NZ KING SALMON GRANTED CONSENT TO FARM

NZ King Salmon granted consent to farm. New Zealand King Salmon has been given the green light to begin farming the first open ocean finfish site in New Zealand.

Following a hearing in Blenheim last year, commissioners have just announced their decision to approve the Blue Endeavour application.

“We’re pleased our plans to farm in the open ocean have been given the go ahead. This is a first for New Zealand and is a significant decision for the aquaculture industry,” says Acting Chief Executive Graeme Tregidga.

“I want to thank all who have been part of this extensive process which has taken six years to get to this point.”

Mr Tregidga says open ocean is part of the company’s long-term strategy, but the current focus remains on the company’s inshore farming production.

NZKS General Manager of Aquaculture, Grant Lovell, says open ocean farming makes logical sense for both the environment and for the species in the long term.

Mr Tregidga says the next step is to study the decision and associated conditions before coming up with an implementation plan and investment options.

Open ocean farming is an aquaculture practice where farms are located in deeper, less sheltered, high energy surface waters with stronger currents. They are typically several kilometres away from land and recognised globally as best practice to achieve better environmental, social and economic outcomes.

Blue Endeavour could be New Zealand’s first open ocean salmon farm. To ensure the farm is designed to best international standards NZ King Salmon have teamed up with global experts and are utilising cutting-edge technology.

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