The Waikato Regional Council is considering calling for tenders for the Coromandel Marine Farming Zone off the north-west Coromandel coast.

Council has been advised of renewed interest in farming fish, with a single undisclosed party looking at occupying space in the outer Firth of Thames that has been zoned for fish farming.

An example of a fish farm Photo: File

Because of this renewed interest, council staff submitted a report recommending the WRC release the zone to tenders to the Strategy and Policy Committee this week.

Committee chairman Bob Simcock says the Waikato is a major marine farming region, second only to the Marlborough Sounds in terms of production and employment.

'While it essential that environmental risks are adequately managed and mitigated through a comprehensive resource consent process, fish farming offers potential for further benefits.”

The report recommended the tender should proceed for space to farm fish within the specially designated 300 hectare zone.

In the past there was strong interest in farming kingfish and hapuku in the region. The zone was subsequently established in 2011 by a central Government amendment to the Waikato regional coastal plan. But due to the global financial crisis interest in fish farming waned.

Space available in the zone would be released for development after a tender process which would take into account key factors of a bid such as environmental management practices, economic benefit, and any monetary contribution to council and central Government.

Successful tenderers would need to apply to the council for a resource consent, adds Bob.

'The report noted that any application for a resource consent to farm fish would have to be accompanied by a comprehensive site specific assessment of potential environmental effects.”

The report stated the resource consent process would determine whether the impact is sustainable and that the relatively deep Coromandel Marine Farming Zone was a preferable area from an environmental protection perspective.

It also noted the environmental impacts of fish farming could be greater than for shellfish farming and that poorly managed farms overseas have had 'significant” impacts.

'Modern fish farm management addresses these concerns but it should be recognised that a marine farm will always have some degree of residual impact on the environment. The resource consent process will determine whether that impact is sustainable,” the report said.