New Zealand king salmon farmers prepare for aquaculture boom

New Zealand king salmon farmers are experiencing a surge in demand as other key international markets continue to wrestle with sea lice infestations and the depleted stocks that tend to come with them, according to a report from News Now.

The country is expecting an “aquaculture boom” to soon take hold, especially when it comes to salmon, which the farmers say are protected from costly scourges like sea like and other parasites due to New Zealand's remoteness.

Demand for salmon is growing by six to seven percent annually, and in order to meet the demand, it’s important that salmon farming step up and feed the market, Grant Rosewarne, CEO of NZ King Salmon, told the newspaper.

"If the volume doesn't keep up with that, and it's not, salmon prices will rise and that's what you're seeing happening," Rosewarne said.

Scientists and aquaculture experts in New Zealand are looking to industries overseasfor examples of what’s working and what isn’t, especially in regard to increasing salmon numbers.

"We can learn from them and they can learn from us," Rosewarne said.