Wellington, Oct 30 NZPA - The Commerce Commission has cleared a bid by much of the South Island salmon industry, trading as Salmon Smolt New Zealand Ltd, to buy a state science company's Silverstream hatchery.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (Niwa) is selling the research site on the Kaiapoi River, north of Christchurch, to a joint venture.

The buyer is made up of Mount Cook Salmon Ltd, Akaroa Salmon NZ Ltd, Island Aquafarms Ltd, High Country Salmon Ltd, Benmore Salmon 2001 Ltd, and Sanford Ltd.

Silverstream hatchery sells fertilised salmon eggs and salmon smolt on a commercial basis to salmon farmers and recreational groups and Commission chairwoman Paula Rebstock said its sale would not lessen competition.

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