Kimberley Aquaculture Development Plan
The following is the Executive Summary of the Kimberley Aquaculture Development Plan.
Introduction
The decline in the world's major wild fisheries has been well documented, as has been the projected increase in demand for aquatic foods. Western Australia is well placed to develop a significant, market-driven aquaculture industry capable of supplying a major share of high-value aquatic foods to these growing markets. The Kimberley region of Western Australia has strong potential for commercial aquaculture development. At present, the pearl oyster industry is the only significant commercial aquaculture operation in the Kimberley. However, the region has outstanding natural resources for aquaculture development and is ideally situated to supply the world's biggest aquatic food marketplace, in Asia. 
To facilitate the development of this industry in the Kimberley region the Department of Fisheries and the Kimberley Development Commission have prepared a detailed Aquaculture Development Plan and established a regional Aquaculture Development Group. This document provides a summary of the key content of that plan and an overview of the industry development opportunities that are available.
The Kimberley Region
Regional Overview
Located at Australia's north-west corner, the Kimberley region comprises a land area of approximately 421,000 km2. It is distinguished by a diverse range of geographical features. The longest river is the Fitzroy, which is periodically characterised by dramatic flooding and tremendous water flows. The Ord River, which flows through Lakes Argyle and Kununurra, provides the water source for the commercially-important irrigation area. Many rivers flow from the high-rainfall parts of the northern plateaux to the coastline.
The coastal and marine environments comprise numerous inlets, mangrove shores, bays and offshore islands. The coast is prone to large tidal variations that, together with summer river discharges, dramatically influence the coastal environment.
The major towns are Broome, Kununurra, Derby, Wyndham, Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing. Broome is currently the leading growth centre for the region. While much of the Kimberley remains undeveloped, an expansive regional economy and increasingly-sophisticated transportation and communications infrastructure now identify the region. A service and economic base has been established that is capable of supporting future initiatives and further economic growth.
Significant developments include mining, the horticultural development of the Ord River Irrigation Area and the rise of a major tourism industry with national and international markets. Primary industries include mining, oil and gas exploration, horticulture, pastoral activities, fishing and aquaculture.
Aquaculture-Oriented Features and Resources
The Kimberley region has several features that are likely to underpin the development of the aquaculture industry. Some of these features are unique and impart significant competitive advantages to the region.
The Kimberley's proximity to Asian markets is a major comparative advantage. The growing integration of Australian and Asian markets offers increasingly-evident opportunities. As a result of the growing tourist industry, international flights are operating out of the region, thereby expanding access to export markets.
The establishment of the Tropical Aquaculture Park in the Kimberley will support the development of the aquaculture industry by promoting and assisting the development of commercial aquaculture technology for a number of high-value species.
Other features include modern infrastructure, an outstanding biological and natural resource base, warm year-round growing temperatures, existing training facilities with qualified staff and a generally pro-active development climate.
Kimberley Aquaculture Development Plan
Objectives and Structure
The Kimberley Aquaculture Development Plan:
- describes the Kimberley's aquaculture-oriented resources; identifies areas best suited for future growth; provides a strategy to promote and support aquaculture industry development; and
- provide appropriate guidelines and recommendations.
Key Recommendations
The key recommendations in the Development Plan are:
- to establish a group to oversee the development of the industry and recommendations in the Kimberley Aquaculture Development Plan; and
- within selected Aquaculture Development Sectors, to identify specific aquaculture sites and, for each site, compatible species and production technologies.
The first recommendation is essential to ensure the Development Plan is implemented with the support of the regional community and relevant agencies and groups.
The second recommendation provides specific, detailed guidelines for commercial aquaculture development at selected sites. This is critical to stimulate investment in selected industry sectors and lead to the establishment of successful core projects around which the industry can grow. Particular emphasis is placed upon the development of industry sectors considered most likely to demonstrate early success, stimulating investment in the development of the industry. These include the aquaculture of native aquarium fish, Argyle bream, barramundi (as well as aquaculture for a put-and-take tourist fishery in Lake Kununurra) and redclaw crayfish.
