Potential for commercial aquaculture project
Friday 8 August 2008
A SARDI research project has demonstrated the potential for a new inland aquaculture industry in the Riverland based on the production of estuarine fish.
The proof of concept project based at a facility near Waikerie in South Australia’s Riverland was part of a $2.06 million project jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments.
The pioneering research, which has been underway since May 2006, has successfully concluded and the facility closed on June 30. A final report is being prepared.
The innovative research has been investigating the potential of growing salt-water species such as mulloway at inland farms using saline groundwater pumped from the River Murray to reduce salinity in the River.
Test marketing showed that mulloway farmed in the water was an excellent product based on consumer acceptance surveys, retail outlets and when featured on restaurant menus.
The Executive Director of PIRSA Aquaculture, Ian Nightingale, said that government agencies are now consulting with a number of parties including the Murray Darling Basin Commission, SA Water, local councils and the Regional Development Board on a number of issues including the allocation of this saline water for any commercial aquaculture development in the region.
He said the research project had identified the opportunities for this potential industry, providing an excellent body of knowledge to assist further industry development.
