Tory Channel closed after salmon farm breaks loose

The Tory Channel was closed down to all shipping this morning as Port Marlborough staff tried to stop a salmon farm which has drifted into the channel.

Port of Marlborough harbourmaster Captain Alex van Wijngaarden said he had been alerted at about 8.20am that the salmon farm was drifting free towards the channel.

At 9.22am he made the decision to close the channel due to the risk it posed to vessels.

"We have had great co-operation from operators and I think they realise the potential risk involved," he said.

The exact size of the farm was not known but was thought to be roughly the size of a football field, he said.

However, it was not just the size but also the number and size of nets attached to it which had caused concern for the port, he said.

"There are attached lines and nets and there is also product involved which you have to be careful not to damage."

Four tugs were alongside the farm trying to bring it under control, he said.

Picton's port remained open and about four ferries had been affected so far by the detour in place, which had added about another hour onto the length of the crossing, he said.

"It is an inconvenience for all operators but they have all been great to deal with."

Closing the channel was unusual, he said.

The channel was last closed last year, due to bad weather, he said.

NZ King Salmon chief executive Paul Steere said tides and a high current had caused the moorings to snap, despite the farm having been assessed to ensure such a situation would not occur.

"That's nature for you," Mr Steere said.

The farm -- one of four the company had in the Marlborough Sounds -- was now under control but the next step would be returning the farm and securing it, he said.

"It will cost a few bob to get it back from the channel and there will be some fish losses as well."

The 16 or 17 crew on board the farm were all safe, he said.

The company apologised for any inconvenience it had caused but closing the channel was necessary due to the safety problems the nets dragging underneath the farm could have posed for passing vessels, he said.

Mr van Wijngaarden said the Tory Channel was reopened at 12.40pm and the farm was "under control".

Everything had gone smoothly with the operation and staff were now waiting for the tide to change before attempting to return the farm to its original location, he said.

The farm was unlikely to be secured with moorings again until the security of the existing moorings could be established, he said.

- NZPA