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GENERAL
INFORMATION ABOUT PRAWN FARMING IN QUEENSLAND
The
Species
The marine prawns currently farmed in Queensland include the Kuruma
prawn (Penaeus japonicus) and the black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon).
Brown tiger (Penaeus esculentus) and banana (Penaeus merguiensis) are
increasing in popularity as production techniques are refined.
Production Summary
Marine prawn production continues to increase rapidly in Queensland.
The farm gate value of production exceeded $45.2 million in 99/00 compared
with $32.4 million in 98/99. Total production increased by 35% from
1855.4 tonnes in 98/99 to 2504.6 tonnes in 99/00. Prawn farming is the
largest aquaculture industry in Queensland.
Market Background
Much of the black tiger and banana production is sold locally through
wholesalers to the two largest retailers. The Kuruma and brown tiger
is sold almost solely to Japan.
Most black tiger is sold in the domestic market in the cooked form.
This market is mainly the populated area of south-east Queensland (i.e.
Brisbane and Gold Coast); and Sydney
Improving Technology
Queensland prawn farming technology is improving rapidly with the rapid
growth of the industry: Queensland technology is continuing to develop
with a significant number of farms consistently yielding over 6 tonnes
per hectare and some over 7 tonnes per hectare. Average feed conversion
ratios improved by 4.5% last year.
Investment prospects
Investor interest in farming marine prawns in Queensland remains high.
Australia continues to import large volumes of prawns for local consumption
and demand for the product is high. The Queensland farmed product is
increasingly recognised in the market and well run prawn farms are profitable.
However, entry to the industry is not simple. Investors are subjected
to the most rigorous approvals process. Despite this, the are several
applications being processed for new farms and expansion of existing
farms, and a concerted effort is underway by State and Federal Government
to streamline application process.
Industry Background
The Queensland prawn farming industry developed relatively slowly in
the 1980's, many of the pioneers were small-scale individual operators,
often only part-time prawn farmers. There was limited capital and limited
technology.
Over the last five years large corporations have entered the industry
and many are looking to establish farms of over 50 ha. There are now
3 farms in Queensland producing over 200 tonnes per annum and 12 farms
producing over 50 tonnes.
The industry is undergoing a transformation; farm production is expected
to double in the next three years. This expansion will continue to be
in an environmentally conscious manner.
Further economies of scale will be reached such that many high costs
such as feed and equipment will be reduced.
Location
Black tiger prawns are cultured along the length of the Queensland coastline.
Clusters of farms exist around one hour's drive north and south of Brisbane,
Bundaberg , Mackay, Ayr, and Cairns.
Kuruma prawns are grown exclusively in the south of the state as far
north as Bundaberg. Banana and brown tiger prawns are being trialed
throughout the State.
The Production Cycle
Queensland spans a region from 11° South to 29° South latitudes.
The further north the farm is located in the state the greater the turnover
due to higher temperatures.
Operations south of Mackay are limited to seasonal crops. They stock
both black tiger and Kuruma in early summer (around October) and harvest
in early winter (around May).
North of Mackay, Black Tiger (p. monodon) farms consistently achieve
more than one crop per year. Operations north of Cairns can achieve
two crops of per year. Rocky Point Prawn Farm is at about 27.5°
South and produces only one crop per year. Timing of production is also
dictated by the seasonal availability of the broodstock and the producers'
desire to supply to the more lucrative seasonal markets such as Christmas.
Future Industry Structure
Expansion forecasts put the potential for the Queensland prawn industry
at around $100 million (farm gate value of production) in the next five
years.
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