Theoretical and practical ideas for the allocation of space in the Marlborough Sounds : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Resource Studies with Honours, Lincoln University

Abstract

Coastal space in the Marlborough Sounds, in the South Island of New Zealand, provides for many resource uses. Coastal space in the Sounds, however, is insufficient to satisfy all interests and uses. Scarcity and thus conflict is created. The growth in the aquaculture industry has created conflict over use. The Marlborough District Council has failed to account for the conflict because no mechanism for allocating coastal space has been employed. In an effort to remedy the situation, the Department of Conservation has used the coastal tendering provisions of the Resource Management Act 1991 to allocate space for marine farming. However, the tendering process only applies to present marine farming activities and fails to account for all conflicts in the Sounds. Solving conflicts may be impossible given the values evident in the Sounds. Nonetheless for 'conflict' to be alleviated by institutional arrangements, a set of well-specified and context specific property rights are required. Non-attenuated property rights in a social and ecological context provides the framework for the efficient and equitable allocation of coastal space. This approach allows management to effectively address 'conflict' and 'sustainability' in contrast to situations where property rights are 'ill-defined' or 'lacking'.