Mt Cook Alpine Salmon to build innovative land-based salmon farm

Mt Cook Alpine Salmon, New Zealand’s leading freshwater King Salmon producer, will build an innovative land-based salmon farm in Twizel region.

Mt Cook Alpine Salmon to build innovative land-based salmon farm
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon land-based farm concept illustration.

Mt Cook Alpine Salmon has announced that it will build New Zealand’s first sustainable, land-based salmon farm in Twizel region. A prototype for the salmon farm is in the early stages of development, with backing from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund. SFF Futures is committing $6.7 million over six years to the $16.7 million project, which was officially launched in Twizel.

“POTENTIAL TO BE A GAME-CHANGER FOR THE COMPANY”
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon CEO, David Cole, said the company is delighted to be partnering with SFF Futures.

“There are always risks associated with innovative projects like this and Government support helps cushion this risk and accelerate outcomes,” said Cole. “Despite the difficult market conditions over the last few years, our customers love the taste of our unique freshwater King Salmon and demand continues to exceed our supply. This co-funding enables us to expand our production capacity through a new way of farming that has the potential to be a game-changer for the company and the aquaculture sector in New Zealand.”

Cole said the plan is to create a sustainable 1000 metric tonne hybrid structure that will use a part flow-through system to emulate the unique conditions of the glacial-fed canals. The facility will be designed to optimise energy use through gravity-fed water and integrating renewable and low-energy solutions.

“This differs from the recirculated water systems used by most overseas land-based farms. The design will capture waste, control the flows better to suit the fish, and provide a stable, ideal growing environment. Being land-based, it has the opportunity to deliver greater automation and monitoring systems in an all-weather working environment,” added Cole. “The nutrients from the salmon operation will be collected to support an aquaponics crop, taking a circular approach and generating value from a zero-value waste stream. This will link to a wetland area that would further purify the water.”

Other initiatives that will be explored through the SFF Futures partnership include new best practice processing standards for ready-to-eat salmon, and trialing the commercial viability of Sockeye salmon, which is usually seasonal and generally only available as wild-caught.

“IT IS AN EXCITING PROJECT”
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Board Chairman, Bill English
, said it is an exciting project.

“Mt Cook Alpine Salmon pioneered salmon farming in the hydro-canals in 1992. It is very fitting that it will continue to lead the way with this innovative approach to a land-based farm. A successful pilot will see the opportunity to scale up and to later replicate the proven concept, with huge potential overseas,” added Sir English.

Steve Penno said that internationally, there are over 70 land-based salmon projects either in their planning stage, under construction, or already in operation.

“Mt Cook Alpine Salmon already has international expertise in building land-based salmon farms within its aquaculture division, and will harness this knowledge. They’ll also consult with global experts to design the advanced water management system.”