THE planned expansion of the salmonid industry in Tasmania and New Zealand was the catalyst for a $36 million redevelopment at Skretting’s fish feed plant on Hobart’s Eastern Shore.
Officially unveiled by Premier Lara Giddings and Skretting’s Norway-based Chief operating officer, Knut Nesse, the installation of a second production line and the upgrading of the existing production line will double the Cambridge plant’s capacity to 140,000 tonnes of fish feed per annum.
Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings and Skretting's Kelly Knibbs at the recent official unveiling of the redeveloped Skretting fish feed facility at Cambridge.
Skretting Australia managing director James Rose said the expansion works were necessary as the plant was running at capacity.
“Our market is expanding by 10 per cent every year,” he said.
“Doubling our capacity sends a very strong message to the aquaculture industry that we believe in its future, and will meet the needs of industry for its next phase of development.
“Importantly, the expansion works were concluded in time for the industry’s peak production season.”
Skretting exports about 25 per cent of its feed to New Zealand. Over the past 10 years these exports have been in excess of $200 million.
Mr Rose said from a Tasmanian perspective, while the company directly employed 57 people in the state, the industry it supported directly employed 700 Tasmanians and was worth $400 million annually.
“Aquculture in Tasmania is a strong supporter of the regional communities in which it operates,” he said.
“The fact that we are not only supporting the industry to grow but also the communities where the 700 employees live is a very positive aspect of our business.”
“Being the major supplier to the New Zealand Chinook salmon industry is also a responsibility that we take very seriously.”
Mr Nesse, who is also a member of the executive board of Skretting’s parent company, Nutreco, one of the world’s largest animal nutrition companies, said aquaculture was one of the fastest growing animal production sectors.
“Our customers in this region have expanded significantly over the past few years,” he said.
“This investment clearly demonstrates our commitment to support their growth and to maintain our market leader position in the fish feed market.
“Growth is expected to continue at a high rate for all major farmed species in the coming years.
“This renewed plant will offer our customers great efficiency and flexibility, combined with the highest environmental and feed-to-food safety standards.”
Skretting is the world leader in the production and supply of feed for farmed fish and shrimp, producing 1.4 million tonnes of feed per annum at 21 factories located in the world’s key aquaculture regions.
Skretting Australia supplies 200 different types of feed for fish from hatchery to harvest.
Species catered for include Atlantic and Chinook salmon and trout, barramundi, yellowtail kingfish, Bluefin tuna and native species.
