NZ King Salmon cuts forecast as fish show signs of stress in warmer waters.
New Zealand King Salmon has lowered its harvest forecast for the 2025 financial year, citing reduced feed uptake and smaller-than-expected fish size linked to elevated water temperatures.
The company now expects to harvest between 5,200 and 5,400 metric tonnes—down around 17% over a four-month period—and has revised its full-year underlying profit guidance to between NZD 6 million and NZD 12 million ($3.6 million to $7.2 million), down from previous expectations.
“The fish are still feeding, just not at the rates we expected based on historical patterns,” said chief financial officer Ben Rodgers in an interview with Radio New Zealand. “King salmon are a species that stress easily, and when they do, they can reduce their appetite.”
The company said the short-term reduction in harvest volumes would allow fish to grow to target weights and help protect future harvests beyond 2027. A recovery in volumes is expected from September 2025.
NZ King Salmon has previously flagged climate-related challenges in the Marlborough Sounds, including warmer summer sea temperatures, as a long-term operational risk.