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CSIRO scientists have found a species of fish to add to Australian aquaculture and, hopefully, Aussie diets. Trachinotus anak, known as the pompano, oyster pompano, giant oystercracker or dart, is a white-flesh fish endemic to northern Australia, and CSIRO’s top choice for farming.

There is a growing demand for seafood in Australia, and currently, imports fill that need. According to the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, approximately 62 per cent of seafood Aussies consume is imported. CSIRO aims to reduce that figure, and a pompano industry could be a sustainable step, with the potential to bring over $1 billion to the economy.

CSIRO researcher, Pollyanna Hilder, says, “The pompano is a robust, sociable fish endemic to northern Australia that grows really quickly and tastes great, making it an ideal candidate for adapting to our aquaculture environments.” 

She continues, “We’re bringing a new species to Australian plates to give consumers more options, while opening up new export opportunities to strengthen Australia’s white-flesh fish industry.” 

In addition to being suited to a variety of Australian environments, other pompano species are farmed internationally. Adapting overseas technology and methods may speed up the development of a pompano industry within Australia.

Beyond economics, CSIRO aims to create a sustainable industry, while maintaining the welfare of the animals. CSIRO scientists state future industries will have health care plans to promote fish welfare.

Regarding sustainability, CSIRO scientists hope to have circular waste management practices in place. This includes using the entire fish, which Australian chefs such as Josh Niland and Andy Allen are experimenting with.

Pollyanna says, “We’re applying innovative circular economy approaches designed around welfare that make use of resources end-to-end – from capturing value from production processes, through to utilising the whole fish at the consumer end.” She continued, “For example, fish waste is high in phosphorous and nitrogen nutrients and can be turned into valuable byproducts such as fertiliser capsules.”

CSIRO plans to have the pompano commercially available as early as 2027.

Mathieson Whittaker is an outstanding participant in Double Helix’s Young STEM Journalism Bootcamp. This year, Double Helix partnered with Letterly to launch the inaugural 4-week program, inviting students aged 8 to 18 to write science news articles on the topics that matter to them! This article went through multiple rounds of editing with 1-to-1 feedback from Letterly’s highly qualified and passionate writing coaches. Double Helix editors provided a final edit for accuracy and style.