Monday, April 18, 2011

Farmed seaweed could feed Eyre Peninsula abalone

Eyre Peninsula abalone companies could soon benefit from a different kind of feed for their produce as a result of a new research project launched by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). The project, which also involves scientists from Flinders University and the University of Adelaide, will look at growing seaweed on land that has the potential to be used as abalone feed.

Currently, importing seaweed costs Australia more than AUS$15 million (UK£ 9.7 million) a year. SARDI project leaders Steven Clarke and Dr Sasi Nayar said the small quantity of seaweed currently available in the state was only obtained once it washed up onto beaches. "The best way for the industry to grow is through aquaculture," Mr Clarke said.

Dr Nayar said a large part of the project would be developing a seaweed-based manufactured product that could be used to feed abalone. "As an abalone feed, a modest 10 percent replacement of manufactured feed with the seaweed could lead to savings for growers of about AUS$200,000 (UK£129,404.771) per annum on a typical farm," Dr Nayar said. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

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