Seafood in high demand
ABC North Queensland Townsville. Rural Report. 08 Sep 2009 06:26AM
Fernbach says that sea food producers are looking for ways to meet increased demand. She says that the number of wild catch fishing vessels are in decline, and that aquaculture may need to shoulder the increased demand of aquaculture. According to the Australia Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics that value of the Australian aquaculture industry grew by more than $62m in just one year. It is estimated that this will eclipse wild caught seafood within three years. Fernbach says that aquaculturalists are growing bigger, faster growing animals to meet demand. Trevor Anderson, General Manager, Seafarm, has been using selective breeding at Seafarm to increase the size and growth of prawns, which is Australia’s largest prawn farming operation. Anderson says that this reduces costs, mentioning reducing food conversion ratios, and details the selective breeding process. Anderson says that the process currently used is specific for growth, but they would now like to select for prawn colour and head size. He says this process is similar to what is used in chicken and cattle industries.
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