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Sturgeon Aqua-Farms

RESOURCE CONSENT APPLICATIONS AND ASSESSMENT OF


ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

1 April 2015
Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 2

Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Pages:
Table of Contents 1

Part A: Resource Consent Applications 4

Part B: Assessment of Environmental Effects
1. Introduction .
1.1 General Location..
1.2 Detailed Location and Current Terrain Features of Proposed Area.
1.3 Proposed Plan ..
1.4 General Design Parameters ..
1.4.1 Additional Resource Consents Required ..
1.4.2 NZ Transportation Agency
1.4.3 Auckland Council

2. The Current Environment .....
2.1 Location, Landscape and Land use
2.1.1 General Location..
2.1.2 Surrounding Land Use.
2.1.3 Geological Landscape.
2.2 Climate
2.2.1 Rainfall ..
2.3.2 Temperature .
2.3 Ecological Environment ...
2.3.1 Flora....
2.3.2 Aquatic Ecology ...
2.4 Odor Management
2. The Proposal ........
3.1 Key Components of this Proposal ..
3.2 White sturgeon (A. transmontanus) .
3.2.1 Sturgeon Supply
3.2.2 Broodstock.
3.2.3 Spawning ..
3.2.4 Nursery ..
3.2.5 Grow-out Development ...
3.2.6 Caviar Production.
2.3.7 Sturgeon Meat Processing..

Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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4. Assessment of Actual and Potential Environmental Impacts ....
4.1 Introduction.....
4.2 Positive Effects ......
4.2.1 Eco-friendly caviar ...
4.2.2 Environmentally Sustainable Sturgeon ....
4.2.3 Protection of wild white sturgeon .....
4.2.4 Economic Benefits ......
4.3 Potential Effects and Impacts .....
4.3.1 Landscape and Visual Impacts......
4.3.2 Ground and Surface-water risks .......
4.3.3 Terrestrial Ecological Effects......
4.3.4 Aquatic Ecological Effects......
4.3.5 Prevention of white sturgeon into the wild ......
4.3.6 Odor Management.......

Sourced Information........
Appendix .......
















Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

3

PART A: RESOURCE CONSENT APPLICATIONS
APPLICATION FOR RESOURCE CONSENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 88 OF
THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT 1991

To:
Waikato Regional Council
Private Bag 9230X
Auckland 114X

Sturgeon Aqua-Farms Limited. (hereby referred to as Aqua-Farms) hereby applies for
the following resource consents pursuant to the Resource Management Act 1991
(RMA):

Resource Consents Sought:
1. Site A Aqua-Farms proposes to construct, operate and maintain a
commercial sturgeon farming operation with an initial set up at a terrestrial lot
size of 850m
2
at 185 Wharf Road, Coromandel (Site B) for the purpose of
sustainable production of farmed white sturgeon caviar for human consumption.
(Proposal A).

2. Site B Aqua-Farms proposes to construct, operate and maintain a
commercial white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) farming operation with an
initial area of 14400m
2
at Area C, Wilson Bay Marine Farming Zone (WBMFZ)for
the purpose of raising white sturgeon for processing at the location of Proposal A.
(Proposal B).

3. Aqua-Farms applies for all other necessary resource consents to construct,
operate and maintain the Proposal as detailed in the AEE as detailed in Part B of
this document:

Including but not limited to:

Waikato Regional Policy Statement and Regional Coastal Plan
a. Construction, use and occupation of space of facilities and on-site discharges to
water and air in Marine Farming Zone C for construction, use and maintenance
of marine aquaculture facility required for operation of Proposal.

b. Discharge of Feed, Medicines and Therapeutic Compounds Associated with
Marine Farming in Zone C for the use of feed, medicine or therapeutic
compound for the purposes of operating a sturgeon farm.

Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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c. Taking and use of Coastal Water in excess of equal to or greater than 1,000
cubic metres per day C for the use of a simulated migration process at
sturgeon nursery at Site A.

d. Discharges from Ports, Marinas and Boat Maintenance Areas for purpose of
boat/marine craft maintenance facilitate operation and transport of goods and
personal between proposed sites.


Waikato Regional Policy Statement and Regional Plan
a. (i) Land Use Consents (Thames-Coromandel District Plan) for earthworks and
vegetation removal associated with expansion of on-site structure at Site A,
including access roads, fresh water storage tanks, water filtration facilities,
sturgeon processing facilities and holding tanks for juvenile sturgeon stock.

b. Discharge permit to Discharge into Water for the discharge of wastewater to
nearby waterway from the maintenance, upkeep of white sturgeon and flood-
water in the event of adverse weather.

c. For Transfer of Water Take Permit Transfer of allocated water take from
Whangamaroro Catchment (Catchment ID 279/353) from Fictitious-Holdings. LLC
(Consent No: CRX12345X) for maintaining and operating proposed small-scale
land-based aquaculture facility at Site A

d. Any other resource consents necessary to enable Aqua-Farms to construct,
operate and maintain the Proposal.



Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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PART B: ASSESMENT OF ENVIROMENTAL EFFECTS
1. Introduction:
This Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) is submitted in support of the resource
consent applications made by Aqua-Farms in accordance to the Fourth Schedule to the
Resource Management Act (RMA). The AEE and resource consent applications relate
to the construction, operation and maintenance of rearing white sturgeon (A.
transmontanus) and the production of caviar. (the Proposal).

The Proposal is comprised of 2 main elements:
1) Proposal A
(i) Water storage tanks for the storage of fresh water required for the
temporary containment of immature white sturgeon before transferal to the
marine aquaculture facilities at Proposal B.
(ii) .A closed freshwater re-filtration system for recycling of waste-water for
aquaculture purposes.
(iii) A sorting and processing facility for the purposes of selecting sturgeons
for transfer to Site B for additional and the preparations non-productive
specimens for additional processing at off-site processing facility.
(iv) Operations office for the effective administrations, management and
maintenance of Proposal A and B.

2) Proposal B
(i) Sea-cages for the purposes of raising sturgeon of various age groups.
Cage-sizes will be similar to those used in large scale salmon mariculture
operations currently in operation in New Zealand.
(ii) Coastal water quality monitoring equipment will be located at regular
intervals within boundary of operations in compliance with best practice
guidelines and management policies.

The proposed sites at full capacity should be capable of housing 1500-2250 mature,
caviar producing sturgeons at Proposal B and 50-100 juvenile sturgeons at Proposal
Site A, with a total biomass of approximately 22-27 tonnes. After the initial set up and
intake of required fresh water, necessary water-take and waste-water discharge will
decrease through the use of a closed water recirculation system, additional water is only
required to replace water loss from evaporation, cleaning and leakage. Coastal water
taking will occur during the process of acclimating juvenile sturgeon stocks into the
marine environment and limited water take should not exceed 2m
3
per day.

The on-site re-filtration system allows for approximately 90% less water use than
conventional land-based aquaculture and also minimizes waste-water discharge volume
and waste content concentration.
Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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1.1 General locations:

Proposal A: The 850m
2
rhomboid site is located at 185 Wharf Road within the
Coromandel Township of the Thames-Coromandel District. (Refer to Map A1, below)















Map A1: Red outline denotes proposed site for the
construction of Proposal A. (Thames-Coromandel District
Council GIS Viewer, 2014)
Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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Proposal B: The 14400m
2
(120x120m) square site is the total area allocated to Aqua-
Farms LLC. At Area C, WBMFZ (farmed area + navigational access routes). (Refer to
Map B1 in following page for allocated area and Appendix for area in relation to
Coromandel Peninsula.) (Map B1, below)












Map B1: Dark blue area denotes allocated area in Zone C of WBMFZ for the
construction of Proposal B. (Waikato Regional Council, 2012)
Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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1.2 Detailed Location and Current Terrain Features of Proposed Areas

