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Australia
- Friday, February 22, 2002 |
Source: Stock Journal |
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Aquaculture demand ignites SA ingenuity |
Increasing demand from Asia and growth in exports is driving the
expansion of SA's aquaculture industry.
Figures released late last year reveal the aquaculture industry is
worth about $320m to the SA economy annually.
These results, released by the SA Government in December, show the
industry grew by an annual average of 69pc in the past decade. In
1990, the industry was worth $2.5m and by 2001 the farmgate value of
aquaculture was around $250m.
The massive export demand dwarfed the already substantial interstate
exports of $34.4m.
SA business Aquaculture Systems of Woodville has realised the need
for infrastructure to meet growing indusry demand. It is marketing a
modular fish tank for general aquaculture use, Aquaculture Systems
principal Greg Hutton says the tank has a recirculating system which
is completely self contained and provides sediment removal,
biofiltration, aeration, foam fractionation and downflow bubble
contacting.
Rinsing the multi-function filter unit takes about two minutes a
day, and apart from occasional siphoning of waste, it requires no
other cleaning duties.
The filter unit stands about 1m high and is usually fitted to a tank
which is 4m by 1m. This forms a separate, isolated unit that can be
used on its own or replicated to make a large modular farm.
Replicating tanks in this way makes stock maintenance and disease
prevention easier, Mr Hutton said.
Up to 600 medium sized fish or crustaceans can be held in a single
tank of this kind with little water application.
Mr Hutton said that because of the ideal environment created by the
system, grow out periods were faster.
And product quality was improved because the conditions created by
the system mean the fish were less stressed during harvesting.
Aquaculture Systems manufactures intensive fish farms in a modular
set-up. One module consists of six isolated recirculating systems
housed in one area.
Five stocking tanks are positioned around a central working area
which allows ease of access to all filter units from a single point.
A sixth smaller tank - which is 2m in diameter with a standard
filter unit - is used as a holding tank to prepare stock for
marketing.
Fish are introduced to the first of these six tanks as fingerlings
and are moved from tank to tank as they grow, until they end up in
the final tank for marketing.
The final tank can be modified to help meet market requirements or
for certain species of fish.
Barramundi, for example, could be finished in this final tank with
saltwater as it improves the flavour and appearance of that species,
Mr Hutton said.
Saltwater could also be used to treat sick or diseased fish, he
said.
"A farmer may choose to start with one module, them expand as
confidence or funds allow," Mr Hutton said.
"Keeping groups of tanks isolated in this way further reduces the
risk of disease as only a portion of stock on the farm may be
affected.
"These modular farms are perfect for existing farmers who want an
alternative source of income. A single module can be established
near the house and operated in conjunction with other farm duties."
Details: 0413 556615 or email
aquasyssa@picknowl.com.au
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