General:
Production from the eel aquaculture industry in Queensland reached 32.4 tonnes and constitutes a 54% increase in production from the 21 tonnes produced in 2005–06. This increase is particularly significant as it ends a five-year trend of diminishing production.
In 2005–06 there were three operations selling eels (comprising four farms), and in order to maintain client confidentiality detailed production information was not published.
The same situation arose in 2006–07; however, this time producing farms were contacted and agreed to release the current and previous year’s production data for publication.
The primary species of eel grown by aquaculturists is the long-finned eel (Anguilla reinhardtii), with much smaller quantities of short-finned eel (A. australis) also grown.
Over the last two years all eels produced were exported and marketed live. Table 14 summarises the farm pond and tank stocking and production details for the period 2004–05 to 2006–07.
In addition to the sale of adult eels, new management arrangements introduced in 2005 allow for the sale of juvenile eels. This has resulted in the sale of a significant quantity of weaned juvenile eels. The details relating to the sale of juvenile eels can not be released due to confidentiality issues but the value is included in the sundry category of this report.
Total feed purchased was 53.5 tonnes in 2006–07 (compared with 30.5 tonnes in 2005–06). The estimated average feed conversion ratio increased slightly from 1.4:1 in 2005–06 to 1.6:1 in 2006–07.
Labour:
The industry has six permanent staff (six in 2006–07) and employed 400 hours of casual labour. This equates to six FTEs, which is one less than the previous year. The dollar output per labour unit increased significantly from $51 000 in 2005–06 to $91 500 in 2006–07. The output per labour unit would be significantly higher if the juvenile eel sales were also included.
Industry development:
Since a new management regime for eel aquaculture was formed in 2005 (whereby juvenile eel harvesting and aquaculture are managed separately), production has remained at low levels. Environmental conditions have remained unfavourable, which has stalled renewed industry investment.
However, declaration this year that the European juvenile eel industry is in a precarious position is significant, as most adult eels are exported and the domestic industry competes with this supply market. Working alongside other federal and state investor agencies, DPI&F has facilitated recent interest from established international eel producers and other investors assessing the viability of the industry.
To achieve progress the industry may need to consolidate—either collectively across juvenile eel harvesting or structurally by re-establishing a peak body and developing an industry development plan. This needs to be industry-driven for DPI&F to commit larger resources. This should make the industry more attractive internationally and support greater effort across harvesting, production and research.
Industry consultation has identified research that provides management of gender ratios in immature eels as a way to stimulate increased aquaculture production.
Information Sourced From:
