Tasmania is home to several aquaculture operations that are focused on the small-scale farming of other species, including, abalone, mussels and seahorses.
The Tasmanian aquaculture sector is varied in both the range of species farmed and the scale of operations. The Aquaculture Branch works with farming operators within the state to support and enable the valued diversity of aquaculture species farmed in Tasmania.
Abalone
Tasmanian abalone farming is based around:
Haliotis spp. (Hybrid abalone)
Haliotis rubra (Blacklip abalone)
Haliotis laevigata (Greenlip abalone)
Abalone larvae are spawned in hatcheries and reared in purpose-built nurseries, where they feed on algae for approximately six months.
They are transferred to a grow-out system for the next two to three years, which involves a mix of nutritious feed and slow-flowing seawater to simulate the ideal conditions for abalone growth. Tanks are closely monitored ensuring ample space for the abalone to thrive.
There is one operational land-based abalone farm in Tasmania.
Mussels
Tasmanian mussel farming is based around the Mytilus galloprovincialis (Tasmanian blue mussel).
The farming of Tasmanian mussels generally begins in a land-based hatchery with billions of mussel larvae that are nurtured under strict quality and environmental conditions. Once reared, the mussels are transported to the open ocean where they mature on suspended ropes below the surface of the water.
There are a handful of small commercial mussel farms in Tasmania, largely operating around the east and south-east coasts. Tasmanian mussels are sold and consumed across Australia and internationally, being celebrated for their high nutritional benefit and low environmental impact.
Seahorses
Tasmanian seahorse farming is primarily based around the Hippocampus abdominalis (Pot-bellied seahorse), but also includes:
Hippocampus reidi (Slender seahorse)
Hippocampus kuda (Common/Yellow/Spotted seahorse)
Hippocampus whitei (White’s seahorse)
Hippocampus barbourin (Barbour’s seahorse).
Tasmanian seahorse farming is undertaken by Seahorse Australia, which is one of the first commercial seahorse farms in the world and was founded in Tasmania in 1998. The facility has supported the development of best practices for seahorse farming, generating a high level of breeding success of 90 per cent, and a reliable supply of seahorses for the aquarium market.
Through its work, Seahorse Australia has helped to educate the public about the plight of wild seahorses, while easing the pressure on wild populations in other regions of the world.