Proposal A: The site is relatively flat and most areas are at sea-level, with the highest
point at 2m above sea level at areas adjacent to Wharf Road. The area currently does
not contain any significant terrain features and currently used for general marine
services as provided for in the District Plan. No documented native or endangered
indigenous fauna are recorded on location. (Map A2, below)








Map A2: Legend: Light Grey Existing structures White Proposed Construction Sites
A Land-based Aquaculture systems B Water Re-filtration unit
C Boat shed and Maintenance D Sturgeon processing facility
E Operations Office F Above ground water storage
Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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Proposal B: Site B currently has no significant underwater terrain features or water
feature, average depth has been estimated to be between 10-15m in the South-Eastern
borders and 26-27m at the North-Western borders of Zone A. Visual inspection by
NIWA suggests that Zone B follows this trend (NIWA Client Report: HAM2007-172). As
such, this Proposal would continue base its AEE on the assumption that the depth of
Site B is no less than 25m at all points until further findings are acquired. The area is
currently not in use for mariculture or any other purposes. (Map B2, below)












Map B2: Estimate Depth of Zone A of WBMFZ. (NIWA Client Report:
HAM2007-172)

Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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1.3 Proposed Plan
Under the national image of New Zealand as a clean and green country, the proposed
white sturgeon farm will highlight New Zealands aquaculture operations as not only a
highly effective and environmentally friendly operation but also one of pioneering the
development of sustainable sturgeon caviar production and developing technologies
that could benefit endangered sturgeon species from extinction due to poaching and
overfishing by providing an environmentally alternative to wild caviar.

Success in farming this species in various other nations have showed that this species
is robust and highly suited to aquaculture operations in climate conditions similar to the
Coromandel area. The production of caviar will undoubtedly boost local and regional
economies through the creation of employment opportunities. Once the first stocks have
matured, additional economic benefits will be created due to the high price and
increasing demand for caviar and sturgeon flesh harvested in a sustainable and
environmentally friendly manner. As sturgeon farming is still in its infancy, with the first
NZ-raised sturgeon not yet available, the domestic market for sturgeon and caviar is
unknown.


1.4 General Design Parameters
The general design parameters as outlined in Map A2 shows the proposed location of
structures required to perform land-based aquaculture, caviar extraction, sturgeon
sorting, processing and the associated support facilities to run this operation. The
reason for providing such on-site facilities for caviar production but sturgeon is
transferred off site is due to the perishable and delicate nature of caviar making it
unsuitable for transport. The Proposal aims to mitigate the impacts our land based
facilities has on the local environment and amenity values of the Coromandel
Townships Historic Heritage Area.
Due to Proposal Bs location being a designated Marine Farming Zone, it will be
assumed that adverse impacts caused by the use of the area for the purposes of Marine
Aquaculture are to be expected and any impacts will be kept to a minimal provided that
best practice management policies are employed and all activities within the area
comply with the requirements imposed by resource consents granted by this proposal.
As such, the AEE on Site B will be minimal with the exception of discussion of topics
such as biosecurity precautions and provide a brief time-line on the consultation
process that led to the white sturgeon becoming joining the list of species approved for
aquaculture.







Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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2 The Current Environment

2.1 Location, Landscape and Land use
2.1.1 General Location
The general location is outlined in Section 1.1 and 1.2 of this document. The area falls
under Map Area 11E of the Waikato District Plan (Thames-Coromandel District). The
Whangarahi Stream runs adjacent to the Site A into the Coromandel Harbour area. The
Whangarahi Stream is part of the Whangarahi Catchment.

