Derek Bullock
12-12-2004, 01:48 PM
Media Release
09/12/04
A major aquaculture farm in north Queensland with the capacity to produce a tonne of plate-sized barramundi each week has eliminated wastewater discharge by using the nutrients produced by fish to grow lettuce, tomatoes, capsicums, and chillies.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Henry Palaszczuk, who officially opened the Barramundi Blue aquaculture facility at Bemerside near Ingham today, said it boasted one of Australia's largest recirculation-based barramundi-producing facilities.
"This is an exciting new development in sustainable aquaculture for north Queensland," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"It is estimated that the facility will produce up to a tonne of plate-sized barramundi per week, and importantly, produce them with no hazardous discharge."
"Barramundi Blue is leading the way using simple but effective
techniques, local industry products, local labour and on-site
manufacturing."
Mr Palaszczuk said he was pleased Barramundi Blue was supported under the State Government's First Start Farm program through QRAA to build a hatchery, training facility, high level water storage, purchase additional grow out tanks and extend the hydroponics vegetable production facility of their barramundi business.
In addition, Barramundi Blue accessed $52,000 in assistance through the Environment Protection Agency's ecoBiz program to help the business achieve its position as one of the largest environmentally sustainable recirculating aquaculture systems in the State.
"Barramundi Blue has eliminated wastewater discharge from the site through an aquaponics system where lettuce, tomatoes, capsicums, and chillies strip the nitrogen and other nutrients from the water," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"This provides another income source and water that is clean enough for reuse in the fish tanks."
"Waste vegetable matter is now fed to the worm farm on site, with surplus worms soon to be fed to the barramundi under a trial program. Energy use has also been reduced and stormwater is captured for later reuse."
"With the potential to improve productivity and minimise environmental impacts, intensive recirculating aquaculture approaches such as this, are in line with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries long-term vision for aquaculture."
Barramundi Blue is owned by Geoff Orpin and Cynthia Taylor. Ms Taylor was awarded the TAFE 2004 Outstanding Trainee in Aquaculture.
Mr Palaszczuk said the barramundi aquaculture industry in Queensland had enjoyed impressive growth over the last few years.
"Total production increased by 42% from 2001/02 to more than 1000 tonnes in 2002/03. The total value of barramundi increased by nearly 34% to approximately
$9 million," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"With the Department's new focus on profitable primary industries, DPI&F has been working closely with the Queensland aquaculture industries federation and the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association."
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 3004 or 0418 197 350
09/12/04
A major aquaculture farm in north Queensland with the capacity to produce a tonne of plate-sized barramundi each week has eliminated wastewater discharge by using the nutrients produced by fish to grow lettuce, tomatoes, capsicums, and chillies.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Henry Palaszczuk, who officially opened the Barramundi Blue aquaculture facility at Bemerside near Ingham today, said it boasted one of Australia's largest recirculation-based barramundi-producing facilities.
"This is an exciting new development in sustainable aquaculture for north Queensland," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"It is estimated that the facility will produce up to a tonne of plate-sized barramundi per week, and importantly, produce them with no hazardous discharge."
"Barramundi Blue is leading the way using simple but effective
techniques, local industry products, local labour and on-site
manufacturing."
Mr Palaszczuk said he was pleased Barramundi Blue was supported under the State Government's First Start Farm program through QRAA to build a hatchery, training facility, high level water storage, purchase additional grow out tanks and extend the hydroponics vegetable production facility of their barramundi business.
In addition, Barramundi Blue accessed $52,000 in assistance through the Environment Protection Agency's ecoBiz program to help the business achieve its position as one of the largest environmentally sustainable recirculating aquaculture systems in the State.
"Barramundi Blue has eliminated wastewater discharge from the site through an aquaponics system where lettuce, tomatoes, capsicums, and chillies strip the nitrogen and other nutrients from the water," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"This provides another income source and water that is clean enough for reuse in the fish tanks."
"Waste vegetable matter is now fed to the worm farm on site, with surplus worms soon to be fed to the barramundi under a trial program. Energy use has also been reduced and stormwater is captured for later reuse."
"With the potential to improve productivity and minimise environmental impacts, intensive recirculating aquaculture approaches such as this, are in line with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries long-term vision for aquaculture."
Barramundi Blue is owned by Geoff Orpin and Cynthia Taylor. Ms Taylor was awarded the TAFE 2004 Outstanding Trainee in Aquaculture.
Mr Palaszczuk said the barramundi aquaculture industry in Queensland had enjoyed impressive growth over the last few years.
"Total production increased by 42% from 2001/02 to more than 1000 tonnes in 2002/03. The total value of barramundi increased by nearly 34% to approximately
$9 million," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"With the Department's new focus on profitable primary industries, DPI&F has been working closely with the Queensland aquaculture industries federation and the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association."
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 3004 or 0418 197 350