Strategy Implementation
The formation of the Kimberley Aquaculture Development Group is critical to the successful implementation of the strategy. This group will develop an implementation plan from the report targeted at overcoming the obstacles to aquaculture development in the Kimberley.
Aquaculture in the Kimberley
Potential Sites
The Kimberley has numerous sites suitable for the culture of an impressive array of finfish and shellfish species in marine, brackish water and fresh water environments. In particular, the vast fresh water resources of Lakes Argyle and Kununurra have enormous potential for immediate aquaculture development. Although development in much of the coastal area is limited by remoteness, that zone is ideally suited to many forms of aquaculture. The offshore islands, with their access to high-quality sea water, offer enormous future potential.
Potential Species
A candidate species being considered for commercial aquaculture should be characterised by:
- favourable marketing, production efficiency and commercial viability factors; well known or reasonably well known culture technologies; and
- production systems that are compatible with the nature of the available sites.
| Species with potential for commercial aquaculture in the Kimberley include: | ||
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With the exception of redclaw, all these species are native to the Kimberley. The translocation of redclaw to the region is currently being assessed.
Culture Technologies and Production Systems
The culture technology for many of the species listed above is poorly developed. However, several species have existing, well developed culture technology. These species, which are considered suitable for immediate commercial development in the Kimberley, include some native aquarium fish, barramundi, and pearl oysters (species other than P. maxima). Those species for which the development of a suitable culture technology appears imminent include Argyle bream (sooty grunter), tropical abalone, trochus and clams. The wide range of resources available in the Kimberley also provides an unprecedented amount of latitude in the selection of a production system best suited to any particular site, species and culture technology.
Markets
South-East Asia is the biggest fish market in the world and its demand and ability to pay for high-quality products is increasing. A Kimberley aquaculture industry has geographic and other advantages in supplying an array of high-value aquatic products aimed at the top end of the South-East Asian and domestic markets.
Potential Aquaculture Sites, Species and Systems
The Development Plan identifies six Aquaculture Management Zones: the Dampier Peninsula, Lake Argyle, Irrigation, Pastoral, Coastal and Offshore Zones.
Dampier Peninsula Zone
The Dampier Peninsula Zone encompasses the Dampier Peninsula, King Sound and the Canning Coast. It comprises four principal sectors, the Tropical Aquaculture Park located at Broome and a special development zone with Derby at its centre. King Sound, a dominant feature of the zone, is characterised by a macro-tidal regime that would influence aquaculture developments. The Dampier Peninsula Zone is considered to have high aquaculture potential.
The Tropical Aquaculture Park will be an important component of aquaculture development in the Kimberley. The facility will accommodate fundamental services such as water supply and drainage, air and power. By providing these resources, it will facilitate and encourage the development of culture technology for a wide variety of marine, brackish water and fresh water species. Further, it will provide a base for hatcheries producing commercial quantities of seed stock, such as juvenile trochus and barramundi, destined for growout elsewhere.
The Coastal/Inter-Tidal sector includes Dampier Peninsula's coastal strip. It is a high-energy coast with sandy beaches, rocky headlands and embayment. The generally low-profile coast provides marine and brackish water sites that may be suitable for trochus, several marine finfish species, prawns, mud crab and clams. The area is primarily suited to land-based production systems; water-based systems are likely to be limited to low energy embayment with small tidal streams.
The Northern King Sound/Buccaneer Archipelago sector includes Buccaneer Archipelago and the northern half of King Sound. The generally high energy area is subject to extreme tidal flows and streams. Sea water quality is more oceanic than estuarine and productivity is high. A significant part of the area is used by the pearling industry. A variety of sites are available that may be suitable for growing marine species such as trochus, clams, finfish, prawns mud crab and trepang. Land-based systems are possible in some areas, particularly the western shores of King Sound, but there is more potential for water-based systems such as longline (hanging culture) systems for shellfish and ranching on reefs and shoals.
