October 22, 2013

New Zealand court allows NGOs' appeal against New Zealand Salmon King

Following the Supreme Court's approval, two environmental groups will be able to appeal to refute the approval given to New Zealand King Salmon Co. Ltd. in setting up four new salmon farms in the Malborough Sounds.

The hearings to deal with those appeals will take place from November 19 to November 21, according to a newspaper.

The Supreme Court made known its decision last week and informed the NGOs Environmental Defense Society (EDS) and Sustain Our Sounds (SOS) they were granted the leave to appeal the decision taken by the Court on August 8. On that occasion, the superior court dismissed the claims against the project that had presented the two parties.

Now, a full bench of five Supreme Court's judges approved both NGOs' application opposing the permission granted to King Salmon to go ahead with its expansion plans.

"We have been concerned that the High Court decision creates an undesirable precedent by its narrow interpretation of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010," pointed out Gary Taylor, EDS's Chairman.

Taylor went on to add how pleased he was about the news and reiterated that if they had not appealed the permissions granted to King Salmon, coastal protection would be weakened across the country. EDS is mainly focusing on one of the four approved salmon farms: the one in Port Gore (Papatua).

In December 2012, the Research Council of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) announced that it would allow the installation of four fish farms in Richmond, Papatua, Ngamahau and Waitata. However, it rejected the request of five other fish farms in Kaitapeha, Ruaomoko, Kaitira, Tapipi, and White Horse Rock.

The Court's decision in favour of the installation of these four new salmon farms, after fruitless appeals against it, was banned by the environmental organisations.

New Zealand King salmon is a vertically integrated salmon farming, processing and marketing company. Its production accounts for 70% of New Zealand salmon production and 55% of world farmed King Salmon production. Its main markets are New Zealand (50%), Australia (18%), Japan (14%), North America (12%), Southeast Asia (4%), rest of world (2%).