Rob McCormack discussing yabby farming around the ponds
Rob McCormack discussing yabby farming around the ponds

The NSW Aquaculture Association in partnership with “Yabby Dabba Doo” Yabby Farm and Aquatic Engineering Australia held a yabby farming field day on Saturday the 8th August, 2015. On a perfect, mild and sunny day 34 of us learn about the commercial aquaculture of yabbies (Cherax destructor) in purpose built earthen yabby ponds.

Rob McCormack discussing trap placement in yabby ponds
Rob McCormack discussing trap placement in yabby ponds

The field day started early with a number of traps being placed into some of the ponds. This allowed attendants to see which traps catch the most yabbies over the several hours they were left to soak.

A super yabby trap packed with yabbies
A super yabby trap packed with yabbies

Traps were checked later that day with opera house and box traps being outfished by a super yabby trap.

Some of the yabbies captured
Some of the yabbies captured

Attendants saw commercial earthen ponds, discussed their construction, pond preparation, ground fencing, bird netting, shelters, hides, feeding and production schedules.

Around the yabby ponds
Around the yabby ponds

Attendants saw how to construct purging systems and learned about packaging and marketing.

Rob McCormack discussing yabby markets and sizes
Rob McCormack discussing yabby markets and sizes

Graeme Bowley our Aquaculture Policy Officer from Fisheries NSW addressed attendant and discussed the issues and what’s needed to enter the industry. Graeme was a great hit and the man you will be applying to when applying for an aquaculture permit so a great opportunity to touch base and get all the information needed. Our thanks to Graeme and NSW Fisheries, for their support.

Graeme Bowley our Aquaculture Policy Officer from NSW Fisheries addressing attendants
Graeme Bowley our Aquaculture Policy Officer from NSW Fisheries addressing attendants

Chris Young from Aquatic Engineering Australia addressed attendants. Chris advised on the latest water treatment methods. Aquatic Engineering Australia demonstrated their “Ultra Filtration Mobile Unit.” This state of the art mobile unit was in operation so we could all see how it worked. Chris took very muddy turbid water from a farm dam, run it through the ultra filtration unit and produced clean, clear freshwater. It was a very impressive demonstration.

Chris Young from Aquatic Engineering Australia addressing attendants
Chris Young from Aquatic Engineering Australia addressing attendants

Aquatic Engineering also provided the sausage sizzle and beer after the event. Our thanks to Chris and Aquatic Engineering Australia for their support.

Jamie Williams the owner of “Yabby Dabba Doo” Yabby Farm opened the event and closed the event. Everyone had a great time and we thank Jamie for opening his facilities to the attendants and being the perfect host.

Cheers

Rob