Akaroa King Salmon has reached an agreement with BioMar to become the first king salmon producer to use BioMar’s Blue Impact feed.
Akaroa King Salmon has formalized an agreement with BioMar to become the first King Salmon producer to adopt the Blue Impact feed program, a key move as the company strengthens its sustainability credentials.
The Blue Impact feed incorporates novel ingredients, including cultivated algal oil, fish trimmings, and insect meal, reducing the need for wild-caught fish in aquafeed.
Akaroa had previously trialed the Blue Impact feed, achieving results that helped them secure the Seafood NZ “Future Adaptation” award in 2023. The new partnership with BioMar builds on that success, expanding the use of these sustainable feed ingredients across Akaroa’s production.
Duncan Bates, founder and managing partner of Akaroa King Salmon, commented: “When I first started farming salmon in Akaroa Harbour, almost four decades ago, the feed ingredients essentially relied on wild caught fish as the raw material, and we fed up to 3kg of wild fish to grow 1kg of farmed salmon. Clearly, this wasn’t a sustainable practice.” He added, “With the introduction of Blue Impact, Akaroa King Salmon have started our journey to become a positive fish protein producer, a far cry from those days long ago and a testament to our ongoing aspiration to become a truly sustainable food producer.”
Akaroa’s collaboration with BioMar is part of its broader strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and embrace circular feed practices. Mike Thomson, Commercial Director at BioMar Australia, noted that the partnership is critical for driving innovation and sustainability in the sector.
Nik Mavromatis, Marketing and Sales Manager of Akaroa King Salmon, expressed excitement about the future, saying: “Our customers have high expectations – they want us to continue raising the finest tasting King Salmon while also being mindful of the broader environmental impact, without compromising on the health benefits.”
Akaroa King Salmon, a New Zealand-owned company, produces approximately 1,000 tonnes of King Salmon annually.
