Why are the fish dying, King Salmon?

Written By: - Date published: 2:09 pm, June 14th, 2012 - 21 comments
Categories: farming, food, sustainability - Tags:

No-one seems to know why the fish keep dying at King Salmon’s Waihinau farm in Pelorus Sound – or if they do they aren’t telling us.

King Salmon’s aquaculture general manager Mark Preece recently commented that up to seven per cent of fish were dying each day at the Pelorus Sound marine farm. Testing by the Ministry of Primary Industries (then known as Agriculture and Fisheries) confirmed the fish were clear of all known viruses and bacterial diseases.

Testing had ruled out site and seabed conditions, including low oxygen levels, said chief executive, Grant Rosewarne.

“In all our years of salmon farming we have never known the seabed to contribute to a high rate of mortality and it is not something (the ministry) has identified as a possible cause of concern.”

Ecologist Rob Schuckard, of French Pass, recently questioned why King Salmon had not followed protocol provided by Cawthron, their science provider, for managing its Waihinau Bay and Forsyth Bay sites between 2010 and 2012.

An independent science report showed the worst pollution under a King Salmon farm was at Waihinau in 2009, Mr Schuckard said.

Hydrogen sulphide gas, which was harmful to fish, was present and copper and zinc levels exceeded levels allowed under their resource consent.

Advice was that it would take eight or more years for the seabed to recover but after being fallowed in early 2010, the site was reoccupied only 18 months later.

And this from the Government aquaculture site; Seabed Effects.

Salmon farms affect the seabed directly beneath them through faeces and uneaten feed falling to the seafloor. These organic-rich particles can alter the physical, chemical and biological nature of the seabed. Organic enrichment increases microbial activity that, in turn, can lead to oxygen depletion in the sediment (and subsequent changes to biodiversity).

Possible causes included combined effects of towing the farm from Forsyth Bay to Waihinau in November 2011 (unlikely as this was over three months ago), high water temperatures last summer (‘yeah right’ – last summer was hardly a scorcher) and seal attacks (laughable). An infectious disease, or a one-off event such as an algae bloom (the irony), were other possibilities.

Maybe it had something to do with stuffing tens of thousands of these fish into an environment that is nothing like they have evolved to deal with. It is interesting that this has not been offered up as a potential cause.

With National running the Ministry of Primary Industries like a corporation it is likely King Salmon will be confirmed disease free again in the future. King Salmon like to talk about how it is in their best interests to keep the water clean and disease free but at the end of the day they are a for profit foreign-owned company -nothing more and nothing less always pushing the limits.

King Salmon’s chief executive, Grant Rosewarne, has said “testing by the Ministry and King Salmon, in New Zealand and overseas, had failed to discover what was causing fish at Waihinau to become emaciated, stop eating then die”. He continued: “The healthy fish are staying healthy and the affected ones are slowly dying off.”

So only the affected fish have a problem Mr Rosewarne and they are slowly dying, so really there is ‘no problem’ and hey, the healthy fish are staying healthy. Well, that’s until they start dying!

But every cloud has a silver lining:

Dead fish are rendered at a temperature above boiling point to make fertiliser, pet food and animal feed now, instead of being dumped in the Blenheim landfill.

MrSmith

21 comments on “Why are the fish dying, King Salmon? ”

  1. vto 1

    It is most essential to keep in mind that, as business keeps saying, companies and business exist solely for the purpose of making money. Nothing else.

    As such, the environment is only a consideration to the extent that it affects profit. Nothing else.

    As such, they don’t give a shit. Why on earth would anyone trust a company or business outside of this narrow scope? Only a fool would.

  2. tsmithfield 2

    I suspect the 7% death rate is still far better than occurs in the wild.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.1

      I suspect you’re talking out your arse to try and hide the fact (most likely from yourself) that corporate culture is being proved wrong – again.

    • vto 2.2

      Sheesh tsmithfield I do wonder about you sometimes. 7% is massive. What other business would survive with 7% of its stock disappearing every single day. All the fish would be gone in a couple of weeks.

      There is something very fishy going on here ….

    • Bored 2.3

      TS, Had you paid attention in 4th form biology you might have learnt a little about biomass and fish size amongst salmonids…in short in the wild bugger all fish make it to mature size. In a farmed environment the bulk of fish make it, so a 7% die off must be a worry.

