NZ King Salmon is ready to bring economic benefits

NZ King Salmon is ready to bring economic benefits to Top of the South

The EPA Board of Inquiry hearings are finished, the final decisions have been handed down and we have the green light to get on with bringing new prosperity to our region.

NZ King Salmon has provided comments to the Board of Inquiry on minor and technical issues. All submitters have had the opportunity to do likewise. While we have 15 working days to decide on whether or not to appeal the board’s final determination, at this stage it seems unlikely that NZ King Salmon will appeal. Appeals can only be made on points of law.

Currently every year we create almost $25 million in wages and salaries for the area. The EPA’s Board of Inquiry has given us the green light for four new farms covering only six surface hectares.

That will enable us to double production to 15,000 tonnes over the coming years bringing in to the country an extra $60 million a year in export income and ultimately adding much-needed new jobs to the region.

We will also gather valuable scientific knowledge so the Marlborough Sounds can be better managed as a multiuse area. At no cost to the ratepayer we will be funding a comprehensive research programme of nitrogen levels from all sources, not just fish farms. That research will establish baseline levels of nitrogen in the Sounds and their sources to support our contention that nitrogen levels from fish farms have little effect on the environment.

Even though there has never been an issue with king shags, we will be funding a programme to monitor population levels and if need be ensure the community as a whole can better care for these important birds.

The scientific programme will be monitored by a peer review panel of expert scientists. They will serve in an advisory role for the company, Marlborough District Council and iwi. All their insights will be available to the public.

We have received great support from the Top of the South community. People understand that commerce and conservation can work together. We look forward to getting on with the task at hand and bringing our new farms on stream so we can support the economic wellbeing of the Top of the South.
Grant Rosewarne, CEO, NZ King Salmon

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