It had seen big days in the industry, including the huge orange roughy catches of the late 1980s.
Project spokesman Brett Rigby said an initial preferred site was ruled out. There had been more than two years of robust assessment of environmental effects and wide consultation with mana whenua and other stakeholders before the consent was received.
The Twofold Bay at West Quay, berthed alongside other boats as they await a forecast storm later this week. Photo / Doug Laing
A meeting next week will consider the next steps leading up to a date for the sinking and celebration of a marine asset where crayfish and other species are expected to develop over the next couple of years.
The site is about 3km from another artificial reef built with limestone boulders taken from a dismantled revetment wall as part of the port’s Te Whiti wharf project in 2021.
Bans on taking fish have been in place to help the sealife thrive.
The consent includes allowance for positioning up to 50 concrete reef cones, weighing up to 1.2 tonnes each, on the seabed surrounding the sunken vessel to provide protection during bad weather and to provide a habitat for fish.
Rigby said that, during the resource consent process, excellent progress had been made in removing contaminants and readying the boat for its final journey.
The consent requires monitoring to ensure the wreck remains free of contaminants.
The trust had hoped the sinking could take place by late summer, but now says it should happen towards the end of June.
It is seeking further financial support to help meet costs associated with the sinking, manufacturing and placement of the reef cones and ongoing monitoring.
Donations can be made through the trust’s website.
Doug Laing is a Hawke’s Bay Today reporter based in Napier, with more than 50 years’ experience in the news industry in Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington.