6 | Kingfish farm shows promise The kingfish species, known as haku in te reo Māori, has proven particularly well-suited to land-based farming, with excellent flesh quality making it ideal for premium products such as sashimi. T T from page 4 NIWA: Kingfish Aquaculture Facility REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Distribution channels are already well-established, with Sanford handling domestic sales while Leigh Fish manages exports to the United States and Canada. Amanda says the success of these early forays into the market has validated the commercial potential of the operation. She says NIWA’s research indicates that the global market for premium seafood products continues to grow, with particular demand in the high-value segment. The success of the prototype facility could pave the way for a full-scale 3000-tonne operation within five years, potentially creating around 75 new jobs for the region. “The end goal is to produce an industry for New Zealand that creates jobs and another high-value species. This facility will also serve as a proof-of-concept for potential investors, including iwi groups.” She says the project also demonstrates the viability of land-based aquaculture for other species, opening up possibilities for diversification within the industry. This could be particularly significant for regions like Northland, where economic development opportunities have historically been limited. “The facility’s success builds on New Zealand’s natural advantages, including abundant and genetically diverse wild stocks that have supported an advanced broodstock programme,” Amanda says. “This gives NIWA and New Zealand a distinct edge in the global market, as other countries scramble to expand their production capabilities. “With the global demand for sustainable, high-quality seafood continuing to rise, the Ruakaka facility positions New Zealand at the forefront of land-based aquaculture innovation.” Air Liquide: Breathing New Life into Land-Based Aquaculture Behind many successful ish farming operations stands Air Liquide, one of the world's leading industrial gas suppliers whose oxygen technology is revolutionising the aquaculture industry. Operating in over 60 countries, Air Liquide New Zealand brings more than three decades of specialist experience to the sector through its Air Liquide Technology Center (ALTEC), where technical specialists provide tailored advice and process innovations. “We don't just sell gas,” explains Air Liquide application specialist Alex Young. “We collaborate closely with the industry and our East Asia Paci ic cluster ish farm expert, Tianyan Chen who is located in Japan, to provide customised solutions that address speci ic customer needs.” A prime example of this collaborative approach is Air Liquide's work with NIWA and Northland Regional Council on the pioneering land-based king ish farm in Ruakaka. This project showcases how pure oxygen technology supports sustainable aquaculture in New Zealand, with Air Liquide's expertise proving invaluable in designing oxygen delivery systems tailored to king ish cultivation. At the heart of Air Liquide's o ering are advanced oxygen dissolution systems that outperform conventional aeration methods. Its high-e iciency devices include the BICONETM and CS Nozzle systems, alongside electricity-free solutions such as POROXAL and MESOXAL. These technologies maintain optimal dissolved oxygen concentrations at 120 140% saturation. For modern recirculating aquaculture systems like the Ruakaka facility, Air Liquide's technology extends beyond ish respiration, with oxygen also producing ozone for water sterilisation. The company o ers supply options from cylinders to on-site oxygen generators and has embraced digitalisation through monitoring applications that track oxygen levels and enable remote management. While oxygen typically accounts for just 1 10% of total operational costs, Alex says its impact on productivity is substantial. "Some customers have reported a 1.5-fold increase in production capacity. Pure oxygen allows for higher ish density while requiring less water, creating more sustainable operations." The bene its extend to ish health and growth rates, with stable oxygen levels optimising metabolism. Some farmers report 20 30% increases in feed intake and improved feed conversion rates, directly reducing production costs that can exceed NZ$2,000 per tonne of ish. Pure oxygen also prevents nitrogen supersaturation, which can cause gas disease, and provides a safety bu er during power outages. Air Liquide's systems are designed with energy e iciency in mind, consuming less electricity than conventional methods. As land-based aquaculture expands in New Zealand and globally, Air Liquide's experience, innovation and successful projects like the Ruakaka king ish farm position the company as a vital partner in creating sustainable ish farming operations that help meet the world's growing demand for protein.
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