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Australian Farmed Abalone Industry The farming of abalone has risen rapidly since 1992, to nearly 20 000 tonnes globally in 2004. While Australia produces nearly half of the world’s wild-caught abalone (worth some $A200 million in 2004), it contributes less than four per cent of farmed abalone.The abalone aquaculture industry is poised to grow substantially over the next five years, and has the potential to make a significant contribution to Australia's export earnings and regional employment. Advances in abalone domestication and production techniques have driven a sharp rise in Australian production since 2002. Farms in Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia are nearing their early production targets, with most aiming for a harvest of 50-150 tonnes a year. Cultured abalone reared using aquaculture techniques has significant advantages as growers are not subject to size or quota restrictions, therefore businesses can expand to meet market needs without putting pressure on wild stocks. Information on farmed abalone was taken from www.fish.wa.gov.au and |
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