New Zealand’s national government is planning to build and operate a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) yellowtail farm with an expected cost of NZD 19.8 million (USD 12.5 million, EUR 11 million).
The facility will be built and operated at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) Northland Marine Research Centre at Bream Bay, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones said in 6 March statement.
Jones said that the farm has the potential to produce 600 tons of yellowtail kingfish to market size on land each year.
“If proven, this system will produce high-value aquaculture products with global appeal that are produced sustainably and efficiently,” Jones said. “World demand for sustainable products like kingfish is increasing, particularly for the high-end sushi market. Local restaurant suppliers have also shown a demand for kingfish if its supply and quality is consistent.”
Jones said the project will create 18 jobs in Northland and if kingfish production is “proven viable at 600 tons a year,” the farm can have a production of 3,000 tons in five years, producing revenue of up to NZD 45 million (USD 28.3 million, EUR 25 million) annually.
If successful, similar RAS facilities could be built in other areas in the country, Jones said.
“Successful expansion will give the private sector the opportunity to invest in larger recirculating aquaculture operations, not only in Northland but nationwide,” he said. “The knowledge gained through this initiative could contribute to the potential development of other land-based aquaculture, which would complement the rest of the industry.”
As the new RAS farm will primarily use recycled water, the project’s sustainability credentials are high, Jones said. Both New Zealand’s federal government and the provincial government where the project will be based are committed to supporting “high-value, land-based aquaculture.”
New Zealand’s Provincial Growth Fund is investing NZD 6 million (USD 3.7 million, EUR 3.3 million) in the pilot, Niwa will contribute NZD 7.9 million (USD 4.9 million, EUR 4.4 million), and the Northland Regional Council will commit up to NZD 6 million (USD 3.7 million, EUR 3.3 million) to pay for the project’s buildings and infrastructure.
The project is in line with the government’s aquaculture strategy and its aim of achieving NZD 3 billion (USD 1.8 billion, EUR 1.7 billion) in annual aquaculture sales by 2035.
“This is the type of innovation the PGF wants to invest in. It is testing technology that could bring major sustainable economic growth not only to Northland but the rest of the country,” Jones said.
Photo courtesy of RnDmS/Shutterstock
