New Zealand King Salmon (NZKS) 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 NZKS’s Blue Endeavour fish farm 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,” said Graeme Tregidga, acting chief executive, NZKS.
“I want to thank all who have been part of this extensive process which has taken six years to get to this point.”
Long process
Tregidga said that open ocean farming is part of the company’s long-term strategy, but the current focus remains on the company’s inshore farming production. He said that the next step is to study the decision and associated conditions before coming up with an implementation plan and investment options.
Blue Endeavour is an application for a 35-year consent for a site which is 7km north of Cape Lambert, Marlborough, where NZKS intends to commission an initial farm with the potential to grow 4,000 tonnes of king salmon.
During the long application process, the farm garnered widespread support through Marlborough District Council, not least because of the significant boost to the economy and green job opportunities that the farm would bring.
Grant Lovell, general manager of aquaculture at NZKS, said that open ocean farming makes ”logical sense” for both the environment and for the species in the long-term.
