The Australian Barramundi Farmers Association (ABFA) called for an EOI via FRDC for a proposal to evaluate alternative humane harvest methods for farmed barramundi. Specifically, the ABFA identified electro-stunning as a technology of interest to further optimise animal welfare outcomes, while maintaining product quality. The association needs all available information reviewed to evaluate the technology’s potential and if recommended, to help shape the direction of future R&D into the suitability of electro-stunning for the barramundi industry. As a precursor to possible on-farm trials, the ABFA wants to better understand the nature of the technology and learn from international experience in other fish culture sectors. This full proposal addresses the ABFA’s desire for greater insight into; (a) consumer’s attitudes towards fish harvesting and slaughter; (b) the state of uptake of similar technologies by other aquaculture sectors; (c) how to adapt electro-stunning efficiently into a harvest process for a range of barramundi farm sites; (d) whether local or overseas manufacturers/agents can be engaged to co-fund tests of equipment on-farm; and (e) what requirements must be met to make that testing possible and how it would be conducted.
Approval of the EOI was subject to the full application addressing the need for the literature review to include any work on methodology for establishing product quality indicators in addition to welfare indicators (Condition 9).

The Australian Barramundi Industry is growing rapidly in terms of production. Collectively the key players in the industry have plans to heavily invest in production capacity, which is likely to result in more than doubling of production over the next five-ten years. A key lesson learned from other emerging agrifood industries is the critical importance of developing a sustainable market by building demand ahead of the expanding supply base in order to mitigate against price erosion. Too often, new industries are preoccupied with the production challenges of their category and ignore the marketing side. Building new markets usually requires a balanced multi-channel strategy covering supermarkets, specialist retailers, food service and export. Multi-channel marketing is critical to avoid any particular channel becoming flooded. Although Australian barramundi is an iconic fish, it faces strong competition from cheap imports.

Pivotal to the success of an emerging industry in its growth phase, is the need for industry discipline with the necessary governance and funding frameworks and processes in place. Most of all, the industry needs to be guided by a strong and focused strategic plan which has the full and enthusiastic support of the member companies.