The total value of the Queensland aquaculture industry has increased by 7% over the last 12 months, with the value of production increasing from $70.5 million in 2005–06 to $75.5 million in 2006–07.
This increase was largely due to an increase in the barramundi sector by more than 30% from $14 million to $18.5 million.
Although there has been a 7% increase in the value of aquaculture production over the last 12 months, the wild catch fishery has increased by 8%. The proportion attributed to aquaculture has remained stable at 27% over the last 12 months (Table 1).
In Queensland the total value of fisheries production, including aquaculture, in 2006–07 was $280.5 million, which was 8% higher than the previous year.
Combinations of all species of prawns (black tiger (Penaeus monodon), banana (P. merguiensis) and kuruma (P. japonicus)) are grown in Queensland. The kuruma prawn sector is currently represented by one farm where production is minimal.
Production in this sector decreased by 6% from 3300 tonnes in 2005–06 to 3085 tonnes in 2006–07. The value of this sector has decreased by 8% from $46.3 million in 2005–06 to $42.5 million in 2006–07.
The area harvested decreased from 802 hectares in 2005–06 to 776 hectares in 2006–07. The number of producing farms decreased by 16% over the last three years, with only 26 farms in production in 2006–07.
The average price of $13.79/kg was marginally lower than the average price of all species of prawns in 2005–06. Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) production increased significantly (20%) from 1745 tonnes to 2091 tonnes in 2006–07. This was on top of a 21% increase from the previous year.
The value of the industry has increased by 30%, from $14.0 million in 2005–06 to over $18.5 million in 2006–07. The average price on a whole-fish basis increased from $8.04/kg to $8.86/kg. The majority of production came from pond and cage based systems.
Over this period the number of producing pond based farms increased from 25 to 26. The number of tank-based systems decreased from 11 to 6. There was just one sea cage operation.
Redclaw crayfish:
(Cherax quadricarinatus)
decreased marginally from 105 tonnes in 2005–06 to 100 tonnes in 2006–07. Over the same period the value of redclaw sold as food increased marginally from $1.30 million in 2005–06 to $1.45 million in 2006–07.
The number of producing farms in 2006–07 was 46, which was 13 less than in 2005–06. There were 140 farms that reported no production at all for 2006–07 (compared with 128 farms in 2005–06).
Dry conditions resulted in some farms having to abandon production. Average farm productivity increased by 12% from 1495 kg/ha in 2005–06 to 1670 kg/ha in 2006–07. The average price obtained for redclaw crayfish increased by 16% from $12.43/kg in 2005–06 to $14.45/kg in 2006–07.
The freshwater fish growout sector currently produces silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus), jade perch (Scortum barcoo), golden perch (Macquaria ambigua), Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) and sleepy cod (Oxyeleotris lineolatus). Golden perch and sleepy cod production can not be reported separately for confidentiality reasons as insuffcient farms produced these species.
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. In 2006–07 silver perch accounted for 43% of freshwater fish production, jade perch 24%, Murray cod 31% and other species 2%, whereas in 2005–06 silver perch accounted for 40%, jade perch 28%, Murray cod 28% and other species 4%.
Recirculating tank systems accounted for 23% (49 tonnes) of the total freshwater fish production. Murray cod production increased by 50% from 2005–06. Production now exceeds 65 tonnes and is valued at $937 000; Murray cod production represents the most valuable species sector within the freshwater fish group, with silver perch production valued at $790 000 and jade perch production at $454 000.
In 2006–07 there were 4 Murray cod producers, 8 jade perch producers and 13 silver perch producers. The average prices for silver and jade perch were $8.81/kg and $8.86/kg respectively, while Murray cod averaged just over $14.40/kg. Production from the eel sector (Anguilla spp.) has stabilised over last two years even though there were only four producers operating during this time.
Production increased from 21 tonnes in 2005–06 to just over 32 tonnes in 2006–07. During this period, the average price remained almost the same at $16.80/kg.
The hatchery sector, producing native fish fingerlings and ornamental aquarium species, had a 14% decrease in the number of sales. However, the value of the sector increased by nearly 4%, rising from $3.38 million in 2005–06 to $3.51 million in 2006–07.
The reported oyster production all occurs on leases south of Hervey Bay and is confined to the culture of rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) on ‘furniture’ placed on tidal land, predominantly above mean low water.
Total edible oyster production decreased by 24% from 161 000 dozen in 2005–06 to 141 000 dozen in 2006–07; the value of the industry decreased marginally from $574 000 in 2005–06 to $534 000 in 2006–07.
The average price per dozen oysters increased by 6% from $3.56 per dozen to $3.79 per dozen. This production came from 36 oyster areas in 2006–07 (compared with 30 oyster areas in 2005–06).
The value of the pearl oyster industry in Queensland continues to fluctuate as some of the farms rebuild stocks of nucleated pearls. Four farms reported information this year with production for 2006–07 estimated at $1.7 million. Comparisons with previous years can not be made as insufficient farms supplied information in those years and details can not be disclosed for confidentiality reasons.
The total permanent labour force in the aquaculture industry increased from 444 units in 2005–06 to 471 units in 2006–07. The marine prawn sector accounted for 226 units or 48% of the total permanent labour force.
When numbers for permanent and casual labour are combined, employment in the Queensland aquaculture industry increased by 16% from 584 full-time equivalents (FTEs) in 2005–06 to 674 FTEs in 2006 –07.
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