2.1.2 Surrounding Land Use
Site A is situated on a Marine Service Area and is part of the Coromandel Town Historic
Heritage Area, the historic value was considered during the design of the proposed
structures to ensure the building height, roof line and visual characteristics of the Site
are consistent with the area. Nearby areas within the town are designated for education,
law enforcement and telecommunications these designations do not influence the
Proposal..
Theo surrounding areas of Site A are classified as a mixture of Rural, Recreation,
Commercial and Residential areas. While this does not directly influence the operation
of the Proposal, it should be noted that the Applicant best practice policy to limit
negative impacts to mitigate effects and maintain good relations with near-by land
owners and occupiers.
2.1.3 Geological and Hydrological Landscape
The area is largely flat, with little to no terrain features at the mouth of Whangarahi
Catchment, connecting it with harbor; this makes the area prone to flooding during
adverse weather. The area is not known for containing any aquifers or geo-thermal
water resources.
Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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2.2 Climate

2.2.1 Rainfall
The Coromandel Peninsula tends to have warm, humid summers and mild winters, with
prevailing westerly winds. The region often has annual rainfalls over 3,000 mm and
sometimes in excess of 4,500 mm.

2.2.2 Temperature
Mean Air Temperature
Maximum mean air temperature recorded during summer in this region shows 24C to
31C
Maximum mean air temperature recorded during winter in this region show 12 to 14C.
Data derived from publicly available information from Destination Coromandel (2014).
Mean Surface-Water Temperature
The mean temperature of surface water in this region ranges between 20C in February
to 15C in August.
2.3 Ecological Environment
2.3.1 Flora & Fauna
A survey conducted in the area shows that the vegetation in the area consists of non-
native grasses (i.e .lawns) No pre-existing data shows that this area is ecological
significant to native fauna and fauna. The area will be assumed to be of low indigenous
biodiversity.
2.3.2 Aquatic Ecology
Existing waterways is used currently used by a local sewage treatment facility and as
such, not suitable for water-take for aquaculture purposes due to high levels of
contaminants and pathogens. Its use as a discharge outlet by local infrastructure will be
taken as a sign that the water in the area is of low ecological and indigenous value.

2.4 Odor Management
Due to the nature of the proposal, it is expected that certain odors may be emitted
during regular cleaning, operation and maintenance of the facility which may be deemed
unpleasant. The impacts of the operation of the facility will be mitigated and minimized
by:
Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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a) Transferring full-processing of sturgeon meat to off-site facilities to limit the scale
of activities conducted on-site.
b) Only conduct potentially odor producing activities such as processing and facility
maintenance to a as required basis.
c) Consultation with local authorities, land owners and occupiers to ensure that
impact is minimized.


3. The Proposal
3.1 Key Components of this Proposal
The Proposal consists of the following components:
Proposal A:
The construction, operation and maintenance of a small scale land-based
aquaculture facility.
The construction, operation and maintenance of a caviar processing facility.
Construction of a water pump for take of marine water and waste-water
discharge.
Construction of a closed system water re-filtration facility
Construction of water tanks for water storage
Construction of an administration office and storage unit.
Construction of boat-maintenance and storage area
Minor upgrading of current roads leading into property. Alterations to existing
private roads within property.
Vegetation clearance in private property for the creation of access roads and
facilitate construction as outlined by the proposal.
Proposal B:

The construction, operation and maintenance of a marine farm.
75% of the farmed area will be allocated to the use of sea-cages for mature but
non-caviar carrying female sturgeon.
20% of the farmed area will be allocated for the use of floating pens for
containment of caviar
5% of the farmed area will be reserved for the use of facilitating the operation of
the marine farm, environment monitoring equipment and miscellaneous uses.

Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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3.2 White Sturgeon (A. transmontanus)
A number of sturgeon species have been historically regarded as a potential candidate
for commercial aquaculture since the 1940s. The natural habitats of the white sturgeon
(A. transmontanus) are exclusive to the Western sea-board of North America, including
the Sacramento, Columbia and Fraser River systems. (Canada Ministry of Environment,
2014)
It is a migratory fresh-water species, sexually mature adults migrate up river during
spawning season. Unlike most salmon, white sturgeon continues to feed during
spawning migrations.
The optimal temperature of the species is known to be within 819 C. While the
species is able to tolerate low temperatures, it would not be economically wise to do so
as low temperatures would significantly increase the time it takes for sturgeon to reach
maturity and marketable value.

