Projects

As a public listed company WKL is interested in developing a diversified group of aquaculture assets.

Warehousing of Western Rock Lobster

WKL will research which aquaculture licence variations are required to allow for the holding of lobster. A holding of a wild caught lobster for 3 or 6 months might have attractive economic value due to price fluctuations in the market. WKL also has an interest in colouring the lobster shells red through feed inputs to add value in the Asian market. Detailed studies of price variations matched with mortality risks will determine viability.

Catching lobster juevenilles (puerulus)

The rock lobster industry in Western Australia has annual production of between $300 and $600 million depending on season outcomes and market prices. This industry wild catch take is from a lobster population that Government surveys estimate at between 0.9% and 6.4% of the available juvenile animals each year that seek a home in the near shore reefs. WKL is investigating the opportunity to collect and grow-out large numbers of juvenile lobster called pueruli should the WA Government grant a licence.

Aquaculture of the Moreton Bay Bug

This crustacean is a by-catch of fishing for other species and receives limited commercial promotion as a seafood product. Previous successful trials of growing this animal at the Jurien Hatchery from eggs indicate a grow-out period of 12 months to 250gms is achievable. A market study for this animal to evaluate its commercial future will be undertaken.