Figures highlight drop in SA aquaculture value

AUSTRALIA - New figures reveal a dramatic fall in the value of South Australia's aquaculture and gross fisheries production during 2004-2005.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics show the gross value of the state's fisheries production fell by $86 million to $375 million.

But total fisheries production rose by about 39 per cent to 84,000 tonnes.

A research economist, David Galeano, says the fall in production value was largely caused by the lower value and volume of southern bluefin tuna.

"In South Australia, the main export earner there is southern bluefin tuna, it accounts for quite a large percentage and increased competition from mediterranean farms and the higher Australian dollar, definitely caused a lower price received," he said.

Source: abc.net.au