Life cycle of commercially raised Siberian Sturgeon (A. baerii) currently employed by Aqua-Farms.
Note: Current proposal for white sturgeon plans to employ a 2 stage, land-based and marine
aquaculture system. Current Proposal also plans to exclude develop minimally intrusive caviar
harvesting techniques to prevent sturgeon death during caviar extraction.
Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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3.2.1 Sturgeon Supply
Aqua-Farms plans to raise Siberian Sturgeon juveniles purchased from commercial
hatcheries in North America in the beginning before the availability of in-house
broodstock at Aqua-Farms off-site hatchery facilities.

3.2.2 Broodstock
Rearing conditions are usually more favorable in farms than in its natural environment.
Maturity is expected to occur at 9 years old for male sturgeons and 11 years for females
at the proposed areas.
Females generally do not ovulate every year. Therefore, for a given broodstock group,
the number of mature females obtained annually can vary between 3563% of the stock.
By controlling the feeding rate, it is possible to condition spawning to be delayed over
an extended period, namely DecemberMay, allowing for a more regular supply of eggs.

3.2.3 Spawning
Mature eggs are manually retrieved either via repeated abdominal massaging or small
laparotomy. The females are not killed in this procedure and are able to produce viable
eggs during the next spawning season. It is known that the spawning rates for younger
females are higher than older specimens. Therefore, the Proposal plans to regulate the
production of caviar via artificial selection and culling of older females as necessary to
increase production.

3.2.4 Nursery
Nursery operations will be conducted off-site to mitigate biosecurity concerns.

3.2.5 Grow-out Development
Juveniles will be kept in land-based facilities and adults will be contained in marine-pens
and sea cages as outlined in Section 3.1, land based operations will be provided with
oxygen aeration to allow for high fish density rearing.

3.2.6 Caviar Production
Caviar will be produced onsite. With regard to traditional methods: female selection,
holding in running water for a while, stunning, gutting, removal of ovaries, cooling,
screening, rinsing, weighing, salting, draining, canning, labeling and preservation.
Another method known as stripping allows for the extraction of caviar without surgicial
intervention or the killing of the female sturgeon. This is the process hat Aqua-Farms
have chosen for caviar production. This process was developed in partnership with
British company Mottra Ltd.

2.3.7 Sturgeon Meat Processing
Male sturgeon and culled females, a byproduct of sturgeon hatcheries intended for
caviar production will be processed off-site.. On-site activities will be limited to sedation
and preparation for additional processing.

Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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4. Assessment of Actual and Potential Environmental Impacts

4.1 Introduction
A key objective during the design of this Proposal is to mitigate adverse effects to the
local environment when possible while maximizing profits and benefits obtained for
operating a sturgeon farm
While it is not possible to eliminate all adverse effects, the design of this Proposal aims
to remedying or limiting such adverse effects to a localized area. This has included
planned future consultations with affected landowners, local residents and schools, iwi,
the relevant local authorities, DoC, EPA, MPI and the Haruaki Gulf Forum to identify
issues and areas of particular concern.
As a result of this design process, the only significant impacts of this Proposal would be
the introduction of a EPA approved new organism and MPI approved species for
aquaculture. In all other regards, the Proposals adverse effects have been remedied,
mitigated and avoided.
In accordance with section 3 of the RMA, the relevant consent authorities are required
to have regard to the Proposals positive and adverse effects. The RMA states that not
all of this projects adverse effects have to be avoided but rather be balanced.

