Victorian Open Water Murray Cod Aquaculture Industry Development Plan

Overview

In 2003 the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) commenced a research project that looked at finding ways to achieve multiple water use by adding value and sustainability to agricultural landscapes. The research project centred on a major case study involving partnerships with three, large scale irrigated horticulture farms at Red Cliffs.

The case study and associated trials involved pilot commercial scale production of Murray Cod and other freshwater species in production systems which are floated in existing, privately owned, large-scale irrigation storage dams, with the intention that the enterprise would be fully integrated within the existing horticulture enterprise. The pilot project was completed in June 2007.

The need for commercialisation of the research project's findings evolved out of this case study with a small but highly motivated industry network including existing farmer partners and additional new entrants extending down to Piangil and over into the South Australian Riverland.

In 2008, to facilitate commercialisation and associated regional development, Swan Hill Rural City Council supported by industry, DPI, and the Mildura Development Corporation (representing Mildura City Council) applied for funding from Regional Development Victoria's Food Industry for a Regionally Sustainable Tomorrow (F.I.R.S.T.) Program.  This funding was used to employ a consultant to prepare a formal industry development plan to ensure that industry investment in North West Victoria is coordinated and targeted at key risk areas and consistent with Best Practice Standards.

The Industry Development Plan is seen as a crucial next step in progressing the establishment of this new industry for the region.  The Plan provides guidelines for requisite investment, infrastructure, capability, networking, production targets, research and development, risk mitigations, seasonality, processing, product development, marketing, promotion, logistics and distribution.

The Plan also identifies strategies requiring development, collaboration and investment for the long term growth as a sustainable industry sector to assist the future development of the industry. Among the key strategies are:

• Attraction of additional open water growers
• Achieving scale and reliability in the supply of advanced stocker fish.
• Rapid increases in production volumes through the recruitment of new open water growers.
• Development of processing capability so that a range of end-use products can be taken to market.
• Development of “purpose formulated” Murray Cod feed rations and an improved feed manufacturing capability.
• Commercialisation and ongoing development of the selective breeding program.
• Product diversification to include portion control, longer shelf life packaging and other value-adding, and
• Commencing work on new target markets at least 8 months in advance.

The Victorian Open Water Murray Cod Aquaculture Industry Development Plan will not only guide future investment decisions but also enable the industry network to expand.

Swan Hill Rural City Council through the Economic Development Unit will continue its lead role in assisting this new industry to develop, by coordinating a committee to oversee the implementation of Priority Actions identified in the Industry Development Plan, and by encouraging the formation of an industry cluster to ultimately take control of the sector. The Economic Development Unit will also work collaboratively to facilitate and encourage activities that lead to the provision of allied services for the industry across the region.

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