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    The feasibility of shifting the consent area for marine farm 8049 in Oyster Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound to deeper water was assessed in this report. Sampling of the new site and nearby reef was conducted using a remote-operated camera (ROV) to attain photographs and video transects, as well as an acoustic dropper current profiler (ADCP) to measure currents in the ocean. Mathematical modelling was also incorporated (DEPOMOD modelling). Results showed that depths were suitable for the development of a finfish farm, and the farm would be beyond any significant depositional footprint if established. Although greater production was likely to result in enrichment effects to the benthic communities which may result in a replacement of existing benthic species by opportunistic species.

  • Plant and Food Research engaged NIWA to design and implement a survey programme to monitor the effects of an experimental fish feeding operation on the benthic environment in Nelson Haven, to satisfy resource consent requirements. This was conducted to assess whether the feeding programme would adversely affect the local benthic environment, the survey focussed on measuring key indicators of organic enrichment. To do this, a range of sediment physicochemical parameters were characterised using benthic cores and sledding methods. Parameters included: sediment grain size, sediment organic content, sediment colour and smell, and redox potential of surficial sediment,and also biotic features including: the composition of animal communities living upon and within the sediments, and the distribution and abundance of macroalgae. This report describes the survey undertaken 8 months after the commencement of the fish feeding activity. Benthic and sediment data from 7 sites have been processed, checked, analysed, and summarised in the client report. Previous reports in this time series are: Brown, S. N. (2014a). Wildfish 2030: Benthic Monitoring Baseline Survey. Report prepared for Plant and Food Research Ltd. NIWA Client Report No. NEL2014-013. 18 p. Brown, S. N. (2014b). Wildfish 2030: Benthic Monitoring Survey – First post baseline survey. Report prepared for Plant and Food Research Ltd. NIWA Client Report No. NEL2014-021.18 p.