4.2 Positive Effects
There are a significant number of positive effects and benefits associated with the
Proposal. The positive effects and benefits of the Proposal include:
Provides eco-friendly alternative to wild caviar.
Supplies of high quality, environmentally sustainable source of sturgeon meat for
domestic and international markets.
Protection of the white sturgeon species by lowering demand of wild stocks.
Generating economic benefits on a regional and national scale.


4.2.1 Eco-friendly caviar
Caviar is processed, salted, non-fertilized sturgeon roe marketed as a luxury food.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, caviar is a product made from salt-
cured fish-eggs of the Acipenseridae (Sturgeon) family.
This produces monumental pressure on the caviar producing industry and large
financial incentives for fishermen to both under-report catch quotas and illegal fish for
sturgeon producing sturgeon of all varieties.
Aqua-Farm wishes to remedy this and provide domestic and international markets with
caviar that is harvested from environmentally and in a sustainable manner.

4.2.2 Environmentally Sustainable Sturgeon
Sturgeon is also highly prized for its flesh in addition to caviar. Sturgeon meat has been
held in high regard as a delicacy by European, Native American, Asian and Russian
cultures and still maintains a reputation as a high-quality fish culinary.
Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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Aqua-Farms wishes to promote farmed sturgeon meat within New Zealand and
international as an environmentally friendly alternative to other species of high priced,
wild caught fish and seafood. Therefore reducing the demand for other less
environmentally sustainable seafood and/or less well managed fisheries within the
region.


4.2.3 Protection of wild white sturgeon
As described in Section 4.2.1 and 4.2.2, the pressure on caviar has caused a decline in
sturgeon population due to the non-gender discriminatory catching of wild sturgeon and
the removal of sexually mature egg-producing females required for the reproduction of
the species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists
white sturgeon as a species of Least concern, making this species a suitable
candidate for aquaculture without concern of the sustainability and environmental
impacts relating to sourcing brood-stock.
Current production of caviar is in decline as over-fishing, poaching and smuggling as
well as pollution caused by sewage entry into the sturgeons habitat have considerably
reduced the sturgeon population.
Protection of the wild white sturgeon can be achieved by providing environmentally
sustainable products to alleviate the pressure on wild sturgeon populations.


4.2.4 Economic Benefits
Caviar and sturgeon flesh have both commanded a high price on the international
market for a significant period of time due to its desirability as a luxury culinary that
continually faces ever higher demand and ever decreasing supply due to decimated
populations.
As of the production of this document, the current retail price for farmed sturgeon meat
averages at USD$40 dollars per kg; caviar is marketed at USD$2250 to USD$2280 per
kg, depending on quality.
While sturgeon takes a relatively significant amount of time to become sexually mature,
sturgeon farming is a long-term investment that will significantly aid the Thames-
Coromandel districts economy through job creation for the construction, operation and
maintenance of the Aqua-Farms facility.
It is expected that if the annual goal of 1.2 tons of caviar are produced, it will generate
this region a minimum of $USD2.8 million dollars (3.2million in $NZD) in revenue, not
including sales of sturgeon meat. This will significantly aid in New Zealands goal of
generating over 1 billion dollars in sustainable aquaculture by 2025.







Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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4.3 Potential Effects and Impacts

4.3.1 Landscape and Visual Impacts
Context:
The area is located on flat terrain near the mouth of the Whangarahi Stream that runs
into the Coromandel Harbor. The only vegetation found on site was exotic grasses that
the lawn consists of.

Landscape Effects:
Construction of the aquaculture farm will moderately alter the landscape of the
proposed area both during and after construction is completed. Some of the proposed
structures will replace the grass lawns. Additional removal of grass areas may be
required during the construction of the facility.

Amenity Value:
Overall, the area is located within a Historic Heritage Area and adjacent to various
commercial and residential areas. The current amenity value of the current structures
on-site are relatively low.

Effect Mitigation:
The Proposal will take of its proximity to Historic Heritage areas and other uses, limiting
buildings to be no taller than 12m in height. Grass lawns removed during construction
will be replanted in its original location if possible. New trees suited to the area will be
selected to increase the amenity values to users within the area.


