Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan 20 August 2015 upon marine farming which utilises the coastal marine area. The provisions of the Plan recognise that to maintain the strength of the industry, generally it is essential for resource consents to be able to be renewed to continue those marine farming activities. In addition, expansion of the salmon farming industry has been enabled in three locations where the Plan provides for the establishment of new marine farms for salmon, where adverse environmental effects can be satisfactorily avoided, remedied or mitigated. The Plan recognises that in appropriate areas of the Sounds provision needs to be made respectively for cultural uses, for conservation, residential/recreation interest and the interest of important industries utilising Sounds resources such as marine farming, tourism, forestry and land-based farming. In addition, ongoing research is constantly occurring as to other means of aquaculture production involving species other than the present predominant species of mussels and it is possible that some other species may involve lesser effects on the environment through having less visible surface structures. The current Plan provisions are based on the predominant bi-valve marine farm structures. It may become necessary for those provisions to be re-addressed by plan change as has been achieved for three sites for the salmon farming industry. The Marlborough Regional Policy Statement (Policies 7.2.10) highlights a number of key considerations for assessing proposals to occupy areas of coastal space. Essentially, public access and recreational use are identified as matters of prime importance for Marlborough. Any allocation for private benefit must not compromise these important values. Further important values are highlighted by the Regional Policy Statement in order to guide the allocation of space for aquaculture, these include “…marine habitat sustainability, habitat protection, landscape protection, navigation and safety, and, compatibility with other adjoining activities” (Policy 7.2.10(d)). Tangata whenua values, including access to traditional coastal resources, is also an important consideration in the allocation of coastal space. Being able to use and develop the public resources of the coastal marine area is a privilege. Often people expect this as of right, particularly if they own land adjacent to the coastal marine area. 9.2.1 Objectives and Policies Objective 1 The accommodation of appropriate activities in the coastal marine area whilst avoiding, remedying or mitigating the adverse effects of those activities. Policy 1.1 Avoid, remedy and mitigate the adverse effects of use and development of resources in the coastal marine area on any of the following: a) Conservation and ecological values; b) Cultural and iwi values; c) Heritage and amenity values; d) Landscape, seascape and aesthetic values; 9 - 4