Salmon escapees not free for long

Anglers in the Mackenzie district were out in force after “a few hundred” salmon escaped from a commercial farm.

They flooded into the Ohau Canal, just south of Twizel, last weekend.

Mt Cook Alpine Salmon aquaculture general manager Jaco Swart said the salmon escaped and became free game for local anglers.

“One of our salmon farm nets developed a small tear during the winching process that lifted the net for the salmon to be harvested last week.

“A few hundred salmon escaped into the Ohau B/C canal.

“It’s unusual and unfortunate for us but a boost for those fishing.”

Escapes were uncommon as the salmon farm used underwater camera drones to check the nets weekly.

Mr Swart said the net had now been fixed and the company had added more checks to the winching procedure.