Salmon farming in New Zealand

P.R. Todd

Freshwater Fisheries Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Christchurch

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1987, 47: 127-130

Salmon farming began in New Zealand in 1976 with the introduction of ocean ranching. With this method of aquaculture, juvenile salmon are reared in freshwater and then released to the sea where they grow and subsequently return as adults at 2, 3 or 4 years of age to the freshwater release point. Two other methods of culture are also being practised, sea cage rearing and freshwater pond culture. With these 2 methods the salmon are reared to market size while fed an artificial diet. The increased rearing costs of these 2 methods of culture is offset by the higher survival of juvenile salmon to market size compared with ocean ranching. With ocean ranging 1-2% survival is considered the minimum necessary for a successful operation while returns of over 3% have been received at some hatcheries.

Salmon production has increased from about 200 t in 1984-85 season (October to March) to 712 t in 1986-87. Exports in 1986-87 were approximately 353 t valued at $NZ4 million.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Salmon farming; ocean ranching; sea cage rearing; freshwater pond rearing

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Last Updated 03-05-1997