APPENDIX I: Information Requirements

1. The location (including surveyed grid references) and area to be occupied by the proposed marine farm.
2. Details of the consultation undertaken with tangata whenua having responsibilities in the area applied for.
3. The species to be farmed.
4. The farm layout details, including the type and number of structures to be used, their placement, and the extent to which the structure may be surface, subsurface or inter-tidal.
5. The requirements for land-based facilities, and the availability and adequacy of any current land-based facilities.
6. The extent to which the operation of the marine farm will impact on water quality.
7. The extent to which the marine farm will impact on navigation safety, e.g. major navigation routes.
8. The extent to which the marine farm will adversely affect natural coastal processes.
9. The extent to which the farm operation is likely to result in erosion, scouring, or silting.
10. An outline of the possible cumulative effects of the farm.
11. The likely impact of the farm on the biomass of plankton communities.
12. Details on the management of non-biodegradable products and waste materials.
13. Details on the hydrodynamic regime and sea bed ecology of the proposed farm area, including:
1. Composition of the substratum (e.g. sand, rock, shell, boulder, cobble, pebble) and their relative location and depth with respect to the proposed marine farm.
2. Dominant surface dwelling community types (e.g. horse mussel, red algae, bryozoan, brachiopod) and their relative location and abundance with respect to the proposed marine farm.
3. The presence of any uncommon or patchily distributed biota (e.g. burrowing anemone).
4. Observations of tidal current direction and relative strength.
14. Proposed landing, loading and unloading location(s).

In addition to the above, a detailed ecological study may be required for a marine farm proposal depending on the potential adverse effects on ecological values identified in the information gathered above. Further details on the investigative studies required are provided in a guideline prepared for Environment Waikato¹.

1. Davidson RJ (1999) Guideline for ecological investigations related to subtidal shellfish marine farm applications in the Environment Waikato Region. NB: This guideline does not form part of the Regional Coastal Plan.