FRDC sponsorships, workshops and project development (not associated with existing projects)
Value adding to fish processing waste through aquafeed development
Final report
The management and disposal of solid wastes from seafood processing, food manufacturing and allied industries is a major economic and environmental issue for Australian industry. Large quantities of wet waste of this nature are routinely disposed of to landfill at considerable cost to industry. Some companies have developed markets or alternative uses for their wastes (such as petfood, bait, pig food or fertilisers) to avoid or offset the costs of disposal, but generally the wastes are supplied free of charge to secondary users and there is limited opportunity for downstream value-adding.
The utilisation of seafood, aquatic and other food processing wastes as a replacement for imported fishmeal in aquafeed production is the main focus of this project. The availability of locally-produced formulated feeds using these otherwise wasted resources would provide a firm base to underpin current and future aquaculture production in Victoria and indeed Australia.
The study emphasised the need for a multi-pronged approach to determine the suitability of ingredients for incorporation into fish diets. In all cases, the findings have to be confirmed through growth trials, prior to possible commercialisation.
Processing of redclaw crayfish for improvement of quality and shelf-life - adding value
The CCFA is actively seeking the methods to enhance the marketing of its product, ensuring that it is very transportable from Central Queensland to domestic and international markets. Preliminary overseas marketing at this time has established an international interest in this product. Europe is very keen on crayfish in their diet, and currently are suffering from the devastating effects of the crayfish plague. It would be ideal if our product were able to penetrate these markets and establish an identify.
The redclaw aquaculture industry is maturing and has become a viable commercial product in the market place. The opportunity to expand production is hampered by the difficulties in the marketing and moralities during transportation of the product. Redclaw do not respond will to being held in aquaria after they have arrived at their markets. Within the Association the executive is aware that there are a significant number of ponds available to boost production figures, however, production quantity is depressed as growers perceive real difficulties with the marketing aspects of redclaw production. Often people enter the industry in a part-time capacity and are unwilling to expand their production because of the lack of facilities to identify appropriate markets and the preferred product types.
Investigations through ad-hoc grower approaches to their own markets, have identified problems with the transportation of live crays. These include costs, packaging difficulties, and the physiological stress experienced by the animals leading to moralities. After an extensive marketing presentation into the Sydney Fish markets for Aquafood 99, the Association determined that the consumer in large cities prefer the product to be presented in a more "user friendly" pack, allowing them greater freedom of choice with the redclaw flesh. Further investigations by the organisations has identified that the only information available on the processing of redclaw was an article in the Australian Fisheries (vol 94, no 11 1990) on acceptability of redclaw and that no research has been conducted on the extension of shelf-life, packaging or product development of this crayfish.
Final report
Developing methods for live export of western king prawns
The successful marketing of live farmed prawns shows that there is significant potential for adding value to Australia's prawn catch by exporting live wild-caught prawns. South Australia's Gulf St Vincent (GSV) provided an ideal environment for examining export opportunities. Firstly, GSV produces a large prawn (the western king prawn penaeus latisulcatus) by world standards; certainly relative to farmed prawns. Consumers in premium seafood markets prefer large prawns. Secondly, GSV is situated within easy access to an international air terminal with prawns capable of being airfreighted within hours of capture. Thirdly, the GSV fishery has actively supported initiatives in gear design to minimise damage to prawns and is keen to promote value-adding initiatives to its low volume (200-300t.p.a) fishery. Lastly, the clean and green environmental work practices established in the GSV fishery provide additional promotional opportunities in positioning Australian seafood in premium export markets. The need for improved product handling and distribution channels, addressed in relation to prawns, extends to other South Australian seafood sectors.