Australia is well positioned to expand exports of quality seafood because of our clean aquatic environments that support farming a variety of different species.
The aquaculture industry is a major and growing sector of Australia¡¯s fisheries sector with production estimates for 2003-04 close to A$732 million ¨C 34 per cent of the total gross value of the seafood industry. (Source: ABARE, Australian Fisheries 2004).
Pearls and Southern Bluefin tuna dominate Australian aquaculture exports, representing about 54 per cent of the value of aquaculture production, and the majority of exports. Other key aquaculture exports include Atlantic salmon, edible oysters, farmed prawns and trout, abalone (Greenlip and Blacklip), eel, scallop, giant crab, crocodile, aquarium fish and native fish.
Fish
In 2003-04, farmed fish production increased by 1206 tonnes to a total of 28,301 tonnes, worth close to A$394 million. Southern Bluefin tuna accounted for A$242 million and salmon A$116 million. Other species included barramundi, trout and silver perch.
Crustaceans
Farmed prawn production continues to grow - 3563 tonnes produced in 2003-04 with a farm-gate value of A$56 million. Australia also produces freshwater crayfish or yabbies (75 tonnes), red claw (75 tonnes) and marron (67 tonnes).
Molluscs
In 2003-04, cultivated pearl oyster production was valued at well over A$150 million. Production of edible oysters (Sydney rock oysters and Pacific) was 7625 tonnes with a farm-gate value of A$72 million. Farmed mussel production was 2608 tonnes, valued at A$7 million. (Source: ABARE, Australian Fisheries Statistics 2004). |
