Aquaculture Jobs And Possible Expansion In SA, Tas.

The Fish eNews fortnightly newsletter produced by Austasia Aquaculture is reporting on job opportunities in Whyalla and on developments in producing southern bluefin Tuna fingerlings and baby snapper.

Movement at Clean Seas Tuna Limited

Clean Seas shareholders have voted to buy Clean Seas Aquaculture Growout from Australian Tuna Fisheries.

There’s a good chance the company will make a breakthrough and start producing southern bluefin tuna fingerlings early in 2008, following a ‘natural’ spawning event after Christmas.

US-based international food company Simplot has taken a shareholding in Clean Seas Tuna whose share price reached $2.00 on 20 November 2007. Shareholders have approved a $33 million capital raising to enable the company to expand farmed fish production.

Clean Seas won the 2007 NAB Export Award in the 10th Premier’s Food Awards in November.

Company Working With US Breeder

Clean Seas has made a research commitment with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, to work towards closure of the southern bluefin tuna life cycle. The Commission has successfully bred tuna in captivity and has held yellowfin tuna broodstock for more than 10 years on the Pacific coast of Panama. While larvae have been raised to fingerlings, the operation is not commercial. Researchers will visit each body’s facilities and share ideas on technology.

Clean Seas Expansion On Hold Due To Lack Of Workers

Clean Seas chairman Hagen Stehr advises the company has put on hold plans for major expansion because of a shortage of marina facilities and workers in Whyalla, though there are regular local advertisements for workers.

Applicants don’t need fishing or aquaculture experiences as they’ll be trained. The company needs people who are looking for a long-term career in aquaculture and who have work ethics. Training will be provided by the Australian Fisheries Academy in Adelaide.

Red Snapper Farm In Tasmania

Clean Marine Aquaculture wishes to develop Australia’s first closed-loop recirculation system, to produce 24,00 baby snapper each week. The company is to launch a development application with the George Town Council.

If approved, the $13 million facility will be built at the old sewage treatment plant between George Town and Low Head. It’s hoped the site will be cleared in January and construction commenced in February. Building could be completed by August.