Prevention of muddy taints in farmed barramundi

Abstract

Research work within this project has generated a wealth of new information on muddy taints occurring in freshwater barramundi farmed in open-culture ponds in North Queensland. Extensive monitoring of ponds for taint presence illustrated that taint events were highly farm specific and dependent on environmental conditions. It was clear that water quality is a critical factor and where intake water has a high nutrient load, algal blooms flourished usually with a concomitant taint event. There was a seasonal pattern of incidence showing a trend of low incidence during winter months, more frequent incidence as temperature increased with greater taint intensity. Heavy rainfall events did not appear to affect occurrence of taint.