The Southern King Sound sector occupies the southern half of King Sound. Tidal ranges are extreme and, due to the influence of several significant river systems, most notably the Fitzroy, water quality is highly variable. Consequently, much of the sector is poorly suited for aquaculture. There may be some potential sites on the western shore of King Sound. These may suit marine and brackish water species such as prawns, barramundi, other brackish water finfishes and mud crabs. Compatible systems would be principally land-based.
The Inland sector is generally flat. Surface and ground water can be abundant; however there is no permanent surface water. The ground water salinity ranges from fresh to brackish. Suitable aquaculture candidates include fresh and brackish water species such as native aquarium fish, Argyle bream, barramundi, redclaw crayfish and cherabin. Production systems would be land-based, intensive and semi-intensive using tanks and ponds.
The extensive flat areas and ground water in the Derby special development zone provide several areas that could support marine, brackish water and fresh water aquaculture. Water turbidity is high, salinities vary from fresh to hyper-saline, tidal ranges are extreme and water temperature ranges high. Suitable species and systems include aquarium fish, barramundi and prawns grown in land-based, intensive to extensive methods. There are large areas suited for pond construction.
Lake Argyle Zone
The Lake Argyle Zone comprises Lake Argyle and its shores. Work has been carried out to raise the spillway as part of the hydro-electric scheme. A pipeline is being included in the works that will allow a continuous supply of water to Spillway Creek. An innovative research programme underway at Lake Argyle is determining the extent to which waste products from the existing wild fishery and future aquaculture operations may be utilised as by-products, by incorporating them into manufactured aquaculture diets. Lake Argyle is a substantial aquaculture development resource that has high aquaculture potential.
Lake Argyle comprises an extensive area of open, exposed water, but there are several well protected areas that could provide numerous sites for water-based, fresh water aquaculture. A pilot-scale barramundi cage farming operation already exists in the lake. Other potential species include Argyle bream, native aquarium fish (such as archer and rainbow fishes) and catfish. Production systems would be almost exclusively water-based, using intensive cage farming methods, though there are some land areas on the shores of the lake that may be suitable for small-scale, intensive production. In the future, the more exposed areas of the lake could be used for larger-scale aquaculture operations if larger cages designed for open ocean conditions can be used.
Irrigation Zone
The Irrigation Zone encompasses the area downstream from the Lake Argyle dam wall, Lake Kununurra, the irrigation area and the lower Ord River. It contains three principal sectors and accommodates the Frank Wise Tropical Agriculture Research Facility. Lake Kununurra, which is maintained at a constant level using water from Lake Argyle, and the water supply channels and drains of the irrigation area are significant aquaculture-oriented features. Aquaculture development in this area would be highly compatible with the existing horticulture industry and infrastructure. Additional, important aquaculture-oriented features of the zone are enormous quantities of fresh water, suitable land areas, ideal growing temperatures, good all-weather access to many areas and good infrastructure and services. The area is increasingly becoming a major tourist attraction for activities that include recreational fishing. The Irrigation Zone is considered to have outstanding prospects for aquaculture development.
The Lake Kununurra sector, which includes the lake and its surrounding land, is well suited for fresh water aquaculture. Lake Kununurra, already a valuable recreational resource, is ideally placed for the development of a put-and-take recreational fishery for barramundi and possibly Argyle bream. It is likely that significant benefits would flow from such an enterprise: recreational fishing in Australia has a significant economic impact and high value. The land areas of the sector could support fresh water aquaculture operations growing Argyle bream, barramundi, native aquarium fish, redclaw crayfish, cherabin and various fresh water finfishes, employing the full range of land-based production systems. There is also potential for intensive aquaculture in land-based systems upstream from Lake Kununurra, utilising the water that is released from Lake Argyle.
The Irrigation sector comprises all the areas serviced by the irrigation channels. Aquaculture could be highly compatible with the successful horticulture industry located within this sector: the two industries have a high degree of synergy and much of the requisite infrastructure is already in place. It could support the aquaculture of all the fresh water species described for the Lake Kununurra sector. Some water-based systems may be well suited to the irrigation channels and other impoundment's. There is enormous potential to develop a variety of land-based aquaculture production systems in the areas serviced by the supply and drainage channels of the irrigation system. The features of this area provide an unprecedented opportunity for the development of highly efficient and profitable vertically-integrated aquaculture systems in the Kimberley. Significant opportunities also exist for integrating aquaculture with current agriculture operations.
