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Aquaculture Gladstone

Aquaculture Gladstone is a $12 million multi-species fish hatchery at Lake Awoonga. Aquaculture Gladstone is one of the largest fish stocking programs in Queensland, producing up to 5 million Barramundi, Mangrove Jack and Sea Mullet fingerlings a year at peak production. GAWB and the Aquaculture Gladstone facility are actively driving future growth and development of Queensland’s aquaculture industry.

The Aquaculture Gladstone facility features:

  • Recirculating Aquaculture System – efficient and reduced impact to the environment; improved production numbers to sustain general fisheries permit numbers.
  • Interpretive Display available for tours (see below for more information).
  • Laboratory facilities to support hatchery operations and research opportunities.
  • Improved fish monitoring – to provide ecology data and enhance the success of GAWB restocking programs.
  • Saltwater intake facility located on the Boyne River.

Aquaculture Gladstone releases Barramundi, Mangrove Jack and Sea Mullet fingerlings into Lake Awoonga throughout the year. For more information about the fingerlings and our releases, please contact aquaculturegladstone@gawb.qld.gov.au

 

 

Aquaculture Gladstone Interpretive Display 

The Aquaculture Gladstone Interpretive Display is located front of house at our Aquaculture Gladstone facility. Complete with a live fish exhibit, the interpretive display highlights and educates visitors on the different fish species being bred at the Aquaculture Gladstone fish hatchery.

The interpretive display at Aquaculture Gladstone is also home to two incredibly rare species of Barramundi – White Barramundi and Golden Barramundi.

 

Golden Barramundi 

  • One-in-ten million chance of being born. 
  • Just 20 years ago, there were anecdotal reports of gold Barramundi being in existence, but not tangible evidence to support these claims. 
  • Golden Barramundi are in high demand in Asian sashimi markets for their clean taste and white flesh.
  • To this day, scientists do not understand the genetic basis for gold Barramundi. 

White Barramundi 

  • Also referred  to as ‘Albina Barra’. 
  • Albinism is caused by an alteration in the genes responsible for the production of melanin. 
  • In humans, approximately one in every 100,000 people are born with albinism, in fish, there are no statistics. 
  • Due to their bright white complexion, predators can easily seek white Barramundi out underwater, meaning they rarely reach maturity. 

Tour Bookings and Drop Ins

Aquaculture Gladstone is delighted to offer tours of our Interpretive Display area to groups including school and university students, and community organisations. We are open to tours for groups from any size up to 30 people and tours generally run for about an hour.

To express an interest in a tour, please nominate a time below and provide as much information as possible so we can tailor the tour to your group. Once we receive your information, one of our Aquaculture Gladstone team will be in touch to confirm details.

Please note however, Aquaculture Gladstone is an operational hatchery and we reserve the right to cancel tours at short notice. If this does happen, we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible. Many thanks from the Aquaculture Gladstone team.

Make a Booking

For further inquiry, please send an email to aquaculturegladstone@gawb.qld.gov.au.
Contact us
  • +61 7 4976 3000
    (Mon – Fri, 8.30am to 5.00pm)
  • +61 7 4979 2125
    (After hours and on weekends)
  • PO Box 466,
    Gladstone QLD 4680
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© 2022 Gladstone Area Water Board

The Gladstone Area Water Board proudly acknowledges the Byellee, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Taribelang Bunda people as the Traditional Custodians of the Gladstone region. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the ongoing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the land and water on which we rely.