Our Salmon
With over 35 years experience, we are the largest producer of farmed King salmon in the world. A rare and unique species known for its exceptional quality and taste, we manage every step of the process from egg to plate.
King salmon origins
King salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha), are the largest of the Pacific salmon. Native to the north west coast of North America and North East Asia, King salmon were first introduced into New Zealand from northern California as a game fish in the late 19th century. In the 1980s New Zealand entrepreneurs sought to develop salmon farms in the cool, deep waters of the Marlborough Sounds.
King salmon is the only salmon species farmed in New Zealand, whilst the rest of the world farms the more common Atlantic salmon species (Salmo salar).
King salmon are anadromous fish; they are born in fresh water, spend most of their life at sea before returning to fresh water to spawn. We mimic this natural lifecycle in our farming operations.
We supply more than
%
of the world’s King salmon
Unique characteristics
Hover over the salmon image below to find out about the unique characteristics of King salmon.
Only
%
of the world’s salmon is King salmon
A unique species
Of all the salmon species, King salmon are the most challenging to farm. They are notoriously fussy and can be difficult to handle without causing damage. With over 35 years of experience, we have the know-how to take care of this unique breed.
That’s why we ensure we have only 2% salmon to
%
water in all our seafarm pens
King salmon nutritional requirements
King salmon are carnivorous fish, in the wild they are opportunistic feeders and will eat everything from flies on the surface of the water to juvenile birds. Our feed is specially formulated to meet the changing demands throughout their lifecycle and it contains all the essential nutrients required for optimum growth and health.
Great taste, good health
With the highest oil content of all salmon species, King salmon is an excellent source of high-quality protein.
Full of flavour with a deliciously delicate texture, it is also a good source of omega-3 levels per serving compared to other salmon and seafood species, which helps support healthy hearts, brains and joints.