Opening of the newly completed kingfish RAS land-based farm in Ruakākā , Northland, New Zealand.
Photo: Stuart Mackay / NIWA.
Yesterday, August 13, 2024, was the official opening day of the RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) facility designed to introduce a new species into New Zealand aquaculture. Commercial-scale production of kingfish (Seriola) - "a high-value, white-fleshed finfish to complement salmon," as its NZ promoters define it - is now a reality in the Oceanic country.
A joint venture by New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the Northland Regional Council, the facility, is located at NIWA's Northland Aquaculture Centre in Ruakākā and has been designed to demonstrate the commercial viability of land-based aquaculture, with capacity to produce up to 600 tons of kingfish per year.
Both entities see the farm as a maiden project that will catalyze New Zealand's land-based aquaculture industry, being a proof of concept that will spur similar farms funded by both the private and public sectors across the country.
"We saw a clear gap in the market for an on-land farm that produces commercial quantities of high-quality fish. This new facility uses a recirculating aquaculture system [RAS], which offers superior environmental and economic performance, and full control over all aspects of production," explained John Morgan, Chief Executive of NIWA.
"Kingfish are known for their rapid growth and efficient conversion of feed to flesh. Our fish grow from a 1mm egg to a 3kg market-sized fish in less than 12 months. Our extensive research and experimentation has identified the conditions that maximise the health and welfare of the fish," he continued.
NIWA's Chief Executive added that the farm not only introduces a new species to help New Zealand meet the huge global demand for seafood but will help the industry reach its ambitious NZD 3 billion (EUR 1.6 billion / USD 1.8 billion) target by 2035.
As mentioned above, the RAS facility is a joint venture by NIWA and the Northland Regional Council, which constructed the premises that are leased to New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. It represents a significant investment in the Northland economy, as pointed out by Northland Regional Council Chairman Geoff Crawford.
"Beyond the jobs created and revenue generated for our community, this venture has helped to put Northland on the map in terms of forward-thinking, environmentally friendly farming," he said. "It sets a great precedent, and we hope that the success of this venture will spark investment in larger RAS operations, and unlock the economic growth potential of other marine species."
The Chairman of Northland Regional Council added that the farm has already attracted significant interest from the food industry and commercial partners. "Chefs and local restaurant suppliers sing the praises of the quality of our kingfish," Geoff Crawford explained.
If a year ago it was the Southland region that made public its aspirational goal "to unlock the potential of Murihiku Southland aquaculture to be a NZD 1 billion industry" - this is about EUR 545 million / USD 600 million -, now it is Northland that joins the growing pro-aquaculture trend in New Zealand with its ambition to reach NZD 3 billion by 2035.
Waikako had also done it. Its Regional Council presented an ambitious strategy that aims to double the value of the region's aquaculture exports to NZD 180 million (EUR 98 million / USD 108 million) by 2044. But they are not only the regions that are betting on aquaculture in New Zealand, the national authorities are also implementing plans and measures to boost aquaculture in the country.
In April, New Zealand's Coalition Government announced fisheries and aquaculture would have to deal with less bureaucracy, and in June it presented a bill to extend current marine farm licenses up to 20 years. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said then they want to deliver the country's aquaculture industry the confidence and security it needs to grow.
Both initiatives join others launched after he arrived in office, such as the research focusing on breeding snapper suitable for commercial fish farming, the consultation on proposals to help solve the kina barrens problem or the backing of a mussel spat project to increase survival rates of New Zealand mussels.