20 tonnes of kingfish to go free

The staggered release of 20 tonnes of kingfish into the wild will start next Monday after approval from Biosecurity and Ministry of Fisheries.

The fish were destined to become crayfish bait after Parengarenga Fish Farm in the Far North folded with debts of millions of dollars.

But the Recreational Fishing Council and fishing company Sanford have bought the fish and will release them.