial new technologies for farming finfish has been granted consent to go ahead in Tasman Bay, near D'Urville Island.
The multi-year project, by Plant and Food Research, was considered by an independent panel under the now-repealed Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act.
The panel found the small farm would not cause harm to the environment with measures in place to mitigate any potential adverse effects on marine mammals, seabirds, landscape, natural character, visual amenity, the water column or the seabed.
They included the restricted size and the design of the fish enclosure, engineering and lighting certifications, restricted fish density and feed rates, management plans with environment triggers and potential responses and monitoring.
The consent was granted, subject to a number of conditions.
The proposed 3.6 hectare site is 6km from the western shore of D'Urville Island (Sauvage Point) and within an existing mussel farm owned by the Wakatū Incorporation.
The project is part of a multi-year research programme trialling new technologies for open-ocean finfish alongside the biological needs of fish.
The trials will include snapper and salmon - and potentially other finfish species like trevally, yellowtail kingfish and tarakihi.
Four initial phases are proposed, with a possible further seven if funding and time allow.