Land Based Tuna Breeding Promises Export Boostff

An Australian company planning to land-based breeding of southern bluefin tuna says it is close to a breakthrough, possibly within months.

Cleanseas Tuna in South Australia says its fish are now ready for reproduction in a carefully-controlled artificial environment.

The conditions are designed to mimic wild migration conditions for tuna.

Hatchery manager Morten Deichmann is optimistic. ”As a scientist and as a fish farmer this is probably the most exciting thing in the world right now,” he said.

Cleanseas chairman Hagen Stehr says human control of tuna from conception to harvest would be a big step. ”We are definitely on the brink of revolutionizing the industry,” he said.

The company is looking to lucrative markets in Japan and elsewhere in Asia.

“It will be a very big thing not only for South Australia but indeed Australia,” Mr. Stehr said.

Greens warn of risks

Environmentalists are warning of a need for tight controls as the aquaculture industry expands.

SA Greens MP Mark Parnell says there will be benefits but also areas to watch closely. “It’s a two-edged sword. If we can take the pressure off wild fish stocks by breeding them, that's a good thing,” he said. “But if it means that we fill our coast with sea cages and we end up with more pollution of the sea floor, then that will be a bad thing.”

Cleanseas says it has the highest accreditation possible and there will be environmental safeguards.