New Zealand's first land-based salmon farm

 With the support of the New Zealand Government and backing from the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund, Mount Cook Alpine Salmon will be developing a prototype of New Zealand's first sustainable, land-based salmon farm.

Plans have been unveiled for the construction of a prototype facility in Twizel, Canterbury. Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker attended the launch and visited the freshwater salmon farms, where SFF Futures announced their commitment of $6.7 million over six years to the $16.7 million project.

The facility will be designed to optimise energy use through gravity-fed water and integrating renewable and low-energy solutions, differing from how most overseas land-based farms use a recirculated water system. It's also planned to be a 1000 tonne hybrid structure that will use a part flow-through system to emulate the unique conditions of the glacial-fed canals.

Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Board Chairman, Sir Bill English, says it is an exciting project.

'Mt Cook Alpine Salmon pioneered salmon farming in the hydro-canals in 1992. It is very fitting that it will continue to lead the way with this innovative approach to a land-based farm. A successful pilot will see the opportunity to scale up and to later replicate the proven concept, with huge potential overseas,' says Sir English.

The location of the farm had yet to be determined but would be within either the Mackenzie or Waitaki Districts.

Steve Penno, MPI's director of investment programmes, says that internationally there are over 70 land-based salmon projects either in their planning stage, under construction, or already in operation.

'Mt Cook Alpine Salmon already has international expertise in building land-based salmon farms within its aquaculture division and will harness this knowledge. They'll also consult with global experts to design the advanced water management system.'

The featured image is a concept illustration of what the land-based farm may look like.

About Mt Cook Alpine Salmon

A leading producer of freshwater King Salmon in New Zealand and the first salmon farm in Australiasia to be BAP (Best Aquaculture Practice) rated.

The company operates five salmon farms in the unique glacier-fed hydro-canals that run through the Mackenzie and Waitaki districts. The also own two hatcheries with shares in a third along with a large primary processing plant in Timaru and a secondary one in Christchurch where it produces its popular Aoraki smoked product range.  

To find out more visit HERE.