February 1, 2012

Australian barramundi threatened by cheaper Asian imports

Imported barramundi from South East Asia proves to be a potent threat to Australian aquaculture industry.

Up to 8,000 tonnes of barramundi is imported from Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar each year where seafood farming regulations are far less stringent.

Marty Phillips of the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association believes that, for the public, being able to tell the difference between local and imported fish is key to supporting home-grown product.

"We import twice the amount we grow," Phillips said. "It is tough because of course the imported fish is much cheaper.

"There are a lot more environmental regulations here but that's reflected in the quality."

His comments are backed by Kevin Walsh of Pantacchini's Wholesale Seafood in Cairns, who said the locally produced fish was far superior but without imported product, he would not be able to keep up with demand.

The aquaculture industry has called for the name ''barramundi'' to be reserved for only the Australian fish, in the same way that Champagne has been reserved for only French champagne.

However, regulators have not taken up the call, citing international standards and the Australian Government's lack of support for similar moves in other countries.

In the Northern Territory, statutory regulation requires that country of origin for food products be taken all the way to the restaurant menu while in Queensland this is only required for point of sale labelling in retail stores and supermarkets.

Barramundi farmed in Asia is called Asian sea Bass until it reaches Australian shores when it is required to be called barramundi because it is the same species and ends up competing with the local product.