Freshwater fish (other than barramundi) production has increased in value by nearly 50% from $1.5 million in 2005–06 to over $2.2 million in 2006–07.
The three main species—silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) jade perch, or Barcoo grunter, (Scortum barcoo) and Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) all contributed to this outstanding result.
There was only minor production of sleepy cod (Oxyeleotris lineolatis) and golden perch (Macquaria ambigua).
Silver perch production was valued at $791 600 with an average price of $8.81/kg (5% higher than 2005–06), jade perch production was valued at $453 700 with an average price of $8.86/kg (7% higher than 2005–06) and Murray cod production was valued at $937 500 with an average price of $14.40/kg (14% higher than 2005–06).
Silver perch production grew by 45% to nearly 90 tonnes, jade perch grew by over 20% to over 50 tonnes and Murray cod grew by 50% to over 65 tonnes. This provided a total of nearly 210 tonnes for the year (compared with 150 tonnes in 2005–06). This follows on from the large increase from 100 tonnes to 150 tonnes during the proceeding 12 months.
In 2006–07 silver perch accounted for 43% of freshwater fish production (40% in 2005–06), jade perch 24% (28% in 2005–06), Murray cod 31% (28% in 2005–06) and all other species 2%. Recirculating tank systems accounted for nearly 23% (49 tonnes) of the total freshwater fish production (compared with 27% or 40 tonnes in 2005–06).
Statistical returns were mailed to 165 licensed freshwater fish producers and 143 were returned. One hundred and nine respondents used pondbased systems and 34 used recirculating tank systems. Many of the authority holders have a number of different species on their approval and produce these species in ponds, tanks or a combination of both systems.
Silver perch:
Statistical returns were mailed to 130 authorised silver perch producers and 115 were returned. Thirteen authority holders produced and sold silver perch in 2006–07. Twelve of the 13 producing farms used pond-based systems, with just one tank based system producing silver perch. In 2005–06, 16 farms produced fish and only one was from a tank-based system.
The silver perch industry experienced its largest production increase ever recorded with production increasing by more than 45%. With increased returns per kilogram for the product, the total value of this sector increased by more than 50%.
Production totalled 89.9 tonnes (61.2 tonnes in 2005–06) and the total value of the industry was $791 600 ($512 000 in 2005–06). The average price (whole-fish basis) increased by 5% from $8.37/kg to $8.81/kg. Table 11 combines production from both pond and tank systems.
Pond systems:
The total ponded area on producing farms decreased from 30 hectares in 2005–06 to 24.5 hectares in 2006–07. The total area stocked with silver perch increased from 20 hectares in 2005–06 to 24 hectares in 2006–07. The number of fingerlings stocked increased from 358 200 in 2005–06 to 515 000 in 2006–07.
The average stocking rate also increased from 18 000 per hectare in 2005–06 to 21 500 per hectare in 2006–07. The area harvested increased from 17.1 hectares in 2005–06 to 21.1 hectares in 2006–07.
Recirculation systems:
In 2006–07, 29 farms using tank-based recirculation systems were authorised for silver 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. In 2005–06, 21 farms using tank-based recirculation systems were authorised for silver perch production and only one of them reported any sale of product.
Other species:
Other species authorised for production in both pond-based and tank-based systems include golden perch (Macquaria ambigua), sleepy cod (Oxyeleotris lineolatis), Australian bass (Maquaria novemaculeata) and sooty grunter (Hephaestus fuliginosus).
The relatively small quantities produced and the limited number of producers means that detailed information can not be provided in this report. The production in 2006–07 was 3.5 tonnes valued at $60 000 (compared with 6.3 tonnes valued at $93 000 in 2005–06).
Because both golden perch and sleepy cod are well regarded in the market place, the average price was relatively high at $17.50/kg.
Labour (freshwater fish):
The total number of permanent labour units in the freshwater fish growout sector decreased from 30 in 2005–06 to 22.9 in 2006–07. For silver perch the output has increased from 5.0 tonnes per unit in 2005–06 to 8.3 tonnes per unit in 2006–07. Over the same period jade perch production increased from 5.8 tonnes per labour unit to 9.5 tonnes. The output for Murray cod increased from 4.2 tonnes per labour unit to 9.3 tonnes per unit.
Combined casual labour for all freshwater species was 1800 hours (compared with 1060 hours in 2005–06). The total FTEs for the freshwater sector was 24 units in 2006–07 (compared with 31 units in 2005–06).
The dollar output per labour unit for the sector nearly doubled to $94 000 (compared with $48 000 in 2005–06). For silver perch the output increased from $41 600 in 2005–06 to $73 500 in 2006–07; jade perch increased from $48 100 to $84 000 and Murray cod increased from $52 700 to $134 200.
Industry development:
Freshwater fish production continues to demonstrate strong growth. The growth is even more significant given that it has been achieved in well-publicised drought conditions.
The sector continues to be well represented by the Aquaculture Association of Queensland (AAQ) through quarterly workshops and its annual conference. As these systems operate as closed systems, the continuation of bioremediation research at the DPI&F Walkamin Research Station to mitigate nutrient build-up is most important.
A joint meeting in November between Queensland and New South Wales departmental research managers and AAQ agreed to establish whole-ofindustry support across Queensland and New South Wales for a national industry development plan that identified key research priorities.
Information Sourced From:
