(above) Tiger Prawns

Policy and Strategic Direction - The State Government approach to ISA development

ISA Sector Development Activities and ISA Investment Information

ISA Contacts - Who can you talk to for technical, business or licensing assistance

State Research & Development - What research has been undertaken, is underway, or planned for the future

Commercial Production - What commercial activities are underway

Planning and Approvals – Planning and licensing requirements

Policy and Strategic Direction

The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has recently been investigating the potential for inland saline aquaculture in several regions where groundwater salinity is suitable for prawn production.

Coastal prawn farming is Queensland’s largest aquaculture industry sector with up to 757 ha of ponds producing 2861 t of prawns worth over $44.5m in 2003. Although not developed in Australia the inland production of marine prawns such as the black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) and the white shrimp (Liptopenaeus vannamei) is growing rapidly. In 2003 it is estimated that in India, Ecuador, Brazil, Mexico and the United States there was a combined total of at least 4100 ha of inland prawn ponds. In Thailand however, where inland production of P. monodon is well established, an estimated 22 000 ha of inland prawn farms are thought to exist. These production estimates similarly apply to China which supplies over 30% of the world’s total shrimp production. While the farming methods vary greatly in these countries, the feasibility of inland prawn production is well recognised.

In Queensland, research effort has focused on determining the suitability of groundwater for prawn farming at salinities ranging from almost fresh to full strength seawater. In 2002 these studies were applied, in collaboration with an existing redclaw farm, to a series of trial ponds. The Queensland Minister for Primary Industries, the Honourable Henry Palaszczuk, officially opened the trials on the 12 of December 2002.

While not having developed a specific inland prawn development policy at this stage, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has recently realigned its organisational structure and arrangements to position DPI&F as an economic development agency that will drive profitable primary industries in Queensland on a sustainable basis .

Queensland Fisheries is presently undertaking a review of the aquaculture industry and a strategic development plan will be completed by the end of 2004.

ISA Sector Development Activities and ISA Investment Information

Currently ISA development is restricted to research and demonstration only. Information concerning aquaculture investment and industry development in Queensland can be obtained from:

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/

http://www.sd.qld.gov.au/dsdweb/htdocs/global/frontdoor.cfm

QDPI have an extensive net work of aquaculture extension officers available to field initial inquiries into ISA. The Queensland Department of State Development and Innovation have assumed a lead agency role in the development of aquaculture in the state. Case Officers have been assigned in the regions to attend to serious commercial aquaculture inquiries. see below.

Contacts

Queensland Department of Primary Industries Contacts:

http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/2763.html

Page 158 Gooley, G & Gavine, F. 2003, Integrated Agri Aquaculture Systems – A Resource Handbook for Australian Industry Development RIRDC Publication No 03/012 Project No MFR-2A (03-012)

State Research and Development

The following reports provide a background to the ISA research and development undertaken in Qld:

Collins, A. L. and Russell, B. J., 2004, Sustainable Inland Prawn Farming in Queensland. The demonstration of zero discharge semi-intensive production of marine prawns using low salinity groundwater. (Proposed_ISA_Page_Demonstration_Facilities_QLD_ISARC_Ov)

A detailed report on the potential of regional Queensland for inland prawn production, an analysis and discussion of saline water chemistries, results of groundwater prawn bioassays and two seasons of pond trials is available in:

Collins, A. L., Russell, B. J., Walls, A. and Hoang T. 2004, Inland Prawn Farming – Studies into the potential for inland marine prawn farming in Queensland.

A review of inland shrimp farming in the United States, its development, systems and challenges will be available in November 2004:

Collins, A. L., 2004, Inland Shrimp Farming in the USA – A study of farming practices in Arizona, Texas, Alabama and Florida.

An accompanying power point presentation of this study tour is available:

Inland Shrimp Production in the USA – A study tour of inland shrimp farms in Arizona, Texas, Alabama and Florida. Refer to International ISA

Commercial Production

The Queensland ISA demonstration project is conducted in collaboration with a commercial operator at Bauple, about 2 ½ hours drive north of Brisbane. Developed originally as a redclaw farm, new ponds have recently been constructed for prawn farming. Product will be sold directly to restaurants and specialised seafood outlets. No other inland prawn farms are operating at present.

Planning and Approvals

Inland saline aquaculture policy and specifically the production of marine prawns is not subject to specific policy. However, DPI&F will develop policy governing IPF development in the near future.

Extensive information is available on the Queensland Government’s Website regarding planning and licensing requirements for aquaculture in the state.

Aquaculture Permit Guidelines for Land Based Aquaculture farms:

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/