This first phase project is an essential first step to scoping the development of improved commercial scale Pipi holding and purging systems in Australia and to develop export markets for the Goolwa PipiCo products.

There will be two components to this project.

The first will be to fully evaluate the efficiency of Goolwa PipiCo’s existing purging system and identify the key factors which impact on the retention of sand in Pipis. This work will be supported by a Flinders University honours student.

The second component of this project will be a critical evaluation of bivalve holding and purging systems in Europe.

Findings from these two activities will be used to recommend a design for purging systems tailored to effective and consistent holding and purging of Pipis from the Goolwa Pipi fishery.

The Goolwa PipiCo board will then consider this recommendation and apply for a second phase project, with grant (e.g. from Regional Development Programs) and shareholder funding to support the development of this new facility. This facility will be a critical step to producing more reliable product for the domestic market and to produce high quality product for export to markets in Europe and Asia.