The Lower Ord sector includes the Ord River downstream from Lake Kununurra and its adjoining land. Due to the irrigation system, the river is no longer prone to flooding and the adjacent flood plains therefore provide extensive areas suitable for fresh water species. There is also limited potential for brackish water aquaculture further downstream. Potential species include all those described for the Lake Kununurra sector, as well as brackish water finfishes. Land-based, semi-intensive and extensive production systems using ponds are likely to predominate.
The Frank Wise Tropical Agriculture Research Facility is located on the bank of the Ord River towards the end of the water supply channels. The presence of the Research Facility is remarkably fortunate for the development of the local aquaculture industry. It has water resources and land types representative of the Irrigation Zone and provides an ideal site for carrying out trials and establishing demonstrations of the species, culture technologies and production systems described as having potential in the zone.
Pastoral Zone
The Pastoral Zone comprises the enormous, inland area of the Kimberley. Any aquaculture developments in this area are likely to be limited to small-scale operations. The aquaculture potential of the north-western part of the zone is considered low to medium; that of the remainder is low.
Ground water in the Pastoral Zone is extensive but predominantly limited to the north-western area, which has higher, reliable rainfall and sites better suited to aquaculture development than the south-eastern area, which is drier and subject to periodic, severe flooding. Aquaculture in the Pastoral Zone could be a profitable adjunct to the predominating pastoral industry. Suitable species are all fresh water and include Argyle bream, native aquarium fish, cherabin and redclaw crayfish. Land-based, intensive and semi-intensive production systems are the most appropriate.
Coastal Zone
The Coastal Zone principally comprises coastal areas of Cambridge Gulf and the Kimberley Coast (King Sound and the Canning coast form a part of the Dampier Peninsula Zone). It is divided into four principal sectors and a special development zone centred around Wyndham. This exceptional area is distinguished by some of the best-protected coastal waters in Australia, relatively low wave energy, a macro-tidal regime and conspicuous mangroves along the shoreline. Limited, seasonal access to most areas may impede aquaculture development to some extent; however, the Coastal Zone has excellent prospects for aquaculture enterprises undertaken by local communities.
The Fresh Water sector includes coastal pools and rivers upstream of any tidal influence. There are numerous sites that would be suited to aquaculture development. They would utilise both permanent and ephemeral surface water and ground water. Suitable species include Argyle bream, native aquarium fish, barramundi, cherabin and redclaw crayfish, cultured in land-based intensive and semi-intensive systems using tanks, raceways and ponds.
The Macro-Tidal sector comprises extensive flats and fresh water pools near river mouths, which are subject to infrequent but periodic inundation by extreme tides and wet season water flows. There are several sites that may have some potential for pond development. Suitable species and production systems are likely to be limited to marine prawns grown in semi-intensive and extensive ponds.
The Coastal Bays/Sounds sector encompasses several major gulfs and bays and includes the tidal land beaches, reefs and water they contain. Most of the area is subject to the macro-tidal regime; however, some bays with good tidal exchange are protected from extreme weather and tidal streams. These protected bays offer some of the best areas of protected water in Western Australia and have excellent potential as sites for aquaculture. Species such as trochus, clams, mud crab, trepang and various marine finfish species have aquaculture potential. Production systems would be water-based, using longlines, ranching and sea cages.
The Coastal Islands/Reefs sector includes the near shore islands and reefs. There are several areas of protected water among the reefs and islands that provide good sites for aquaculture. The sea water quality varies from inshore to oceanic and the tidal regime is more moderate than that characteristic of the coastal bays and sounds. Species that may be suited to this area include trochus, clams and various other marine shellfish and finfish. Production systems would be water-based, using sea cages, longlines and ranching methods.
