Boosting silver perch economics by on-farm breeding

摘要

Ian and Michelle Charles have been farming silver perch since 1996 (see AA 15-2). Over the intervening eight years they have grown from a 16 pond operation covering 2ha to a major producer with 28 ponds covering 5ha and have also witnessed dramatic changes in the silver perch industry. From a sector producing 28.8 tonnes worth 613,700 dollar in 1996 it has grown to the NSWs third largest producer by value (behind oysters and prawns). Currently producing 301t worth virtually 3 dollar m, the NSW industry is exploring ways of reducing the cost of production and expanding markets. The Charles' Silverwater Native Fish has been at the forefront of this industry thrust.