TAFEWA aquaculture technology breeds success

22/6/07
Challenger TAFE is pioneering a new style of aquaculture with a Semi-Intensive Floating Tank System (SIFTS) at its Ocean Fish Farm operation at the South Mole in Fremantle.
Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the TAFEWA College had recently installed SIFTS, which was already yielding more fish in cleaner water than traditional fish farms.
"SIFTS was initially developed by Challenger TAFE and McRobert Aquaculture for use on farming land. It was successfully trialled in the Wheatbelt and also won an ABC New Inventors award in 2005," Mr McGowan said.
"Challenger TAFE is now expanding the technology to test SIFTS use for ocean fish farms, where it has significant commercial benefits."
The Minister said water was circulated through the fish farm in a way that enabled extraction of fish waste, which in turn created a much cleaner environment and a more successful fish-growing program.
"Traditional fish farms generally produce about five kilograms of fish per cubic metre, but farms using the SIFTS technology can produce up to 10 times this density," he said.
"The fish waste removed from the growing tanks can also be recycled and used as fertiliser."
Challenger TAFE staff and students are currently growing a range of species including Yellowtail Kingfish, Rainbow Trout and Mulloway at the South Mole site to demonstrate the benefits of the system.
Mr McGowan said the project was an example of TAFEWA being switched on to industry innovation and training for the modern world.
"Challenger TAFE and McRobert Aquaculture are already receiving a high level of overseas interest in this technology from a range of countries including China, the United Kingdom, Africa and USA," he said.
More information about studying aquaculture at Challenger TAFE can be found at http://www.tafe.wa.edu.au
Minister's office - 9222 9111