Most Waikare Inlet Oyster Farmers Remedy Breaches

26 September 2003

The Ministry of Fisheries has withdrawn notices of default in respect to 10 marine farm leases at Waikare Inlet, Northland, and looks forward to being able to withdraw a further eight notices when ongoing work on these leases is completed, senior fisheries management advisor, Scott Williamson announced today.

The notices of default had been issued in February to 20 marine farm leases where the lessee was in breach of one or more of the conditions in the lease document.

The breaches related to withdrawing from the shellfish sanitation programme, failing to keep farm structures in good order and repair, failing to keep the leased area free of marine farming debris, and failing to mark the area.

Mr Williamson said he was pleased to see that the leases have now rejoined the shellfish sanitation programme and that most lessees are working to remedy other defaults. Regrettably in the case of two leases the lessee has not responded to the notices and has not carried out any work to remedy the listed defaults.

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