21 Jul 2009

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FARM VISIT: Tiger Prawn farm, Woongoolba, Australia

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The farm “Gold Coast Tiger Prawns”, part of “Gold Coast Marine Aquaculture” is located near the mouth of the Logan River in Woongoolba, one hour from Brisbane. The company is owned and operated by the Herbst family who have lived and farmed in the area since their forefathers settled here in 1863.

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  • Nick Kempe (left) is an aquaculture specialist and works closely with the farm. Nick Moore (right) is General Manager of Gold Coast Tiger Prawns.
    Nick Kempe (left) is an aquaculture specialist and works closely with the farm. Nick Moore (right) is General Manager of Gold Coast Tiger Prawns.
  • The farm is fully integrated, meaning that it produces its own breeding stock. This is the pond where the breeding stock mate and produce the eggs. There are four of these ponds for this purpose.
    The farm is fully integrated, meaning that it produces its own breeding stock. This is the pond where the breeding stock mate and produce the eggs. There are four of these ponds for this purpose.
  • Males and females are selected and marked for breeding. Around 1 million larvae are selected for each pond of which 300 to 500,000 develop into juveniles.
    Males and females are selected and marked for breeding. Around 1 million larvae are selected for each pond of which 300 to 500,000 develop into juveniles.
  • The juveniles are carried over from the hatchery to these blue tanks. Here they stay 25-28 days before they are brought into the big ponds where they stay 4-6 months to grow to their final weight (35 grams). The feed conversion rate lies between 1.3 and 1.8.
    The juveniles are carried over from the hatchery to these blue tanks. Here they stay 25-28 days before they are brought into the big ponds where they stay 4-6 months to grow to their final weight (35 grams). The feed conversion rate lies between 1.3 and 1.8.
  • The farm is 50 hectares including 47 ponds. The annual harvest is 400 tonnes. This is around 10% of the total tiger prawn production in Australia.
    The farm is 50 hectares including 47 ponds. The annual harvest is 400 tonnes. This is around 10% of the total tiger prawn production in Australia.
  • These machines are used in the water to keep the water flowing in the pond. This prevents feed and manure waste from building up at the bottom of the pond.
    These machines are used in the water to keep the water flowing in the pond. This prevents feed and manure waste from building up at the bottom of the pond.
  • The ponds at the farm are currently cleaned and inspected to get ready for the new season, which will start in August.
    The ponds at the farm are currently cleaned and inspected to get ready for the new season, which will start in August.
  • After harvest, the prawns are cooked, cooled and eventually freezed. The prawns are harvested from February to April, the prawns are then sold to retail, wholesale, public or go for export (mainly Japan). The farm has been awarded for the high quality and taste of the prawns. Some of the awards include: Beenleigh Business Champion of Champions Award and 11 golden medals at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.
    After harvest, the prawns are cooked, cooled and eventually freezed. The prawns are harvested from February to April, the prawns are then sold to retail, wholesale, public or go for export (mainly Japan). The farm has been awarded for the high quality and taste of the prawns. Some of the awards include: Beenleigh Business Champion of Champions Award and 11 golden medals at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.
  • Nick Kempe (left) is an aquaculture specialist and works closely with the farm. Nick Moore (right) is General Manager of Gold Coast Tiger Prawns.
  • The farm is fully integrated, meaning that it produces its own breeding stock. This is the pond where the breeding stock mate and produce the eggs. There are four of these ponds for this purpose.
  • Males and females are selected and marked for breeding. Around 1 million larvae are selected for each pond of which 300 to 500,000 develop into juveniles.
  • The juveniles are carried over from the hatchery to these blue tanks. Here they stay 25-28 days before they are brought into the big ponds where they stay 4-6 months to grow to their final weight (35 grams). The feed conversion rate lies between 1.3 and 1.8.
  • The farm is 50 hectares including 47 ponds. The annual harvest is 400 tonnes. This is around 10% of the total tiger prawn production in Australia.
  • These machines are used in the water to keep the water flowing in the pond. This prevents feed and manure waste from building up at the bottom of the pond.
  • The ponds at the farm are currently cleaned and inspected to get ready for the new season, which will start in August.
  • After harvest, the prawns are cooked, cooled and eventually freezed. The prawns are harvested from February to April, the prawns are then sold to retail, wholesale, public or go for export (mainly Japan). The farm has been awarded for the high quality and taste of the prawns. Some of the awards include: Beenleigh Business Champion of Champions Award and 11 golden medals at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.
by Editor AllAboutFeed 21 Jul 2009 last update:6 Aug 2012