 |
Ref:515/03 |
|
|
 |
AUSTRALIA
- Jan 23, 2003 |
|
|
|
Kingfish public meeting
called |
|
|
|
Hamachi Ocean
Culture Pty Ltd called a public meeting in Ceduna last
Thursday as a means of exchanging ideas and information with
the public on the proposed yellowtail kingfish farms.
The meeting attracted over 100 people and was chaired by
Ceduna Mayor Peter Duffy, with the community having the
opportunity to direct their questions to a professional
panel.
Hamachi representative Scott Kempe said the company called
the public meeting as a courtesy to the community of Ceduna
in an effort to convey to interested parties the reality,
scientific, historic, statistical and established facts,
dates and information on the kingfish aquaculture industry.
Hamachi brought together marine biologists, Senior PIRSA
Aquaculture personnel and a partner from SAAM, the original
and most substantial operation of working kingfish farms in
Australia, in an effort to project a balanced assessment of
the project, devoid of emotion, fear, ignorance and
misinformation.
"An effort that, while I think successful, without the
influx of the 'rent a crowd' element may have been even more
beneficial in its transfer of information to the community
as a whole," Mr Kempe said.
"When considering the aquaculture industry as a whole, not
only our project, it is important that information garnered
is used in the correct context using both past history and
vision for the future as your guide," he said.
Hamachi believe there are various important aspects that
need consideration from the community.
Firstly, that the fishing industry is one of the few food
industries in the world which still allows their natural
resource to be harvested.
"History shows what can and has happened when this practice
is allowed to continue, agriculture, horticulture,
viticulture etc. all rely on the farming processes that
protect the natural resource base," he said.
"We are now seeing that the fishing industry is continuing
to rely more heavily on this proven protective method of
food production.
"Aquaculture industries have all suffered from fear of the
unknown, remember tuna farms, oyster leases etc, this was to
be the end of the oceans bounties as we knew them.
"Once again in issues such as health, containment,
processing etc. we should refer to other food industries as
a guide, we drench sheep, treat bovine diseases and
intensively farm and manage pigs, graft vines and develop
orchards.
"Management plans continue to evolve under controlled and
researched conditions, aquaculture is no different and in
fact is benefiting from the experiences of other industries,
this is the way forward.
"It is clear that Ceduna needs industry and in particular
aquaculture to cement its future, Hamachi is part of that
aquaculture which has accounted for over 65 % of the new
start up businesses in the region since 1998."
Mr Kempe believes the spin offs for the community will be
vast, including employment, social environments such as
health, education, council services and utilities, tourism
and sporting clubs to name a few.
"The local environment will benefit, with each new dollar
circulating within the Ceduna community up to seven times
before dissipating to the wider economic environment," Mr
Kempe said.
"Ceduna is on the cusp of progress through ventures such as
the marina complex, aquaculture parks etc. and will benefit
from the springboard of this venture, a range of potential
investors are waiting for this push."
The substantial investment of Hamachi would be a significant
step towards achieving these aims.
"Bio-diversity, sustainability and co-habitation is the way
forward for Fisheries, both existing and future planned
aquaculture developments along with the other licensed
fisherman," Mr Kempe said.
"South Australia currently has restrictive license
requirements and the most thorough management plans within
Australia and possibly the world, as such we can go forward
with confidence." |
|
|
|
