fish mortality event, page-7

I don’t know if it’s all over but its going to be pretty difficult from here. I saw it is a big positive that they have a successfully producing hatchery for yellowtail and that they were progressing some form of Rock Lobster farming program.

It is a big negative that the sea-farm fell over as they immediately depended on the cash flow to at least cover inputs to date which would be substantial (feed, labour etc). Of more significance I’m not sure management have the biological where for all, or cash to navigate through the issues they face here to ensure a sustainable business. I wonder what the extent of their insurance coverage is?

It is a high risk and complex game Aquaculture – particularly when developing new species in new areas. All sorts of physiological and environmental factors (often unknown until they arise) come into the success equation.

You can’t really compare growing Yellowtail in Jurien Bay to farming in Arno Bay. Same fish but different environment therefore different physiological responses. Yellowtails grown in South Australia are severely compromised health wise at the lower end of the temperature scale experienced over winter. You will find that the health of these fish is also compromised in prolonged exposure to higher temperatures. That is why they are pelagic naturally following water currents finding their preferred temperature range. This temperature range is that which best supports its rapid growth in readiness for sexual maturity at greater that 5Kg of size.

You also can’t compare different species. Barramundi which are grown in system farms further North in warmer waters have a very different physiological requirement. If you think about them surviving in muddy waterholes largely devoid of oxygen you can understand why you can’t compare.

The issues are not insurmountable however as Clean Seas have demonstrated. Sensible stocking scenarios, feed formulations, parasite mitigation etc has seen the relative success of this species there, however it should be noted this only after > 10 years of development in that environment. For them however Yellowtail are really only giving them significant expertise in the practice of sea-farming and credible cash flow in preparation for their grand plan of Bluey farming – hatchery to plate. I think you will find.

I understand Yellowtail we’re given a go at Port Stephens on the east coast without success although for what reasons I don’t know. Similarities could be drawn I expect to that experience.

As always the success of an organisation lies in its leadership. I thought Stewart Graham’s involvement as MD was a positive – due to his involvement in AAQ which impresses me no end as a aquaculture concept business)He left though which was bad news for this organisation. If you look more closely now however you see that no one has marine scientific or biological background. I became more suspicious (if not concerned for the coy) with their rapid promotion and appointment of their current MD who best knew how to put together a system farm and make it stay there – I’m not sure what his business or science qualification are but there appears to be none. He was originally appointed GM – of marine operation, which was perhaps/maybe appropriate. In terms of exactly what this company required the package he receives would have bought the best aquaculture/business talent available in Australia I would suggest. Not that this would guarantee success (look how long it took TASSAL to get it together with all the resources – government and private) it had available.

Anyway – I do reckon land based aquaculture (or a combo) is the go. I have a bit of a yellowtail project on the cook. Looks good ;) I also reckon Rock Lobster aquaculture stuff is also worth watching around Australia. Life cycle closed on the Western Rock (green) easiest process and Southern Rock (red) difficult process will lead to commercial rollout. Difficult to get ya foot in the door here I’ll give ya the tip. Funny thing is though as I understand the first spawning of greens was in a bucket by accident at a time when the science was focused on spawning the reds – lol. Might not be that hard to get into after all.

All in my opinion only of course.

Cheers