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Ref:752/03 |
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new zealand
- May 24, 2003 |
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NIWA cracks kingfish
hatchery production – pilot-scale success at Bream Bay |
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Commercially focused research and development,
funded by industry and the Foundation for
Research, Science & Technology (FRST), with
state-of-the-art aquaculture facilities at NIWA’s
Bream Bay Aquaculture Park, have combined to
achieve the first pilot-scale commercial
production of yellowtail kingfish in New Zealand. |
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During the 2002–03
kingfish spawning season, NIWA has produced more
than 30 000 kingfish fingerlings. This greatly
exceeded our production target, and the success
has pushed forward the commercialisation of this
exciting new species for New Zealand aquaculture.
The quality and
survival of the fingerlings has also surpassed
expectation, particularly because it has included
a reliable reduction, to less than 10%, in the
level of jaw abnormalities. Success was achieved
through a combination of small- and large-scale
experimental trials, based on a good understanding
of kingfish physiology. |
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This is the first time
the team at Bream Bay has attempted pilot-scale
production of kingfish, and we are now confident
that we can produce commercial quantities of
kingfish juveniles for farming.
Central to achieving
this success has been moving the kingfish research
efforts to Bream Bay Aquaculture Park, where
scientists work in partnership with industry to
provide the support and expertise required to
commercialise new aquaculture species.
Consequently, the R&D conducted on site is
scientifically rigorous, yet commercially
relevant, and is highly focused towards rapidly
developing commercial culture technology.
Future kingfish R&D
is planned to capitalise on the efficiency gains
made this year in larval-rearing and nursery
technologies. Further developments will include
the use of probiotics, optimisation of feeding
strategies, and manipulation of environmental
variables to achieve optimum growth and survival.
At the same time, NIWA will be conducting research
on broodstock management, monogenean parasite
control, and live transport of fingerlings.
Contact: Brendan Gara
[ b.gara@niwa.co.nz ] |
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