This video contains some top tips on what to look out for when boating and fishing near marine farms.
If you damage farm equipment or wish to report a faulty or absent navigation aid; please contact the Harbourmaster.
The boundaries of areas in use for marine farming are marked by special and/or cardinal marks according to the conditions of the farm’s permits. These marks are lit at night, and most also have radar reflectors. In general, sites conform with the requirements of Maritime New Zealand.
Guidelines for Aquaculture Management Areas and Marine Farms from Maritime NZ.
All other installations are offshore sites. In general, the cardinal marks at the corners of each area are fitted with white quick or very quick flashing lights. The lights have a nominal range of four nautical miles, and should be at least 3m above the water. The marks are also fitted with a radar reflector at least 2.5m above the water.
These cardinal marks are colour coded and fitted with topmarks in accordance with the IALA A system of beaconage.
Diagram showing marine farm cardinal marks. Courtesy of Martime NZ.
Wainui Bay is an inshore marine farm site. It is marked with a single special mark at each of the two seaward corners. These lights:
Cardinal marks should be passed on the named side (ie pass in the northern quadrant of a north cardinal mark).
The intermediate special marks at offshore farms are coloured yellow, with a yellow flashing light with a nominal range of two nautical miles at a height of 2m above the water. These yellow lights generally flash a group of 5 every 20 seconds.
Special marks do not indicate a safe channel through marine farm areas.
These plans are based upon information provided to council by various marine farm consent holders, and are intended to only indicate approximate areas expected to be occupied by marine farming gear. These plans are subject to change at any time. Files will open in a new window.
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