Freshwater Crayfish

Freshwater crayfish culture in South Australia has developed from a secondary income source for broad acre sheep and crop farmers to many viable stand-alone ventures. Two species of freshwater crayfish are cultured in South Australia:

The yabby is native to southeastern Australia and is present in waters throughout the state. Yabby farming commenced in South Australia in the early 1980’s and there are now close to 200 registered growers, however there are still only a modest number of farmers producing on a commercial scale.

The marron is native to the southwestern region of Western Australia. Marron was introduced to Kangaroo Island during the 1960’s and now inhabits a number of waterways throughout the island. Marron farming commenced in South Australia in the early 1990’s and there are now close to 200 registered growers, however like yabbies, there are still only a modest number of farmers producing on a commercial scale.

Freshwater crayfish have many biological, economic and marketing attributes that make them a good candidate species for aquaculture. Some of these include high reproduction rates; inexpensive feed source and the existing export markets. Growing and packing facilities are also relatively inexpensive to construct, with a low capital cost in relation to the high value returns. These attributes make freshwater crayfish farming readily accessible to the majority of primary producers.

Production

Yabby farming is practised in a number of regions throughout the state, including the South-East, Eyre Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and the Mid-North. Production has varied from 10tonne to 27 tonne annually over the past 5-6 years, peaking in 1998/99. Overall production is subject to effort from farmers who partake in yabby culture as a secondary activity and income.

Marron farming is practised throughout the state with approximately 95% of production generated from Kangaroo Island. Other areas where marron is being farmed include the Eyre Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula and the South-East. Production has grown steadily in South Australia over the past 5-6 years, peeking in 1999/00. Some intensive farms are now producing consistent tonnages, which will result in more predictable production figures in future years.

Economic Impact

At present, the majority of economic benefit of freshwater crayfish culture to South Australia is seen as direct income to existing crop and grazing farmers.

For more detailed information on the impact of freshwater crayfish aquaculture to the South Australian economy, download the Economic Impact report 2002/03 (.PDF 242KB).

Markets

Yabbies are marketed anywhere between 40g and 100g. They are sold live to various markets both domestic and interstate (mainly Sydney and Melbourne). At this stage production is not sufficient to meet the demand from the international export market. However, the overseas potential for yabbies is substantial and once production increases, exporting market may attract attention from individual growers and marketing cooperatives.

Marron are marketed anywhere between 200g and 250g. They are also sold live to various markets both domestic and interstate (mainly Sydney and Melbourne) and have potential in export markets.

Freshwater crayfish have excellent marketing attributes due to their presentation on the table and good meat yield. The majority of crayfish are served whole, however, opportunities exist to value add the product.

For more information on market opportunities for freshwater crayfish, download the following report: South Australian Aquaculture Market Analysis 2002 (.PDF 3.5MB).

Industry Development

The South Australian branch of the Australian Freshwater Crayfish Growers Association (SA) has developed an industry development plan that reflects the association’s view of the industry and it’s potential. The vision of the plan is to “build a sustainable and profitable industry, maximising returns to growers, while providing a high quality, well priced product through reliable production and marketing, adding to the Australian cuisine and the well being of rural Australia”.

The association has a Code of Practice for the Growing of Freshwater Crayfish in South Australia, which has been prepared to allow for the orderly development of an economically viable, sustainable and environmentally responsible industry. Also, a Code of Practice for the Post Harvest Handling of Live Freshwater Crayfish has been developed to assist growers in adhering to the latest food safety requirements.

For technical information on freshwater crayfish covering attributes for culture; hatchery production/seed supply; hatching and larval, juvenile rearing; growout; nutrition and feeding; water quality and environmental factors; economics of production and the latest research and development, contact Rural Solutions SA using the following email address: jeffrey.mathew@saugov.sa.gov.au.

The Future

With larger commercial operators entering both the yabby and marron industries the culture of freshwater crayfish in South Australia has a promising future. Combining this with improved management practices, due to further research and development and the result should lead to increased production and further economic benefits to the State.

Contact Details

For further information on the freshwater crayfish industry in South Australia, please contact:

Australian Freshwater Crayfish Growers Association (SA) Inc.
Keith Keen
PO Box 683
Bordertown SA 5268
Phone/Fax: 08 8758 4000
Email: keencon@bigpond.com