New Zealand King Salmon is farming for the future
With over 30 years in the aquaculture business New Zealand King Salmon (NZKS) knows a thing or two about resilience. And this longevity is balanced with fresh vision – with an eye to distant horizons and the open ocean, the future is looking very ‘blue’ for NZKS.
“The recent positive decision allowing us to farm at our open ocean Blue Endeavour site near the Cook Strait means we are feeling very optimistic about the future,” says CEO Carl Carrington.
While innovation is in their DNA, farming in this new open ocean frontier will be no mean feat. As New Zealand’s first open ocean finfish farm, Blue Endeavour will involve a significant step change in technology and engineering requirements, and investment. “But we are up for the challenge,” says Carl. “We are also hopeful that the development of Blue Endeavour will be the catalyst for significant regional development that will only strengthen the already strong blue economy in Te Tauihu.”
This company lives and breathes the King Salmon species. Having full control of the value chain – nurturing a salmon from a fish egg to the final, delicious product – means they can provide safe and optimal products to seafood lovers around Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad. This attention to detail and meaningful provenance has seen their Ōra King Salmon revered by Michelin-starred chefs globally. But it’s not just all about the end product for the company – with a big focus on its people, communities and sustainable aquaculture practices, constant evolution and improvement is central to NZKS’ values.
Respecting and using the whole fish is a key focus for NZKS. The Omega Plus pet food range is an excellent example of building in a circular design approach, turning unused off-cuts into high-value pet food products. Maintaining independent verification of their practices to the highest standard is also very important to the company and its customers.
With a commitment to developing sustainable practices, the company is working to ensure their farming has a ‘light touch’ on the environment. “Sustainability is not a destination, it is a journey,” says Carl. “But it’s a journey that we are deeply committed to as a company.”