New Zealand King Salmon employees push for salmon farms
Pelorus Sound could get an extra salmon farm under the MPI proposal. (File photo)
"I have three children and a mortgage that I help to pay for."
The words of a New Zealand King Salmon worker pleading for the company's farm relocation plan to get the green light.
The processing plant worker was one of many employees to make a submission on the proposal.
A map of the proposed salmon farm sites in the Pelorus Sound.
King Salmon staff from net cleaners to marketers have thrown their weight behind the plan to relocate six salmon farms in the Marlborough Sounds, saying it would give them greater job security.
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However, company chief executive Grant Rosewarne said jobs were not at risk.
A proposed salmon farm site in Tory Channel.
King Salmon was in "growth mode", and workers had no reason to feel apprehensive about the proposal, Rosewarne said.
"There's no risk to any jobs at King Salmon," he said.
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Submissions on the proposal though, made public on Tuesday, showed employees were anxious.
One employee said he thought jobs would be affected and he wanted the hearings panel, which would make recommendations on the plan, to know that.
Another worker said he needed a "secure job to feed my five children, and bring them up in a healthy country".
Rosewarne said staff were free to make submissions, and it was "exciting" there was so much support for the idea.
In total, 588 submissions were received from members of the public; from workers, residents, restaurateurs and environmental groups.
The employee with three children could not be reached for comment.
"I support the moving of the farms because of better quality fish, more sales, and I will be able to continue working there," his submission added.
The Ministry for Primary Industries proposal, announced in January, involved moving up to six salmon farms from their current locations at low-flow sites to high-flow sites to achieve better environmental outcomes.
The new farms were expected to boost the region's economy by $49 million and create 511 fulltime jobs.
The next step in the process were the hearings. They were scheduled to start on Monday and run until May 17.
Community groups Friends of Nelson Haven and the Kenepuru & Central Sounds Residents Association, who have already publicly voiced their opposition to the proposal, put in a joint submission spanning more than 200 pages.
King Salmon itself also put in a submission, saying it wanted to give visitors more of a reason to visit Marlborough.
"We want to be a draw-card attraction to the region," the submission said.
A Blenheim resident disputed the accuracy of Minister Nathan Guy's statement that the proposal was about making better use of aquaculture space.
"The high-flow farms would be distributing the equivalent of the nitrogen in sewerage from a city the size of Christchurch straight into the sea," her submission said.
Despite continued strong opposition from some submitters, a number of residents and businesses were behind King Salmon.
Arbour Restaurant in Blenheim, Boating Marlborough and Beachcomber Cruises in Picton were among those who supported the relocation plan.
Fellow marine farmers Arapawa Ltd also supported King Salmon, saying they were "great neighbours".
"Their people have volunteered and helped us with paua re-seeding in Tory Channel, helping to replenish dwindling stocks."
Pelorus Mail Boat owner Jim Baillie said the process was not democratic, and he was concerned about the effect the farms might have on the tourism industry.
"The feedback from tourists is that they are looking for quieter and more remote areas, and they choose the Pelorus Sound over Queen Charlotte Sound for this reason," his submission said.
Submissions to the MPI consultation document can be read here.
- The Marlborough Express
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