More than 1000 submissions have been received on New Zealand King Salmon's expansion plans in the Marlborough Sounds.
The public submission period to the Environmental Protection Authority on the aquaculture company's proposal to add 9 farms to its existing 5 ended on Wednesday.
King Salmon wants to increase its water space by 11 hectares to 17 hectares in the 150,000 hectare Marlborough Sounds.
Opposition concerns are mainly with the environmental impact of the development because of increased water space being used and water contamination from feeding more fish.
King Salmon's chief executive Grant Rosewarne says these arguments carry little weight, as the area to be farmed would be the size of only two lifestyle blocks.
He says if granted consent, the company could almost triple its annual turnover to $400 million and create more jobs.
An independent board of inquiry is expected to make a decision by December.
