NZ$7 million Salmon Farm Upgrade in Glory Bay

The $7 million development has being underway over the past 12 months and will see production increasing from 1,900 tonne of salmon to over 3,000 tonne of salmon per year.

The development includes the upgrade of an existing site and the conversion of a mussel farming site to salmon, with the introduction of new cages manufactured in Norway that are compatible with the latest automated feeding, and feed monitoring technology.

“This technology allows us to grow our salmon using world best farming practices as well as improving our environmental foot print”, said Tommy Foggo Branch Manager for Sanford Bluff.

“We spent considerable time assessing the technology available from around the world to ensure we had the right match of equipment for the conditions we experience In Big Glory Bay. The automated feed systems and camera monitoring systems allow the fish to feed more efficiently and the monitoring systems are designed to ensure the fish are getting the right amount of food to optimize their growth rates and minimize food wastage.”

“Since we began using this technology we have seen a promising improvement in fish growth rates whilst seeing reductions in food consumed. These results are pleasing even though we have yet to complete a life cycle in the new farms” said Ted Culley Sanford Limited’s Aquaculture Manager.

The overall impact of this development will improve Sanford Bluff’s international production competiveness and will mean the main processing season at our factory in Bluff will be extended by 1½ months from the traditional 9 month processing season as well as an increase in the number of fish processed on a daily basis.

This investment in Sanford’s Southland operation follows on from the $19m purchase of the Jones group assets (inshore and deepwater quota and Bluff Oyster quota) in October 2008.

“Since Sanford purchased the Big Glory operation in 1993 we have continued to invest and develop in this area which is a key part of our New Zealand-wide aquaculture division” said Sanford Limited Managing Director Eric Barratt.