The National Party is promising to reform the Resource Management Act and aquaculture marine area legislation "almost immediately" if it is elected to government later this year.
However, according to reports in the Malborough Express, the Guardians of the Sounds have reacted to the news with horror. Chairman Peter Beech said National "will have a war on its hands" if it tried to put more aquaculture into the area.
The Marlborough Sounds is one of the largest aquaculture areas in New Zealand.
Speaking at the New Zealand Seafood Industry Conference in Wellington last week National leader John Key said if the party got into government it would overhaul the RMA and Aquaculture Management Area legislation, he Malborough Express report says.
National Party Promises Shake-up of Aquaculture
NEW ZEALAND - A National Government in New Zealand would open up new areas of the for the fish and aquaculture industry.