The gross value of fisheries production in Australia increased by 2 percent to A$2.18 billion in 2006-07 despite a 2 percent decline in volume, according to ABARE Australian Fisheries Statistics.

The increase is driven by the continued strong growth in production of Tasmanian farmed salmonid, according to ABARE's acting Executive Director, Karen Schneider.

This helps make up for a decrease in the production value of other key species such as prawns, tuna, abalone and scallops, Schneider added.

The value of Australian farmed salmonid production has nearly doubled, increasing from A$147 million in 2004-05 to A$281 million in 2006-07. Almost all of this growth occurred in Tasmania. The combined value of prawn, tuna, abalone and scallop production fell by A$89 million during the same period.

In 2006-07, the total value of Australian exports fell by 3 per cent, decreasing A$53 million to A$1.49 billion. Rock lobster (A$463 million) was Australia's most valuable fisheries export product, followed by pearls (A$314 million), abalone (A$246 million) and tuna (A$94.6 million).

Export performance had been negatively affected by the appreciation of the Australian dollar, as well as by rising fuel prices, Schneider said.

Hong Kong remained Australia's main export market for fisheries products in 2006-07 at A$642 million, ahead of Japan (A$374 million) and the United States ($151 million).

A$1=US$0.96 as of June 27