NATURE OF TMFF

Question 1

Economic Activity: Aquaponics

Answer 1

• Aquaculture: is the farming of aquatic organisms

* Hydroponics: Cultivation of plants by placing roots in liquid nutrient solutions rather than soils

Question 2

Economic Enterprise: TMFF

Answer 2

• Aquaponics at TMFF
• The company has invested $1.5 m in pioneering aquaculture tech and applied this to AUST’s first successful Aquaponics (Aquaculture +hydroponics) system
• It re uses nutrient rich wastewater from the fish production facility to grow vegetables and herbs
• It is commercially and environmentally sustainable and responsible.

Question 3

Species

Barramundi is cultured

Answer 3

1. It is a carnivore
2. B’s are native to Australia but exotic to NSW
3. It is also found in other parts of world
4. Often called Sea Bass throughout Asia and Europe
5. Australia Barra has better reputation, better quality

Question 4

Intensive Farming

Demands more equipment and machines

Answer 4

1. The farmed fish are fed with products that have been dried and pressed into pellets in a factory (Aqua feed)
2. This type of farming takes place in highly managed tanks with reg. water management
3. It is land-based ‘closed re-circulating system’/
4. This method is contrast to land based pond farming and ocean or lake cages which are referred to as open systems

Question 5

TMFF= Monoculture enterprise

Only one type of fish is farms

Answer 5

• Monoculture dominates amongst intensive forms of farm fishing
• **TMFF will soon be expanding into other local products such as oysters, crustaceans and selfish as well

Question 6

Production per year for TMFF

Answer 6

1. The 42 acre farm produces 1200 kg of Barramundi
2. And around 1500 heads of lettuce each week
3. TMFF has a 50 ton per annum Barramundi production shed

Question 7

Other Activities at TMFF

Answer 7

1. Nutrients in the fish wastewater is used to grow lettuce, Bok Choy and silver beet
2. TMFF has diversified into edu. And tourism- new visitors center built
3. Tours operate daily at 11 am to 2 pm… schools and group tours
4. Cookabura Restaurant and Function Centre- weddings, take a break on a road trip, something to do on holidays, featured in Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender
5. TMFF has a Work Experience Program allowing TVET students and TAFE Aquaculture Course students to gain experience in the management of Barramundi
6. TMFF has Successfully built a facility in Portland and have on going interest from companies in Asia, Africa, Middle East and USA
7. This means that Australian world developed tech, equipment, and training will become an export item for the aquaculture industry