The success of snapper, Pagrus auratus , culture in Japan has been built on a thorough knowledge of this species' biology and behaviour in the wild. In addition, sound applied research into nutritional requirements, larval production and equipment for culture have facilitated technology transfer from research agencies to industry (Foscarini 1988). In Western Australia, research is required to confirm that juvenile production techniques, optimal stocking densities, feed formulations and feed rates developed elsewhere for Pagrus auratus and Sparus auratus are also applicable to snapper in the Western Australian environment. Disease and parasite risks are largely unknown in the Western Australian environment and treatments will need to be developed in parallel with commercial trials. The technology and methods developed overseas have been based on the economics of supplying fresh fish into local markets at premium prices. Snapper cultured within Western Australia will therefore need to minimize production costs in order to absorb the added expense of freight and handling (Smith & Hataya 1982, Cosh 1982). An economic appraisal of snapper culture in New Zealand has been undertaken by Cosh (1982), who provided a synopsis for potential farmers which highlights production costs, feed costs and market values for farmed snapper in Japan as constraints upon the viability of snapper mariculture. More recently, snapper farmers have had to contend with lower prices being realised for their cultured stock than prices being paid for wild caught fish plus an oversupply of cultured snapper on local markets in Japan. In Western Australia the availability of protected areas with sufficient depth for sea cage culture appear limited, consequently prospective farmers may have to investigate the economics of shore based facilities or off-shore sea cages for open ocean farming. Due to the seasonal oversupply of large snapper from Shark Bay, farming may need to concentrate upon smaller sizes, export markets or identify new market niches. Although suitable pelletised foods are not yet produced commercially in Western Australia, existing stock feed manufacturers should have the expertise to produce pellets from the established diet formulations available. Snapper fry are presently available for trial stocking of sea cages from the South West College of TAFE aquaculture and training facility at Fremantle. |