Marketing:
The majority of the world’s farmed barramundi is produced in south east Asia, however, the product is generally considered to be inferior to that produced in Australia. Australia’s annual barramundi production is currently between 500 and 600 tonnes.
Barramundi caught in the wild generally measure around 600 mm, but barramundi farmers are promoting smaller, plate size fish.
Various domestic markets require different sizes, with the Adelaide and Melbourne markets taking 330 to 360 gram fish. Fish are sold either live, gilled and gutted, whole or smoked.
More than half the production from South Australia is transported live to markets in Sydney and Melbourne where it is popular with the Asian community. In South Australia, barramundi farms are currently producing around 250 tonnes of fish annually.
The Sydney market takes fish in the 380 to 420 gram range, while some of the large fish (above 550 grams) are sold in Sydney, the majority go to the Melbourne markets.
About 20% of SA fish are sold fresh (not frozen) and chilled to local buyers in Adelaide. Between 500 and 625 kg of barramundi worth $5 - 15/kg farmgate depending on the quality of the fish.
Domestic and export opportunities, particularly for live product, is expected to develop further, with considerable opportunity for enterprising farmers to develop and exploit new markets. The supply of farmed barramundi from northern Australia is seasonal, with harvesting occurring from December through to June.
This factor may provide a window of opportunity for South Australian farmers who can demand higher prices for fish sold outside of this period. The relatively close proximity of South Australian growers to the high demand for live fish in Sydney and Melbourne has also provided a competitive edge over northern producers.
However it must be noted that with the increasing number of farms that are operating throughout Australia, increases in production of barramundi has the potential to saturate the markets. The Australian Barramundi Farmers Association are aware of this potential marketing problem and are currently identifying strategies that will address the future of marketing barramundi.
Regulations:
A number of government agencies have regulations which relate directly to land based aquaculture operations in South Australia.
Primary Industries and Resources SA (Aquaculture SA) has responsibility for all fish in waterways of the state and the administration of all regulations relating to preventing the escape of animals and the associated risk of introducing diseases into natural populations.
The transfer of live animals from one waterway to another without a permit is forbidden. Fish farmers must ensure that animals cannot escape from their farm into natural waterways.
Animals exotic to South Australia, like barramundi, can only be farmed after receiving a permit from the Director of Fisheries. Live fish can only be brought into South Australia if they have been certified free of disease.
It is illegal to sell fish in South Australia unless you are a professional fisherman or a registered fish farmer. The Department of Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs has responsibility for the quality of water in natural water bodies within the state. This department also controls access to and use of underground waters. In many regions access to this resource is limited.
Some local councils have placed limits on aquaculture developments within their district. This is certainly the situation in the Mt Lofty Ranges council areas. Development approval from local council is required for construction of buildings, undertaking activities such as processing and for charge of land use.
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