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Ref:710/03 |
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australia
- May 6, 2003 |
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Aquaculture opportunities for irrigators |
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OPPORTUNITIES for the
integration of aquaculture with established
irrigation industries will be on show at the
National Australian Cotton Trade Show in Moree.
"AQUACULTURE Opportunities for Irrigators" will be
presented by NSW Fisheries at the trade show on
May 28 and 29 (Site 9). |
RAPID growth ...
harvesting silver perch
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Ian Lyall of NSW Fisheries will be on hand to
explain how aquaculture can add value to existing
cotton irrigation operations. Ian will also be
running a seminar each day.
Cotton farmers can use irrigation water to produce
fish in ponds, cages or indoor tanks before
discharging the water on to cotton fields. The
elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorous in
fish effluent water may be of benefit.
Large water storages can also be used to farm a
number of high-value native species using existing
water resources.
Aquaculture is the farming of fish, crustaceans
and molluscs in marine or freshwater environments.
It is the fastest growing food producing industry
in the world. Currently 35% of all seafood is
farmed.
This is expected to increase because production
from wild fisheries is decreasing. Aquaculture is
already a significant contributor to seafood
supplies in NSW, accounting for 33% of the value
of the state's total annual fisheries production.
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SYNERGIES...aquaculture can operate using existing
infrastructure on irrigated farms |
Farmed seafoods have many advantages for producers
and consumers. They are uniform, high quality
products, and many command premium prices. Farmed
fish taste great and are healthy to eat because of
high levels of omega oils.
They are versatile to cook, and can be supplied
fresh to markets, straight from the farm.
There is now a good range of species available and
many are keenly sought-after in domestic and
export markets. Freshwater species currently being
farmed are silver perch, Murray cod, golden perch
and yabbies.
More information:
http://www.cottontradeshow.com.au
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