Jade perch:
Statistical returns were mailed to 72 licensed jade perch producers and 66 were returned. Jade perch production in 2006–07 totalled 51.2 tonnes, which was a 22% increase from the 41.9 tonnes produced in 2005–06. In 2006–07
production came from seven pond-based systems and one tank-based operation. Table 12 combines production from both pond and tank systems.
From the responses received the number of authority holders that produced and sold jade perch has remained stable over the last two years. The total value of sales increased by more than 30% to $453 700, while the average price increased by 7% from $8.25/kg in 2005–06 to $8.86/kg in 2006–07.
Pond systems:
The total ponded area on farms increased from 7.1 hectares in 2005–06 to 9.1 hectares in 2006–07. Over the same period the total area stocked to jade perch increased from 6.3 hectares to 7.6 hectares and the average yield improved by 33% from 6.5 t/ha to 8.7 t/ha. In 2006–07 the number of fingerlings stocked in ponds was 143 700 (compared with 204 300 in 2005–06).
Over the same period the average stocking rate decreased from 35 550 per hectare to 19 000 per hectare. Total food used increased from 88 tonnes in 2005–06 to 101 tonnes in 2006–07 while the FCR remained the same as the previous year at an estimated 2.1:1.
Recirculation systems:
In 2006–07, 27 farms using tank-based recirculation systems were authorised for jade perch production. Only one of these operations reported any production in 2006–07 and therefore (for confidentiality reasons) the production details can not be released.
Murray cod:
The 2006–07 year is the second year that Murray cod production could be reported in detail. This was due to significant increases in both the quantity of Murray cod being produced and the number of aquaculturists that are now producing this species.
Statistical returns were mailed to 41 authorised Murray cod producers in 2006–07 and 38 were returned. Murray cod production in 2006–07 totalled 65.1 tonnes, which represents an increase of more than 50% from 2005–06. In 2006–07, four farms produced Murray cod (compared with five farms in 2005–06).
Murray cod production details:
Because all Murray cod production came from only four farms, all published information must combine production from both pond-based and tank-based systems so as not to breach client confidentiality. There were a total of 370 000 Murray cod fingerlings stocked in 2006–07 (compared with 214 300 in 2005–06). The total food used increased from 72.5 tonnes in 2005–06 to 81 tonnes in 2006–07. The FCR improved from 1.7:1 to 1.2:1.
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