Some of the reasons are:
- It is a valuable fish
stock which is at present earning up to NZD 17 per
kilogram on the European market
- These fish grow rapidly
reaching a marketable size in 12-15 months
- Their excellent flesh
quality makes them a good fish for dishes like sashimi.
- Preliminary economic
models show that kingfish aquaculture can be lucrative.
There are even better prospects as culture techniques
improve.
At present the commercial
catches in New Zealand are small, seasonal and unpredictable
and so aquaculture is the only way to guarantee both a
regular supply and year round availability.
So far the NIWA scientists
have established a breeding population of kingfish that
spawn spontaneously from October to January. These have been
ongrown to 3 kg in 12-15 months.
There has been considerable
study of their reproductive cycles and early growth
patterns. Much of the research, which is very detailed, is
aimed at improving nutrition and feeding of broodstock and
larvae.
They are also researching
parasite control. Periodic outbreaks of skin and gill
monogenean parasites could pose a significant threat to
kingfish aquaculture. NIWA is developing more effective
parasite control methods for seacage culture. |