4.3.2 Ground and Surface-water risks
Context:
The flat area and proximity to surface water allows for the drainage of collected storm-
water to flow into the Coromandel Harbor. The area is known to be a flood-prone area in
the event of adverse weather.

Ground Water:
No ground water in the form of aquifers or geo-thermal aquifers are known to be on or
near this region.


Surface Water Usage:
Surface waters will be taken off-site upon approval of the consent relating to transfer of
water-take permits, water will be used will be used initially to fill the rearing tanks at the
proposed facility after construction is complete. Water use will decrease at the
completion of initial set up. Alternative means of sourcing water are investigated as
contingency measures.


Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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Tectonic Movement Induced Water Leakage
In the event of major tectonic plate movement, tanks, water pipes and associated
systems within the facility may be damaged, causing leakage of contaminated water
into surrounding areas.

Effect Mitigation:
The aquaculture farm will utilize a water recirculation system designed by America
based Mote Marine Laboratory. Originally designed for inland marine aquaculture, this
system should also work for fresh and estuarine waters. This recirculation system will
allow decrease water-usage up to 90% as compared to conventional inland aquaculture
operations.
Reduction of waste-water discharge will also conserve the surrounding areas aquatic
ecological value. Additional water intake will only be required for the replacement of
water lost through evaporation and leakage.

The off-site sources of water utilized by Aqua-Farms will allow for more flexibility in
where water can be sourced from, conserving the original height of the water-table and
also mitigating the effects to the Kaipara river tributary in terms of flow volume,
biodiversity.
Proper management of waste-water, leakage prevention will be utilized to prevent
contamination of surface water from run-off and contamination of ground water sources
from infiltration in the event of adverse weather and/or tectonic activity

The possibility of a catastrophic plant failure/water leakage will be minimized using
reinforced concrete combined with water-proofing of interior walls for the construction
water storage and aquaculture facilities. Pipes and associated facilities responsible for
transportation and storage of water within the facility will be checked as part of regular
maintenance.

4.3.3 Terrestrial Ecological Effects
The has no known existing data showing significance to indigenous local flora and
fauna. Nevertheless, Aqua-Farms will attempt to prevent the accidental introduction of
pest and exotic species within the property through proper waste-disposal and
consultation with the MPI and EPA during importation and exportation to ensure it
meets NZ Biosecurity standards.


4.3.4 Aquatic Ecological Effects
The aquatic environment of the Coromandel Harbor may be affected due to the
discharge of storm-water and waste-water. This will be mitigated by previously
described risk avoidance and adverse impacts mitigation procedures. It is expected that
the overall water-usage of the aquaculture farm (with exception of initial water usage)
will not significantly impact aquatic biodiversity or alter the aquatic environment due to
switching over to ground-water systems during times of limited water-flow in the river
system.
Eric Fok (Student ID: 1123280)
Environmental Law 776313
Assignment 1 Part B

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Waste-water and associated contaminants will be limited in volume and concentration
due the closed water recirculation system in use developed by Mote.

4.3.5 Prevention of white sturgeon entering the wild
Wild white sturgeon will not reproduce unless they have found their original spawning
location. Therefore, they will not naturally reproduce under any conditions within New
Zealand in the event of escape into local fresh water and marine ecosystems.
The Siberian Sturgeon species is known to live a maximum of 60 years under optimal
conditions, this species preys mostly on benthic creatures and dead/dying fish. This
may significantly impact local aquatic ecosystems if large numbers of individuals are
released/escape from holding tanks.

The importation of sturgeon represents a low threat to local fresh-water ecosystems due
to the lack of reproduction in the event of escaped sexually mature male/female pairs
and relative far location the holding tanks are located from natural waterways. As part of
the Applications biosecurity threat assessment and consultation with the EPA,
specimens selected for transfer and containment at Wilson Bay will be exclusively
female to prevent any possibility escaped sturgeons from breeding. All breeding,
nursery and hatchery facilities will be located off-site at a EPA approved facility
operated by Aqua-Farms.

