New Zealand Approves New Salmon Farm, Production to Double

According to SalmonBusiness, New Zealand has approved the construction of an open‑ocean salmon farm near Rakiura (Stewart Island) with an annual production capacity of 14,400 tonnes. Its additional production capacity is nearly equivalent to the total output of New Zealand’s existing salmon farming industry.

Ngāi Tahu Seafood Resources has secured approval via the fast‑track consent pathway for the Hananui aquaculture project. The project comprises four marine farms covering approximately 1,285 hectares, located around 13 kilometres from Oban.

The new facility is projected to produce 14,400 tonnes of king salmon per year, generate over NZD 310 million in annual sales, and create between 415 and 480 jobs.

Up to 80 circular offshore sea cages will be built across the four farms, along with supporting facilities such as feed barges.

This approval makes Hananui the first aquaculture project to receive consent under New Zealand’s newly‑enacted Fast‑track Approvals Act.

The project forms part of the New Zealand Government’s strategy to advance open‑ocean aquaculture. New Zealand aims to lift the annual revenue of its aquaculture industry to NZD 3 billion by 2035.