| 3 RURAL PEOPLE » Salmon Smolt Salmon farms well served by quality hatchery Fish health and performance manager Michael Avis. The Silverstream salmon hatchery near Kaiapoi. Kim Newth At Salmon Smolt New Zealand’s Silverstream Hatchery in Kaiapoi, North Canterbury, general manager Lukas Hetzler is upbeat about the growth prospects ahead for King Salmon and New Zealand’s aquaculture industry. “It’s an exciting time for the industry,” says Lukas, citing the Government’s target to grow aquaculture to a $3 billion industry by 2035. “As the wider industry picks up pace, our shareholders expect to see further growth too.” Salmon Smolt New Zealand has a valuable role in supporting some of the country’s leading King salmon farmers and exporters. The hatchery operation supplies young salmon, known as smolt, to four key shareholders – Akaroa Salmon, High Country Salmon, Sanford and Mount Cook Salmon. All bar High Country Salmon have hatcheries of their own but having access to Salmon Smolt’s stock adds another layer of certainty for these businesses. “If something goes wrong with those hatcheries or they have a gap they need to fill, they know we’re here to back them up,” says Lukas. “The smolt we provide are very important from that perspective. In total, we supply around 550,000 to 650,000 smolt each year.” From spawning to egg incubation and raising young fish, Silverstream provides a clean, quality hatchery service. Two spawning events every year ensure there’s always enough young stock coming through to keep South Island salmon farms well supplied. Salmon Smolt New Zealand also supports Westland Fish and Game with young salmon for the Lake Kaniere put-and-take fishery. Lukas says their hatchery’s cool, clear water is ideal for egg incubation and for raising smolt. “We’re lucky to be close to a spring head at Silverstream, which ensures we have really great water to use for our fish operations.” Salmon Smolt has additional holding space at its other facility in Winchmore, Ashburton. Once young salmon reach 15g in the Silverstream raceways, they are transferred to Ashburton for the final finishing phase ahead of transfer to commercial salmon farms. “We also hold most of our brood stock at Winchmore - it’s a salmon farm in the middle of a dairy farm, which is pretty unique!” Salmon is a major export earner for New Zealand, with key export markets including the USA, China and Australia. New Zealand’s salmon exports climbed past $200 million in 2024. While most of the world produces Atlantic salmon, New Zealand specialises in premium Chinook salmon, otherwise known as King salmon. It’s one of nature’s superfoods, being an excellent source of Omega-3s and essential nutrients. King salmon from New Zealand is often described as ‘the champagne of salmon’ because of its superb taste. Aquaculture is a big OXFORD EDGE ACCOUNTING. ADVICE. STRATEGY. Good businesses need more than good numbers. We bring straight-talking advice, commercial thinking and a team that genuinely cares about your success. FIND YOUR EDGE > 03 379 6710 www.oxfordedge.co.nz employer in New Zealand too with a team 3,000 producing our King salmon, Greenshell mussels and Pacific oysters. Lukas, who grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada, took up his role at Salmon Smolt New Zealand some 18 months ago. Inspired by his grandfather, who was a lobster fisherman, Lukas completed a Master’s degree in Fisheries Research Management and has since acquired extensive experience in aquaculture across both Canada and New Zealand.“I love showing school groups through the hatchery and letting young people know about all the opportunities out there in aquaculture.” Design, Fabrication, Machining. waimakengineering.co.nz stu@waimakeng.co.nz
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