Transitioning cobia aquaculture research and development in Queensland to industry

Abstract

This report details a collaboration between the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and Rocky Point Aquaculture Pty Ltd (RPA), who sought to transition cobia (Rachycentron canadum) aquaculture research, development, and extension (RD&E) to commercial production. RPA successfully adopted cobia breeding and fingerling production processes across 2019-2021, producing commercial volumes of fingerlings (~65,000 inds). Fundamental to this success were refinements made to larval rearing systems including taurine-enriched live feeds, microalgae, water flow fields, and tank photic condition. Tank studies on harvestable-sized cobia conducted at DAF’s Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) showed adjustments in feeding frequency could reduce feed input without affecting growth performance. Fingerling production gains of more than 200% throughout this project have heralded the revitalisation and expansion of the cobia sector and validated a pivotal business decision by RPA to invest in finfish aquaculture at their operations in southeast Queensland. A cobia aquaculture information webpage was developed within the Queensland Government website (Business Queensland) to provide business owners or intenders key information on cobia aquaculture, including links to current and historical reports that detail enabling strategies for the production of cobia at commercial scale.