As a state "Major Project", NSW DPI and Huon are proposing to modify two related development approvals for finfish research and commercial aquaculture in floating sea cages. The aquaculture leases would be situated in Providence Bay, offshore from Hawks Nest in NSW. The modifications propose to:
- relocate the 2 approved aquaculture leases further offshore into deeper water (from approximately 3.5km offshore to approximately 7 and 9km offshore),
- increase the size of fish cages (from 80-120m in circumference to 168m for each approval),
- increase the number of fish cages (from 8-10 cages to 12 cages for each approval),
- increase the size of the development (from 20-30 hectares to 62 hectares for each approval),
- install permanent feed barges at each site, and
- increase production (from a maximum standing stock of 998 tonnes to 1,200 tonnes for each approval).
Responses to this proposal closed on Thursday 24th March. (Major state projects like this are only placed on public exhibition for two weeks.)
