How much people should pay to occupy parts of the sea, including the estuary, is an issue being canvassed by ECan, the regional council. Its Sharing our Sea consultation also seeks to identify how different sea areas in Canterbury might be used by operations like marine farms.

ECan’s councillors voted last year to start charging for structures that take up space in the sea – things like wharves and jetties, seawalls and marine farms. Christchurch’s estuary is part of the area ECan is looking at.

• The issue is open for comment until 31 January next year. Look on the internet, at www.ecan.govt.nz/coast/marinefarms/ homepage.html for more information. ECan’s main public number is 353 9007.