17Minister’s approval required for aquaculture leases over navigable waters

17 Minister’s approval required for aquaculture leases over navigable waters

17 Minister’s approval required for aquaculture leases over navigable waters

(1) The Minister administering the Fisheries Management Act 1994 may not grant or renew an aquaculture lease over navigable waters under Part 6 of that Act without the approval of the Minister administering this Act.

(2) The grounds on which the Minister may refuse to give that approval are that—

(a) it is in the public interest that the area concerned remain available for the navigation of vessels rather than be used for aquaculture, or

(b) sufficient provision has not been made to ensure that structures on the leased area are not, and will not become, a danger to the safe navigation of vessels.

(3) This section does not apply to—

(a) the renewal of a lease to which the lessee is entitled under the Fisheries Management Act 1994, or

(b) the grant or renewal of a lease of a class excluded from this section by notice given to the Minister administering that Act by the Minister administering this Act.