Consultancy Services from RBM Aquaculture

Aquaculture is a growing industry with unlimited potential. Around the world currently 30% of all seafood consumed is aquacultured and with the steady decline in wild stocks due to pollution and overfishing, it is easy to say that aquaculture will
become increasingly important in the very near future. The potential of
aquaculture to supply the bulk of seafood in the not to distant future
is attracting new operators to the industry.

Australia unlike many overseas countries does not have serious
pollution problems and one of the factors that make Australian
produce in demand overseas, is our clean, green reputation.
The Australian Government in all its forms from Local to
State to Federal has policies in place to ensure the
protection of the environment. These policies are
numerous, constantly changing, vary from site
to site and can be strict and confusing to new
farmers. RBM Aquaculture Consultancy Service
offers our expertise and assistance to help meet
all the regulations for those farmers wanting to
enter the industry.

PROPERTY INSPECTIONS

Pre Purchase Inspections. When purchasing properties for the specific purpose of conducting aquaculture. To ascertain the suitability of these properties for aquaculture we can do a Site Inspection and provide preliminary advice to you on the suitability of that site for the species you intend to culture and the farming method you intend to utilize. If purchasing an existing aquaculture facility we will identify production & design faults and any other areas of concern that you should know prior to purchase, plus current production potential.

Aquaculture Production Projections. Additionally, we can create business plans and production projections based on the existing facilities and or potential for expansion or those facilities. These plans and projections are critical if bank finance is involved.

Pre Purchase Proposed Initial Development Concept Proposals. You may wish to purchase a property to conduct aquaculture but are unsure if the aquaculture facility you desire will be permitted on that land. We will draft a design of your facilities and generate site plans and base information on the aquaculture farm. This concept proposal will be submitted to the Council, Fisheries and other relevant bodies for comment and preliminary approval. This fast Initial Project Concept approval gives you the confidence to complete your property purchase or not waste your money.

FARM DESIGN AND LICENSING

Full Consultancy Package
RBM offers a complete farm design and licensing service. In most States you must apply for approval to construct your aquaculture facilities and receive approval before you can start. To receive approval you need to convince the local council & all government departments that your development is not going to have an impact on the environment. You need to design your farm to be commercially viable and environmentally sustainable, this can be a very difficult task if you do not know the answers to all the problems which will occur and what is the preferred remedy. Additionally, you will need to demonstrate that you will be able to culture the species you have applied for in a knowledgeable, safe and commercially viable method. Also, that you are aware of all the pitfalls that may occur in the future and that you have designed your farm so that they will not occur or if they do that you can easy correct them and not impact on the industry, the environment, the community or the wellbeing of your culture species.

A standard farm design and application requires a mass of information generally beyond the knowledge base of the average individual. Even if you do have the knowledge or prepared to learn the time required for the average person to battle the paperwork usually makes it cheaper to hire a consultant and let them have the hassle for you. We have been doing this for over 20 years and can take a very professional attitude to the development and dealing with government departments that progress at their speed not necessarily the speed you may desire. Even a relatively small development in eastern Australia will need 100 - 200 pages of information to be submitted and take at least 3 - 6 months to receive approval. We have been designing farms and systems and working with the industry constantly to develope the best designs. We have learnt from everyone elses mistakes to design farms that are easy to manage, efficient and state of the art. If you want the best aquaculture facility for the least cost then talk to our team of experts.

Full Consultancy Package.    This will include:

* Basic survey of the site to measure areas suitable for aquaculture.
* Sit down with you and plan an aquaculture facility to suit your site, the species under culture, your farming methods and budgets, etc.
* Design the farm to meet all government standards, requirements, regulations, preferences and restrictions.
* Design and peg location of ponds, effluent dams, water storage dams, irrigation areas and purging/packaging/office facilities.
* Computer graphic design of all ponds and plans, etc.
* Design all pond filling lines, drainage lines, air lines and power supply lines.
* Compile a full Development Application to all government departments.

     This could include:
.          Farm Management Procedures and Plans
.          Production Budget.
.          Water Cycle Report.
.          Water Quality Report.

. Water Budget Report.
. Acid Sulphate Soil Report.

.          Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy Report.
.          Soil Report.
.          Full Statement of Environmental Effects.

Once all the above and a mass of other necessary information is compiled we will apply on your behalf to all government departments for approval. We can be the applicant for your development so that we deal direct with all departments. Some of these departments include:

     Local Council.
     Department of Land and Water Conservation.
     EPA.
     National Parks and Wildlife.
     Water Resources.
     Local Drinking Water Authority.
     Department of Urban Affairs and Planning.
     Department of Agriculture.
     State Fisheries Department.
     Any and all others as required.

We submit all information and then respond to all requests for clarification or further information as they arrive. We continue to monitor the proposal and assist all departments with the necessary information for them to determine the environmental effects and to grant approval.

So if you want a state of the art aquaculture facility, utilising best aquaculture practice, approved by all departments then contact us for further information and a free consultation to consider your needs.

Species "MORE INFORMATION"

We can design and offer advice on all freshwater and most salt water species. We have successfully designed and received approvals for Earthen Pond Developments, Intensive Tank Recirculation Facilities, Fish Out Operations, Commercial Fish and
Crayfish Hatcheries plus Trout Farms. We are the state's most used Aquaculture Consultancy Service and we have designed dozens of the states leading aquaculture facilities both Marine and Freshwater..
One of the many reasons so many people use our service is for the ongoing consultancy. Receiving approval to build a farm
may be your greatest hurdle you need to jump but once approval is received construction and production follow. RBM can offer good advice on who to use, where to purchase the right products at the right price, etc. How to solve problems in production, disease, feeding and packaging, etc. Also, we can usually offer you customers or contacts for most aquaculture produce. All valuable information free to our previous consultancy customers. We have been in the industry for over 20 years so have a good idea of what you need. (RBM Aqua Consultancy Service utilizes the full resources of the group including Australian Aquatic Biological P/L and Mid West Yabby & Fish Traders).