Walkamin Research Station
(incorporating the freshwater fisheries and aquaculture centre)

Address: Kennedy Highway, C/O Post Office, Walkamin, QLD 4872
Phone: +61 7 40929929
Fax:  +61 7 40933903

Background

The Walkamin Research Station has been serving the State since 1959. Initially established to support R & D for irrigated agriculture on non-tobacco soils within the Mareeba Dimbulah Irrigation Area, the centre, with its several specialist facilities, is highly regarded for its contributions to freshwater aquaculture, fisheries and habitat management. Centre researchers have a record of success in defining best practice aquaculture methods for Barramundi and Redclaw Crayfish, with expertise now being applied to research and development of eels, sleepy cod and golden perch. Development of techniques for breeding native fish, and transfer of these techniques to industry, has also been an area of success at this facility.

Primary activities

• Climate represents both subtropical and dry tropics with low frost incidence
• The largest freshwater fishery research facility in tropical Australia
• Located in centre of major agricultural area
• Horticultural activity of area is increasing in diversity and quantity
• Soil types suitable for complete range of agricultural crops
• Large water allocation for aquaculture and agriculture uses
• Production of temperate, tropical and subtropical fruit and vegetable crops is possible
• Ample capacity for expansion in terms of more ponds and buildings
• Security of tenure for long term activities
• Secure site for activities requiring restricted access or limited exposure

Geography

Walkamin Research Station is located on the Atherton Tablelands midway between Atherton and Mareeba on the Kennedy Highway. Based approximately 70km west of Cairns in far north Queensland, the station is ideally located to accommodate both tropical and sub-tropical species of fish and crops. The eastern boundary of the property fronts on to the Kennedy Highway and has exposure to the 5000 vehicles that pass by each day.

Climate

Climatic conditions experienced are predominated by a marked wet and dry season climate. Annual rainfall is 1036mm, three-quarters of which falls in the November to March period.

Achievements  

• Partner in development of barramundi and redclaw aquaculture industries.
• Release to industry of selectively bred, faster growing redclaw.
• Development of new production and growing systems in freshwater aquaculture adopted state wide.
• Development of pond management techniques for redclaw crayfish and the comparison of diets, strains and densities of barramundi, golden perch and eels.
• Forefront in servicing the needs of recreational anglers through research on the production of fingerlings for stocking impoundments. These impoundments extending from this area south to Gladstone and west to Mt Isa have been stocked with Walkamin bred fish.
• The introduction of a barrier net to prevent the barramundi population escaping from Lake Tinaroo when the dam overflows has been overseen from this facility.
• Habitat requirements of native fish - the migratory and spawning requirements of sooty grunter in the Tully has utilised resources from this facility including office accommodation, laboratory space and ponds at the station.
• Pond facilities have been utilised to hold stocks of endangered species such as the Lake Eacham rainbow fish.
• Use as a base for field studies (fresh water ecology, water quality and aquatic resource inventories) in Cape York Peninsula, Atherton Tablelands and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
• Staff have developed high levels skills in all aspects of fisheries study design and implementation including electrofishing techniques, sampling techniques, aquatic fauna and flora sampling and identification, and local knowledge of the region.

Last updated 13 August 2004