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Fish farm could generate jobs, revenue for Thames

Author
Sam Carran,
Publish Date
Tue, 31 Jan 2017, 5:28AM
Waikato Regional Council says it believes the Thames fish farm could rival the salmon farms in Marlborough Sounds (Getty Images).

Fish farm could generate jobs, revenue for Thames

Author
Sam Carran,
Publish Date
Tue, 31 Jan 2017, 5:28AM

Employment in the Thames-Coromandel area could be like shooting fish in a barrel if a new fish farming space is occupied in the Firth of Thames.

LISTEN ABOVE: Waikato Regional Council senior coastal policy advisor Graeme Silver speaks to Rachel Smalley

The Waikato Regional Council is currently seeking tenders to occupy a 240 hectare zone in what it's describing as a major new economic opportunity.

Senior coastal policy advisor Graeme Silver said over time they believe the additional space could generate $50 million in revenue and rival the production of the salmon farms in the Marlborough Sounds.

Silver said recently there was renewed interest in the zone which could "only be good" for the industry in the region.

"It will pretty much double the amount of jobs that sector is already supporting."

Silver said it is not a done deal yet but there was strong interest in farming kingfish and hapuka.

"So we're inviting proposals, inviting prospective fish farmers to come forward with ideas about what they might want to do and how they're going to do that, and what the benefits of that might be for the community and the country."

Successful tenders will also need to apply to council for a resource consent.

 

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