New Salmon farm for Tory Channel

The Marlborough District Council has given the go ahead for 2 hectares of salmon farm structures at the Clay Point site, but limited feed discharge in the first year to 2500 tonnes.

That could grow to 4000 tonnes within three years, but is well under the maximum 6000 tonnes applied for.

NZKS chief executive Paul Steere said that meant the company would have to maintain pressure on its other farms and possibly bring its Forsyth Bay site out of a five year fallow, in order to meet the rising demand for salmon.

However, the company understood the council's careful approach and appreciated its support for aquaculture growth in the Tory Channel, he said.

"It's nice to have council recognise that it is a superb place to grow salmon."

The council's "precautionary response" allows for 2500 tonnes of feed discharge in the first year of operation with provision for an increase to 3000 the next year, and 4000 tonnes within three years.

That provision is dependent on the results of monitoring reports on the seabed.

NZKS applied for a 6000 tonne maximum, but said in its application it would use an adaptive management approach, with an incremental approach to feed discharge.


Source: Stuff.co.nz