Fish farms supported

Press, 29 December 1979, Page 5

Fish farms supported

Those objecting to the possibility of commercial trout farming in New Zealand have little to fear, according to Mr M. J. Batey, a farm advisory officer of the Ministry of Agriculture. Mr Batey, who recently returned to New Zealand after spending a year with the advisory service of the West of Scotland Agriculture College, said he studied trout farming in Britain. He saw nothing at several fish farms he visited -hat would suggest a “drastic reason’’ to not have trout and salmon farming in New Zealand. If the fish were given the right care and attention there was little

chance of disease, Mr Batev said.

The only problems he saw occurring arose from poor management. Fish died if they were overstocked in the fingerling stage or the fingerlings were not given enough oxygen. Fish farms were becoming diversified. Mr Batey said. On one farm fingerlings were raised in tanks and then transfered to channels about. 100 metres long and 20 metres wide. This particular farm fattened about 150,000 fish a year, which sold for about $4.30 a kilogram wholesale. The "cream" for the

fish farmer was selling fishing rights, Mr Batey said.

Fish over about o.9kg were put in a lake. Fishermen paid about $6 for a day’s fishing, which entitled them to two fish. If they caught more than two, the fish had to be paid for or could be given to the farm for sale. About 12,000 fish were caught in the lake each year ano 22,000 fishermen took advantage of the fishing. Mr Batey said he also visited a saimon farm which occupied about half a hectare in a loch. The fish were raised in small fenced-off pens. This method had proved successful. The only problem

was storms which often damaged the pens and either killed the fish or allowed them to escape.