New Zealand King Salmon seawater operations manager Mark Preece told The Marlborough Express that salmon were taking longer to mature than usual.
December water temperature recordings showed the highest temperatures in 14 years, reaching 18ºC, Mr Preece said.
"That's about one degree warmer than usual for that time of year."
As a result the fish at the company's Ruakaka Bay salmon farm in the Marlborough Sounds were not growing as fast as usual, reports the Marlborough Express.
The La Nina weather pattern was responsible for the warmer water temperature, Mr Preece said.
Warm Waters Slow Growth of NZ Salmon
NEW ZEALAND - Scientists fear that fish growth at the New Zealand King Salmon is slowing due to the unseasonably high temperature recorded in the region.