Nevertheless, Aqua-Farms would erect net enclosures around its land-based tanks
holding sturgeon to prevent captive sturgeon from escape due to flooding or sturgeon
leaping behavior, as seen in some species.



4.3.6 Odor Management
Odor from the maintenance, day to day operation, cleaning of the facility and associated
processing operation of sturgeon are unavoidable. It is expected that the trees planted
in the reforestation attempt and limiting scale of processing facilities will mitigate the
area which this would affect. The relative isolated area, away from local residential and
commercial sectors of this region will also diminish its impact on the intrinsic value of
the region.


Sourced Information and non-inclusive list of Amendments related to this
document:
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http://www.thecoromandel.com: http://www.thecoromandel.com/new-
zealand/coromandel-weather/
Aquaculture.govt.nz. (2008, 10). Aqua_NZ.pdf. Retrieved 10 6, 2011, from Aquaculture.govt.nz:
http://www.aquaculture.govt.nz/files/pdfs/Aqua_NZ.pdf
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Environmental Law 776313
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Aquaculture.govt.nz. (n.d.). Industry Development. Retrieved May 2012, from
Aquaculture.govt.nz: http://www.aquaculture.govt.nz/industry_development.php
Burtzev, I. (2007). The History of Global Sturgeon Aquaculture. Journal of Applied Ichthyology,
Volume 15, Issue 4-5, 325.
Canada Ministry of Environment. (2014). Fish & Habitats White Sturgeon (Acipenser
transmontanus) in British Columbia. Retrieved 2014, from http://www.env.gov.bc.ca:
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Copyright Hunting and Fishing BC. (2014). Sturgeon Weight/Age Chart. Retrieved 2014, from
http://www.rivermenrodandgunclub.com:
http://www.rivermenrodandgunclub.com/sturgeon-weightage-chart.html
Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society. (2010). Life Cycle of the White Sturgeon. Retrieved
2014, from http://hsbc.frasersturgeon.com/:
http://hsbc.frasersturgeon.com/rhspsec/Lesson1/Articles/Article1.pdf
Giles, H. (2007). NIWA Client Report: HAM2007-172. Bayesian Network Analysis Exploring
the Benthic Carrying Capacity for Finfish Farming Within the Firth of Thames.
Ministry for the Environment. (2009, Nov 9). Aquaculture | Ministry for the Environment.
Retrieved May 30, 2011, from Ministry for the Environment:
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/aquaculture/reform.html
Mote Marine Laboratory . (n.d.). Marine Recirculation Systems Design and Evaluation.
Retrieved March 2012, from Mote Marine Laboratory :
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design%20and%20evaluation&category=Aquaculture%20Research%20and%20Develop
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PressTV: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/136154.html
New Zealand Gazette. (2012). Notice Specifying Fish Species Which May Be armed (2012).
Retrieved 2014, from Ministy of Primary Industries:
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Thames-Coromandel District Council. (2014). Thames-Coromandel District Council GIS Viewer.
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Appendix:
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(Copyright Hunting and Fishing BC, 2014)





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Appendix II:
Other processes undertaken in the course of preparation for the introduction of
sturgeon species into New Zealand for aquaculture.
EPA Consultation on New Organisms
DOC CITES Application to import
EPA Application to import new organisms into a containment facility
EPA Application to field test new organisms in an outdoor containment facility
MPI Request for Import Health Standard development for importation of white
sturgeon products (fertilized eggs and sturgeon broodstock)
MPI Consultation on classifying sturgeon for aquaculture.
MPI Permit to Import
MPI Fish Farm Consent & License Application
Waikato Regional Council Consultation
Haruaki Gulf Forum Consultation
Thames-Coromandel District Consultation

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