Molluscs/Mussels - Introduction

The Australian mussel aquaculture industry is based on the production of the blue mussel (Genus mytilus).

A filter-feeder, the blue mussel is found in the temperate waters of the northern and southern hemispheres (VAC 1999). In Australia, it is found along the southern coast of Australia from Cape Hawke on the east coast to Fremantle on the west coast, including the waters around Tasmania.

Farming Production

Mussels were traditionally harvested from the wild by dredging or diving. However, growing environmental concerns during the 1980s led to dredging being phased out and aquaculture of mussels became the main source of production.

The blue mussel is currently grown in all Australian states except Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia are the largest producers in 2001-02, Victoria produced 1580 tonnes of mussels valued at $3.7 million at the farm gate, and Western Australia produced 989 tonnes valued at $2.8 million.

The sites currently available for shellfish farming in Victoria consist of three areas: around 565 hectares on the west coast of Port Phillip Bay (Clifton Springs and Grassy Point), 17 hectares on the east coast of Port Phillip Bay, and approximately 400 hectares at Flinders in Westernport Bay.

In Western Australia, mussel farms are found in Cockburn Sound and Warnbro Sound on the west coast as well as in Albany Harbour and King George Sound on the south coast. Additional area has been negotiated in the Southern Flats area of Cockburn Sound to give Cockburn Sound mussel farmers more secure access to productive growing areas.

In Tasmania, mussels are produced on the east and south east coasts (DPIWE 2001). Production in 2001-02 was 217 tonnes valued at around $760 000 at the farm gate.

In South Australia, commercial mussel farms operate in Boston Bay and Proper Bay (near Port Lincoln) as well as on Kangaroo Island. Pilot projects are being undertaken west of Ceduna as well as in Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent (PIRSA 1999; 2000). South Australian production in 2001-02 was 171 tonnes, valued at around $370 000.


In New South Wales, single firms operating on annually renewable research permits were established in Jervis Bay and Twofold Bay in 1976, but only the farm at Twofold Bay has consistently produced significant quantities of marketable mussels over recent years.

Overall, Australian production of farmed mussels has risen from only 770 tonnes in 1991-92 to around 3000 tonnes in 2000-01, the latter valued at $8.0 million at the farm gate.

The saucer scallop fishery has been a major component of multi-species fisheries in Queensland. However, annual landings have fluctuated dramatically Saucer scallop is widely recognised as the world’s finest scallop meat and attracts landed prices of more than $20 per kilogram on domestic markets, and significantly more in overseas markets. The majority of scallop production is destined for export to Asia, Europe and the US. Overseas experiences have shown that sea ranching of scallops could not only reduce the landing fluctuation but also increase production by more than 10 times. In Australia, to offset the variable catches of saucer scallops resulting from the wild fishery, sea ranching of saucer scallops is currently being trialled by industry in Queensland using hatchery-produced juvenile.

One of the key issues to evaluate the success of the sea ranching venture is to be able to identify hatchery produced stock. Managers can then determine the contribution of hatchery stock to the final harvest as well as having the ability to monitor survival and dispersal. Identification of hatchery seed is also essential to determine the optimal size of scallops and time for deployment to the seabed. However, the choice of identification method is restricted by the cost, ease of use, stability and precision.  Several potential chemical markers, which are harmless to the animals and safe for human consumption, are currently being trialled and evaluated.

( REF. Australian Aquaculture. Industry profiles for selected species)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

CLICK HERE FOR RELEVANT ASSOCIATIONS