FISHING industry stalwart Peter Dundas-Smith has high hopes that Port Stephens will produce the biggest breakthrough since farm-raised salmon.
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The Atlantic salmon industry continues to produce more fish than any form of aquaculture but yellowtail kingfish has the potential to become the white-flesh equivalent.
The Port Stephens Fisheries Research Institute at Taylors Beach is part of a joint project with Adelaide to develop better farming methods for the species.
“We have some top scientists here [in Port Stephens] who are respected on the world stage, working on this,” Mr Dundas-Smith said.
The Nelson Bay man was this year named a member of the order of Australia for his work in the fishing industry and oversees the yellowtail kingfish program as chairman of the Australian Seafood Cooperative Research Centre.
Fingerlings are produced from breading stock at the Taylors Beach facility. Researchers aim to determine the best genetics and nutrition to produce yellowtail kingfish.
South Australian-based Clean Seas Tuna has already trebled production in the past three years based on early findings.
Yellowtail production is expected to reach 6,000 tonnes, with a farm gate value of $90 million.
The program will soon be extended to include an ocean trial. Semi-mature yellowtail kingfish will be grown out to market weight off Hawks Nest in cages within a 20 hectare lease.
