Aquaculture

Aquaculture industry statistics from 2004

Summary

There are 6 producers in the north east region. Predominantly, salmonid species (trout) are being grown in stream fed outside production. One producer is growing Murray Cod, and another is producing Australian Blackworms in shedded production for both the aquaculture and aquarium trade.

The industry is characterised by high levels of value adding at the individual farm level with operations commonly incorporating both production and tourism.

Key areas for production of Salmonid species in Victoria are in the shires neighbouring the southern boundaries of the AlpValleys region – Mansfield, Mitchell and Murrindindi. Estimations of the current gross value of production of salmonids in Victoria is $10.66 m.

Production has decreased in the AlpValleys region over the past few years due to increased licensing and water fees, smaller operators exiting the industry and one farm burnt out during the 2002 bushfires.

Aquaculture industry overview

Location of the aquaculture industry within North East Victoria

The are two trout farms are in the Alpine Shire, one at Edi Upper in the Rural City of Wangaratta, and one in Towong Shire. Two aquaculture producers are in the Indigo Shire producing Murray Cod at Brimin (near Rutherglen) and Australian Blackworms at Beechworth.

Projected aquaculture industry growth

The industry in the region features a high level of value adding on both intensive commercial small-scale farms and smaller integrated tourist ventures. Assuming that the worst of the recent drought conditions pass, the projected growth rate is 5%.

Environmental improvements and sustainable industry expansion, will continue through the use of high quality extruded feed diets, computer managed feeding, and investment in waste reduction technologies

Trout farms need high volumes of good quality cold water. Small areas of land are required, approx 10 hectares, with access to cool pristine quality flow-through water. A constant flow of water is maintained through the races, and recirculating water does not usually clean the water enough, and pumping tends to be too expensive . After passing through the trout farm the water is discharged as effluent back into the same waterway.

Aquaculture industry labour requirements

Usually, trout and salmon aquaculture enterprises employ 1 owner/manager and 1 other person with some seasonal/holiday casual labour hours.

Aquaculture industry marketing activities

The wholesale and retail network for farmed trout involves the sale of the product by the farmer to a wholesaler, the fish market or to frozen food distributors, or directly to the local hospitality industry.

Small trout farmer enterprises can obtain better prices by developing local niche markets with restaurants or supermarkets, currently quoted at $7.50 per kg. On-farm sales to tourists, incorporating catch and eat, can increase prices to between $8.50 and $9.00 per kg.

Value adding is done through smoking, or pâté production.

Aquaculture industry s trategic advantages and opportunities

• The North East has a reputation for clean and healthy aquatic environments with good running water supply. This image fits well with a perception of high quality fish from a “clean” environment
• Most farms are integrated, doing their own breeding, growing, processing and smoking of fish. Value adding is high.
• Opportunities for expansion include supplying disease-free stock to supply future farms expanding the range of value-added products and new national and export markets.
• Opportunities for use of recycled water will need to be explored.

Aquaculture industry s trategic disadvantages and impediments to growth

• Small farmers may have to co-operate with processing and transport to make trout farming a viable option.
• Restrictions on water diversion and the environmental constraints on discharge may impact on further increases in production.
• Difficulty accessing greater volumes of water to increase production.
• The regions trout industry is competing with other significant trout and salmon production and processing facilities in adjoining shires. Strong domestic competition has streamlined production efficiency.
• The major impediment to further development is the limited water resource, and stringent conditions on water condition. Aquaculture operators are now required to have a consumptive use licence, not a diversion licence as previously required.