Abalone hybrid to improve aqua industry

The abalone industry may in future not be limited to just six frenetic weeks every year. A more productive industry is promised with the development of a hybrid species, proven to grow up to thirty percent faster than the commercial varieties now being farmed.

A hybrid between Greenlip and Brownlip abalone species has been developed by Bayside Pty Ltd and Mr Mark Allsopp, a PhD student at Curtin University of Technology’s Muresk Institute. The growth rates of this particular hybrid species have been proven to be significantly better than the current commercial species cultivated on the south coast of Australia.

Professor Graeme Robertson, Director of Muresk said Mr Allsopp’s research provides valuable data on the significantly greater levels of growth in the hybrid abalone.

“The increased growth rates of the new hybrid species will have a significant impact on reducing production costs, and increasing the potential for industry growth in WA,” Professor Roberston said.

Mr Allsopp is now working with Cervantes Seafood Limited to take the hybrid breeding program to another level by developing a hybrid abalone specifically bred for west coast cultivation. The program will incorporate the cross breeding of Greenlip and scalaris abalone, a fast growing west coast species.

Mr Allsopp believes the potential of the new west coast hybrid abalone is significant. Cervantes Seafood Limited plans to commercialise the program by mid 2008.

“With the increased production of hybrids we are able to reduce our production costs, due to superior growth rates. These advantages will be further enhanced with the development of a west coast abalone species with the warmer culture environment adding to faster growth rates”, Mr Allsopp said.

Major markets for abalone include China, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore with a significantly smaller boutique market in Europe. The cost of buying abalone can be over $100 per kilo in these markets, however farmers receive on average $45 per kilo to supply to market.

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Abalone hybrid to improve aqua industry