Science Centres: Fisheries

Juvenile kingfish. (Photo: NIWA)

Growing high-value species is all about getting the conditions right. NIWA is measuring the performance of kingfish in different environments, in readiness for new marine space becoming available.

We’re comparing growth rates of thousands of electronically-tagged kingfish at Bream Bay (Northland) and Mahanga Bay (Wellington), where temperatures are about 4–5o C cooler. Results so far show a clear difference: after four months the warmer water fish average about 500 g heavier than their cooler water counterparts.

“This suggests that kingfish are best grown in northern climes,” says Michael Bruce, aquaculture leader of NIWA’s National Centre for Fisheries & Aquaculture. “Kingfish farms established in the north of New Zealand would have a competitive advantage over South Australian farms, where cooler temperatures force kingfish to grow significantly slower in winter.” Hapuka – another high-value species NIWA is developing – is likely to do better in colder temperatures.

The kingfish trials will run until about February 2009. Hapuka trials are due to begin next year. This research is funded by NIWA’s Capability Fund.