  3. Dv 3

    >>>up to seven per cent of fish were dying each day>>>

    7% PER DAY
    although that sounds high, that would mean most of the stock would die in 15 to 20 days!!!

  4. lostinsuburbia 4

    And they are going through the EPA to increase their operations in the Marlborough Sounds. Its been called in by the Minister on the basis of “economic grounds”. Great.

    • vto 4.1

      More lies from this government. It is being called in because the application wouldn’t be able to stand up to scrutiny in the usual RMA process.

      More proof that this lot are corrupt.

    • Kotahi Tane Huna 4.2

      EPA: gone by lunchtime.

      I think the Serious Fraud Office and the Police need to take a much more robust approach to the National Party’s activities.

  5. joe90 5

    And a wider concern is the impact of the Krill catch on Antarctic ecosystems.

    • Bored 5.1

      It gets worse Joe, krill and other creatures that set their shells from disolved ocean calcium are threatened by ocean acidification…ugly concepts becoming a reality that could kill the whole ocean food chain at source. Then there will be no feeding the salmon.

      • True Freedom is Self-Governance 5.1.1

        How many people worldwide depend on the ocean for their food in one way or another, even if it is just for seaweed fertilizer for their crops? When will people realise that the damage is already glaringly obvious if they just bothered to open their eyes? Our individualistic society appears unable to connect the dots and see the flow-on effect’s of their actions within a larger context. The acidification is largely caused by the absorption of excess carbon from the atmosphere, and will only get worse the more we pump out the carbon. Instead of being disturbed by this, climate change ostriches use the information to claim we cant be affecting our climate because the carbon apparantly isn’t hanging around in the sky, as if the ocean is just a huge buffer that will infinitely neutralise all the waste from our excessive lifestyles. Doh!

        • Bored 5.1.1.1

          The sadder part is that people compartmentalise ecosystems so that they cannot see the whole, the inner links etc. No plankton means a die off of not only most of the oceans biomass, but also much of the land…the nutrient cycle and dependencies between each are just so extensive and complex. Yet we still insist of seeing things in isolation.

          Interestingly we can ameliorate most of this damage by simple changes: you mentioned one, carbon emissions: if we were all to walk and cycle where possible we could make a major dent in this. Who will however?

          • prism 5.1.1.1.1

            Something that rarely is mentioned when discussing diverting river water for irrigation is the effects of this ‘wasted’ water on the sea. If there is less pure water to dilute the sea, won’t that affect the coastal species that have developed in that particular environment. And if the lesser amount of water has high nitrogen and faecal matter in it from our lovely Jersey moos, won’t that bring on some reaction? Yes it does, shellfish beds get closed, and massive blooms anyone and not even Mother’s Day!

            • vto 5.1.1.1.1.1

              I think if we could see the sea floor and the damage and pillaging that has taken place we would be horrified.

              The entire New Zealand coastline should be carved up into 30-40km segments, with each segment alternating between standard fishing etc and marine reserves.

              Imagine the increase in sealife !

              Why wouldn’t ya?

                • vto

                  Well thanks mr marty, good of you to say so. I’m sure if we just keep talking we will come to eventual agreement on most everything else too.

              • True Freedom is Self-Governance

                Brilliant idea. Surely it just makes sense. After all, even on intensive farms they allow the paddocks to rest between grazings.

            • True Freedom is Self-Governance 5.1.1.1.1.2

              Very good point prism. I was aware of both factors seperately but never considered the magnified impact they have when you combine them. Our poor coastlines. Starved and overfed at the same time.

          • True Freedom is Self-Governance 5.1.1.1.2

            “Who will however?”

            Precisely. A lot of people ask why they should make changes to their lifestyle if others aren’t bothering, or if making the morally right choices costs them much more. And I wholly agree about compartmentalising, it’s part of that individualistic mentality that so often prevents us from seeing the bigger picture, and it permeates every aspect of our lives. It’s all good and well to break things down as far as possible to learn about them in great detail, but if you cant take that knowledge and see where it fits into the bigger picture then it’s a pointless exercise because nothing exists alone.

    • Jackal 5.2

      There’s been a lot of mass fish deaths reported recently. From Nordreisa in Norway, Chesapeake Bay in the US, Chiba in China, to Sochi in Russia just to name a few areas experiencing higher than usual fish deaths.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-29T12:08:56+00:00