The Wyndham special development zone is located to take advantage of the aquaculture-oriented services and facilities generated by the town. Extensive areas of mud flats may be suitable as sites for aquaculture development however, many of these are prone to tidal extremes. It may be possible to utilise the mud flats and take advantage of the tidal regime by constructing ponds with suitably engineered levees. Water temperature and salinity can vary significantly. In the future, fresh water may be supplied to the area from the Ord system. Aquaculture candidate species and systems include native aquarium fish, barramundi and prawns grown in land-based, intensive and semi-intensive tanks, raceways and ponds.
Offshore Zone
The Offshore Zone encompasses numerous offshore coral reefs and islands, some of which are conservation reserves or have conservation value. It comprises three sectors with aquaculture potential and the Rowley Shoals. The Offshore Zone provides the only true marine environment in the Kimberley however, aquaculture development is likely to be constrained by limited access and shelter. The Offshore Zone has low aquaculture potential at present but may have excellent prospects in the future as the industry develops and new technologies become available.
The Scott/Seringapatam sector includes Scott Reef, which itself comprises three reefs (North, Sandy Island and Horseshoe Reefs), and Seringapatam Reef, a circular reef complex. It is a high wave energy area that provides some excellent sites with oceanic-quality water for aquaculture development. In particular, a lagoon area enclosed by Horseshoe Reef offers a prime, protected site characterised by significant tidal exchange. Numerous species of marine finfish and shellfish may be suitable for culture including reef fish such as coral trout and red emperor, trochus and clams. The aquaculture of some of these species will only be possible when suitable culture technologies have been developed. Production systems would all be water-based, employing sea cages for finfish and longlines and ranching methods for shellfish.
The Browse/Cartier sector contains Browse Island, which is one of the biggest islands in the Offshore Zone and a nature reserve, and Cartier Island, a small, sandy cay. Neither island has internal lagoons. The only protection from winds is on their leeward sides. The water quality is excellent. The only sites that may be suitable for aquaculture occur on the coral flats associated with each island. Species such as trochus and clams, grown on these flats using ranching methods offer good aquaculture prospects.
The Eastern Oceanic sector consists of two areas of island and reef complexes: a southern area comprising Adele, Albert, Beagle, Churchill and Mavis Reefs and a northern area comprising West and East Holothuria Reefs, East Reef and Cassini Island. Productivity is generally low, but marginally higher in the northern area. Other than Cassini Island, which has a relatively safe anchorage that could provide a base for aquaculture operations in the area, there are few protected areas. There are extensive areas of reef flats. Various marine finfish and shellfish can be cultured here in water-based systems employing sea cages, longlines and ranching. The extensive reef flats associated with the various reefs may be ideally suited for trochus and clam ranching.
The Rowley Shoals comprise Mermaid, Clerke and Imperieuse Reefs. They are within the Rowley Shoals Marine Park, constitute probably the most productive reef complex of the north-west coast and have a very diverse and abundant fish fauna. Commercial fishing is prohibited in their vicinity. The area has a high conservation value and should be maintained in its natural state however the area could be a valuable source of broodstock for aquaculture purposes, subject to appropriate conditions.
Conclusions
The Kimberley is considered to have outstanding potential for the aquaculture development of species in addition to pearl oysters. The region's wealth of natural resources coupled with its increasingly-sophisticated economy and infrastructure provide the framework needed to attract the necessary investment. Some aquaculture projects can be developed immediately; others have enormous potential for future development, depending upon the sites and species being considered and several other factors. The culture of some marine fish species in offshore locations will only take place in the future. The establishment of industries culturing trochus and similar species could occur relatively quickly and there are significant social-economic implications associated with the development of this sector of the industry. A high priority is given to the founding of successful aquaculture projects that will demonstrate the potential of aquaculture in the Kimberley immediately or in the very near future. These projects would revolve around the culture of native aquarium fish, the utilisation of Lake Kununurra for a put-and-take recreational fishing enterprise by stocking barramundi (and possibly Argyle bream) and the culture of redclaw crayfish.
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