Self-cleaning compartmentalised aquaculture system

Researchers at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries' Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre have designed a new system for housing cannibalistic crustaceans such as crabs, clawed lobsters and crayfish.

The Self-cleaning Compartmentalised Aquaculture system pumps in new water and removes effluent water from compartments housing individual animals.

Improvement to current technology

The system overcomes many limitations of other designs used for commercial and research husbandry of crustaceans. Benefits include:

• holds animals at high densities under controlled conditions, with minimal labour and maintenance
• readily accessible compartments for observation, feeding and cleaning
• automated water flow and waste removal
• reduced blockage problems, which minimises animal losses.

Market opportunities

Aquaculture of high-value benthic, cannibalistic crustaceans, such as crabs and some lobster and crayfish species, is increasingly a focus for industry development. The Self-cleaning Compartmentalised Aquaculture system has potential use in commercial production or holding facilities where the animals need to be held separately, such as intensive crab grow out facilities and research projects.

Over the past five years, the number of crab farms in Australia has increased. An opportunity exists to develop a standard system for intensive farming of crabs.

International commercialisation could generate greater commercial returns due to the much larger potential market.

Intellectual property

A provisional patent has been filed in Australia for the technology.

DPI&F is seeking a licensed commercial partner to fully develop, manufacture and market the Self-cleaning Compartmentalised Aquaculture system in Australia and overseas.

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Self-cleaning compartmentalised aquaculture system