Akaroa King Salmon has received a Global Technical Recognition award from the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for its leadership in sustainable
aquatic food systems. The award was presented at FAO’s Global Technical Recognition
Ceremony in Rome, part of the organisation’s 80th anniversary and World Food Day events
under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” The celebration drew
world leaders including Pope Leo XIV, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and many
others.
The FAO initiative honours technical excellence, collaboration and best practice across
transformational food production. To mark its 80th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of
the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, FAO recognised 46 organisations worldwide
for their role in advancing sustainable aquatic food systems. These collective efforts are
driving FAO’s Blue Transformation – to accelerate the shift to more resilient, productive and
sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
Akaroa King Salmon was recognised for pioneering circular and regenerative feed strategies,
proving that boutique-scale aquaculture can deliver innovation with global significance.
FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol said during the ceremony: “We have seen how
technical excellence paired with commitment can deliver real results. We have seen what is
possible when people work together across disciplines and sectors.”
As the world’s smallest ocean salmon farm, Akaroa shows that size is no barrier to
innovation or influence. Like the small-scale fisheries that provide around 40% of global
seafood, Akaroa demonstrates that smaller operators can contribute solutions with global
reach.
Working with feed innovator BioMar, Akaroa was the first King Salmon producer to adopt
Blue Impact feed – replacing wild-caught fish oil with fermented algal oil and incorporating
New Zealand hoki trimmings that would otherwise have gone to waste. This reduces reliance
on wild harvests, lowers emissions, and improves fish nutrition. A recent life cycle
assessment by ThinkStep ANZ confirmed that New Zealand King Salmon has one of the
lowest carbon footprints of any animal protein. This December will mark 40 years since
Akaroa King Salmon first began its production as just a single pen.
“This FAO recognition shows that even the smallest farmers can have a global impact,” said
Nik Mavromatis, Marketing Manager, Akaroa King Salmon. “We tuned in online at
4:30am NZ time to watch the ceremony and it was humbling to be recognised alongside
much larger organisations like the Marine Stewardship Council. It proves innovation doesn’t
only come from the biggest players — smaller producers like ourselves, working with
partners such as BioMar, can set new benchmarks that move the whole industry forward.”
