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CSIRO Media Release | |||
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3 March 1998 |
Ref 98/45 |
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CSIRO and University of Queensland researchers are seeking to boost abalone exports to Asian markets by developing the farming potential of a smaller tropical abalone with a delicate flavour and a convenient size for banquets.
Dubbed the ‘cocktail’ abalone, Haliotis asinina is the fastest growing abalone in the world, making it ideal for aquaculture.
According to University of Queensland researcher, Dr Bernie Degnan, the ‘cocktail’ abalone could help fill Asian market demand for smaller, tastier abalone.
"Despite the huge expenditure into traditional temperate abalone aquaculture, industry progress has been hampered by slow growth rates, irregular spawning and the long time between each generation of abalone," he says.
"Our studies show that the tropical ‘cocktail’ abalone grows much faster than other commercial abalone species and reaches viable market size in less than a year. More are also likely to survive being ‘farmed’ in an aquaculture environment."
An extensive market already exists for this abalone with the abalone being fished in Southeast Asia and eaten as a food delicacy within Southeast Asia as well as in China, Japan, Europe and Australia.
"Worldwide there is increasing pressure on aquaculture to meet the demand for abalone in the face of declining fishing stocks," Dr Degnan says. "Our studies on the ‘cocktail’ abalone show that it could prove a real boon for the lucrative abalone market currently worth more than $150 million to Australia each year."
"Abalone fetches big prices in South East Asia," he adds. "I have seen it selling at Sydney Airport for $200 a kilogram.
"And when the ‘cocktail’ abalone were trialled at Sydney restaurants, they were very favourably received."
Research is beginning a new phase that will develop efficient cultivation techniques for farming the ‘cocktail’ abalone at suitable locations along Australia’s tropical coastline.
CSIRO Marine Researcher, Dr Kevin Williams says they are looking to develop a suitable diet for the ‘cocktail’ abalone. In the wild, abalone eats plant material such as algae and seaweed, however in an aquaculture environment it is not economically feasible or ecologically desirable to feed abalone on food harvested from the wild.
"We need to be able to produce a formulated feed that simulates what the abalone would eat in their natural environment," Dr Williams says.
"There has already been a lot of diet work done for the temperate abalone species, but we need to build on this to develop a diet best suited for tropical abalone."
Researchers are confident that the ‘cocktail’ abalone will be ready for aquaculture farming within three years.
The abalone project is a collaborative one between CSIRO and the University of Queensland, with Western Australian based industry partner, Aquanology Pty Ltd.
Media are invited to attend a tasting of ‘Cocktail’ abalone snacks in Brisbane at the Sushi Station, Shop 11, Toowong Place, Sherwood Rd, Toowong, Queensland at 10.30 am on Tuesday March 3, 1998. Parking is available on the roof (off Sherwood Rd). A range of ‘cocktail’ abalone snacks will be available, including a secret recipe served to Taiwan VIPs.
There will also be live ‘cocktail’ abalone in aquariums for vision opportunities.
More information:
Dr Bernie Degnan, University of Queensland, Zoology Department
Phone: (07) 3365 2467 (work), (07) 3217 5029 (home)
Dr Kevin Williams, CSIRO Marine Science, Cleveland, Brisbane
Phone: (07) 3826 7200 (work), (07) 3207 0750 (home)
Mr David Lim, Owner of Sushi Station
Phone: (07) 3221 9100 (work), 0412 375 888 (mobile)
For media assistance prior to and during the media event, please
contact:
Miranda Free, Phone (07) 3278 1058; 014 879 374 (mobile)
Jenni Metcalfe, 014 916 372 (mobile)
Don Michel, Manager of Communication, CSIRO Marine Science, Hobart
Phone (03) 6232 5348 (work)
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