Our projects
Since 2015, we've partnered with global collaborators in formal joint ventures, introducing Murray cod as a premier aquaculture species and alternative to local fish. Our ongoing projects in southern China are set to serve the market from 2018, following successful trials in late 2016. We're actively exploring additional projects and partnerships internationally, and aim to expand Murray cod aquaculture across the world.
At Uarah Fisheries, we see aquaculture as the environmentally-sustainable and socially-ethical solution to the increasing food intake needed to support a rising global population.
Aquaculture is necessary to alleviate the immense stress on wild fish populations and their natural habitats caused by commercial fishing and trawling. Compared to traditional agriculture, aquaculture requires less water, energy and land to produce food. A recirculating aquaculture system, especially, can be incredibly water-efficient – even its wastewater can be recycled for other agricultural needs, such as nutrient-rich fertiliser for crops.
Considering these environmental and social implications, aquaculture will continue to increase in importance both in Australia and abroad – indeed, it is predicted to contribute 62 per cent of world intake of fish and seafood produce by 2030. At Uarah Fisheries, we are extremely excited at this prospect and are wholly committed both to reviving Murray cod as a premium eating fish in Australia, as well as to spreading the aquaculture of Murray cod worldwide, to markets where this premium fish would be in demand and to countries where traditional forms of agriculture and aquaculture are less feasible.
To the global market, Australia is renowned for its abundance and quality of natural resources and clean produce. Murray cod is the iconic Australian freshwater fish, and was a critical component of the Australian diet for thousands of years until total ban on commercial fishing and severe restrictions placed on recreational fishing of Murray cod were introduced in the mid-20th century. The Murray cod has fantastic eating qualities, of both taste and texture, and has exceptional nutritional value, being especially high in omega-3 and other essential fatty acids.
Overall, we have been working with global producers since the 1980’s when we first began to supply Murray cod larvae and fingerlings abroad. This involvement gradually increased since the 2000’s to include additional services and consultancy. Today, with many of our current global partners, not only do we supply premium quality larvae and fingerlings, but also do we contribute technical and operational oversight, specialised equipment, infrastructure design and consultancy. For some overseas partners, we even send experienced technical staff from our own operations – some of whom are multilingual – to engage in expert training and supervision of local workers.
Since 2015, we have also been actively engaging with foreign partners in formal joint ventures to establish and manage global projects where we are introducing Murray cod as a serious aquaculture species and as a premium alternative to other locally-farmed fish. Our current global projects are located in southern China, and are anticipated to service the Chinese market beginning in 2018, with initial trials already reaching the market in late 2016. We are also looking to engage in further projects and joint venture partnerships in other regions of China and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific.
Eventually, we aim to expand the reach of Murray cod aquaculture globally, to the greater Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.