Untitled Document

Putting the rumors to bed….

While the weather has been against most boating and farmers are up against mother nature, our planning to release the kingfish we have purchased is progressing well.

On a contact issue, if folk are having difficulty in contacting me at present! It is because I am away at the Marine Transport conference, and in doing so I am doing my best to stay in touch with you all. I am on mobile or you can leave a message with Hamish in my office.

In saying this, a number of valid questions have come to my attention, all of which deserve an answer before the rumor-mongers get too carried away. I will endeavor to deal with each and every question in turn and where I cannot give the answer I will seek this information from the professionals.

The rumor-monger questions posed by some who have not followed the process todate are…..

The fish are diseased? Wrong! the fish are very healthy and only fish selected by the NIWA professionals as being suitable for release will be released into the wild in accordance with our permit

The fish are mushy and of a substandard quality? Wrong! the fish have been in an on growing process for the lucrative chilled fish export market where one of the prime uses is as sashimi. As we all know mushy soft substandard fish are not suitable for this Asian discerning market.

The farm is in receivership because the fish are no good? Wrong! The farm is ceasing operations, because the equipment purchased from the Danish suppliers has not delivered the production levels originally quoted to meet the required performance levels. Once closed the equipment will be repaired and serviced prior to selling the complex.

The fish are raised on pellet food and do not know how to eat fish? Wrong! These fish know how to eat fish alright and are in fact cannibals. This is why the farm must keep the size classes separate or if you mix them the larger fish soon monster and eat the smaller fish. The other factor is the farm provides a balanced diet to ensure the fish are not hungry or feel the urge to eat their mates.

The fish are not street wise and will become fish fodder for other fish? Yes this is a risk but one that can be managed by selecting the right release sites that can provide shelter. One’s with plenty of available natural bait food. These fish will seek shelter and information to date suggests that they will stay as a school for mutual protection and hunting as they acclimatise to the wild.

The farm is still selling fish? Correct! While we have been preparing to release the fish, the farm has continued to remain operational and export the larger fish that are ready for the markets. This was always going to be the case and our subsequent contract to purchase the fish suitable for release and raising of the farms problem has assisted in opening up new local market opportunities for the large fish. A win win for the farm owners, because this additional revenue is funding the farms operation in keeping the fish alive and healthy beyond the original closure date. We should not forget that in the many many tones of fish we have purchased there are literally thousands of fish we have to tag and prepare for release.

The released fish will not improve our wild kingfish stocks? This is a hard statement and in part correct. Yes the many thousands if fish we are about to release maybe a tot in the ocean. But these protagonists need reminding that what we are doing is new and will provide future robust information on kingfish and as such this information will prove valuable. It may well open the doors for future localized enhancement opportunities. Above all it demonstrates our commitment and ability to work together in a shared fishery

There is a lack of information? Two no’s here. In establishing this web site we have tried to remain transparent and as such the information we have supplied is hot off the press. No we are not on a mission to deceive. We have too many recreational fishers and professional organizations who see this as a shared fishery project to even consider the options of this might not happen or even fudge a deal.
As we put the pegs in the ground, this is a project that is going to happen with the support all. It is always an unfortunate situation that when many folk are trying to do good there will be some who will only find fault and in doing so work behind closed curtains. Fortunately for this project we have the support of many respected clubs, fishers and professionals who see this as a worth while project that will give us better information in the future. This is a project that would not have happened without this joint support from every one, from recreational fishers to the many fishing clubs and our anchor sponsors, Sanford Limited, NIWA, MFish and the Parengarenga Fishfarm Limited.

Thank you all

Keith Ingram

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