Salmon farm expansion plans

By Grant Rosewarne

CEO, New Zealand King Salmon

It’s disappointing that Sustain Our Sounds continues to scaremonger clearly ignoring that for 25 years we have been farming in the Sounds in balance with the environment.

These myths they perpetuate paint an unfair depiction and damage the good reputation of Marlborough and New Zealand (Sustain our Sounds: Scoop, 24 May).

There is ample evidence to support Dave Hockey’s belief that our operations are environmentally sustainable. First, there is proof in the form of a quarter of century of salmon farming without one credible environmental issue being reported.

Second, proof is in the regular reports by the independent Cawthron Institute to the Marlborough District Council that fail to identify any environmental effect remote from our farms. Third, proof is in the scientific study reported by NIWA scientist Dr Andrew Forsythe in a recent interview with the Nelson Mail[1].

He says NIWA has done a great deal of monitoring of environmental effects beyond the farm water columns in Pelorus Sound. He reports that in a highly mixed situation you can’t detect any nutrient enrichment 100 metres from a salmon farm.

Fourth, you simply cannot compare salmon farms in the northern hemisphere with our operations here in New Zealand. We farm a different species of fish and New Zealand has implemented a number of world firsts when it comes to salmon farming.

We manage our farming in a manner that the environment under and immediately around the farms can easily cope with. Native worms and microorganisms break down the organic matter that reaches the sea floor. We could choose to farm at a higher density, but we don’t.

We have never claimed that salmon farming per se could become a tourist attraction. What we do say is food tourism – where visitors travel to sample locally grown food and wines in dining establishments - is a growth industry. Combined with Marlborough’s global reputation for wine, our salmon contributes to an enticing and powerful tourist draw-card. Just ask Destination Marlborough which has recently signed a food partnership with our company.

Our existing practises are supported by the wider Marlborough community. The overwhelming weight of scientific evidence indicates little risk but huge economic gains for the region from our plans.

All our statements rely on independently sourced scientific fact combined with the experience of successfully and sustainably farming King salmon for 25 years in the Marlborough Sounds.

We cannot understand why our opponents seem determined to scuttle sustainable economic growth for the top of the south.

About New Zealand King Salmon

New Zealand King Salmon (NZKS) sustainably farms King salmon from five sea farms in the cool, deep waters of the South Island’s Marlborough Sounds. NZKS invests heavily in research and development and is recognised worldwide for its best in class King salmon farming practises. It is firmly committed to the sustainability and viability of a renewable resource with its success centred on maintaining the quality of the waters in which the salmon are farmed. King salmon has the highest natural content of healthy long-chain Omega-3 oils important for life and good health and which can help to maintain a healthy heart.

NZ King Salmon:

· Is NZ’s largest fin fish aquaculture producer employing more than 455 skilled workers in New Zealand and a further 10 in Australia, the US and Japan.

· Currently produces 8,000 metric tonnes of King salmon annually accounting for 70 per cent of New Zealand’s salmon production.

· Total sales on domestic and exports markets are NZ$115 million p.a.

· Is the world’s biggest farmer and supplier of the King salmon variety with 55 per cent of the global market and earns around NZ$60 million a year in foreign exchange.

· Has clear market advantages including great tasting salmon from a sustainable, disease-free, chemical-free, clean growing environment, fresh-to-market distribution, vertical integration and supply chain product traceability.

NZKS brands Regal and Southern Ocean are available nationwide from supermarkets (NZ only), fish suppliers and good delicatessens. For recipes and serving suggestions visit www.regalsalmon.co.nz. For more information about NZ King Salmon visit www.kingsalmonco.nz.
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