14 Dec 2012

Online petition against salmon farm questioned

8:16 am on 14 December 2012

The head of a Marlborough Sounds salmon farm is questioning the validity of an 11,000-signature petition opposing plans to more than double its size.

King Salmon's application has been fast tracked through the Environmental Protection Agency and will receive an interim decision on 19 December.

The Government wants to grow aquaculture into a $1 billion industry by 2025.

King Salmon chief executive Grant Rosewarne said the petition was carried out online and there was nothing to stop people signing more than once.

Mr Rosewarne said his company has a proven track record and the expanded farm will create an extra 370 new jobs for the top of the South Island.