01/04/14: New Funding for WA YTK

 Through the Regional Grants Scheme, Royalties for Regions a grant of $1.3m is being made to the overall trial project cost of $2.145m for a trial grow-out of up to 30,000 Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings at Champion Bay, Geraldton, Western Australia.

The initial trial in 2008-09 received $605,595 from the same source which sees additional collaboration between the Marine Fish-farmers Association (MFA) and Indian Ocean Fresh Australia (IOFA).

Agricultural Region Members Paul Brown MLC and Martin Aldridge MLC said the prospect of successfully growing out kingfish to market size under standard sea cage conditions could have enormous future benefits to the aquaculture industry.

“The trial will focus on economically important kingfish production issues identified in the trial, improving fish growth and survival through improved nutrition efficiency and fish health,” Mr Brown said.

“It is hoped the trial will demonstrate the advantage of warmer growing conditions on the Mid West coast, build industry expertise and enhance the investment of potential kingfish farming in the region.”

A clickable map of Australia's states and mainland territories (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“All knowledge generated will be available to the wider industry and data collected may benefit finfish aquaculture development elsewhere in WA.”

IOFA director Erica Starling welcomed the opportunity under Royalties for Regions to conduct further collaborative work between industry and government.

“The initial trial conducted in the Mid-West area for the grow out of Yellowtail Kingfish was very promising and it was the first cycle from hatch to harvest to be grown in WA waters,” she said.

 “Importantly we hope this is a positive step forward in developing aquaculture in the Midwest and WA that is viable and helps to create a long term industry, which will bring jobs and new skills to the area and provide great seafood for both domestic and international markets.”

Source:  National Party of WA - Paul Brown MLC

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