Marlborough Sounds Aquaculture

Project summary

The project comprises the following six aquaculture activities:

• One activity for oyster farming with three blocks totalling 15.73 hectares in Onapua Bay proposed by Apex Marine Farm Limited.

• Two activities for Greenshell mussel production farms, specifically:

  • 27.89 hectares of mussel farming space with two blocks in the Outer Sounds location of Okuri Bay proposed by Clearwater Mussels Limited and Talley's Limited

  • 42.2 hectares of mussel farming space with three blocks in Richmond Bay in Outer Pelorus Sound / Te Hoiere proposed by all five applicants being Apex Marine Farm Limited; Clearwater Mussels Limited; Talley’s Limited; Marine Farming Association Incorporated; P H Redwood & Co Limited.

• Three activities for Greenshell mussel spat and seed nursery farms in Outer Marlborough Sounds locations, specifically:

  • 90 hectares of mussel nursery space at Pig Bay proposed by the Marine Farming Association Incorporation

  • An additional 76.8 hectares of mussel nursery space at Guards Bay proposed by P H Redwood & Co Limited

  • 28.03 hectares of mussel nursery space with two blocks at Hapuku Rock proposed by Clearwater Mussels Limited.

Project location

The project area encompasses approximately 280.65 hectares across six sites within the coastal marine area of the Marlborough Sounds being:

• Pig Bay (Outer Marlborough Sounds): ~90 hectares

• Guards Bay (Outer Marlborough Sounds): ~76.8 hectares

• Hapuku Rock (Outer Marlborough Sounds): ~28.03 hectares

• Okuri Bay (Outer Marlborough Sounds): ~27.89 hectares

• Richmond Bay (Outer Pelorus Sound / Te Hoiere): ~42.2 hectares

• Onapua Bay (Queen Charlotte Sound): ~15.73 hectares.

Project referral

The Minister for Infrastructure referred the project to the Fast-track on 4 May 2026. The application was lodged on 5 December 2025.

Notice of decisions on application for referral of the Marlborough Sounds Aquaculture Project (PDF, 1.2 MB)