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Suggested answers

  1. Four different species of carp are found in the list of top ten species produced.
  2. Salmon is the most traded aquaculture product as it is a high value commercial species. As it is mostly consumed in the developed economies of the world, producers receive a high return on their investment.
  3. Hobart has an average monthly temperature of 12.5*C while Shearwater is much cooler at 5.8'C.
  4. 500 000 tonnes traded out of 34.12 million tonnes produced represents 1.5%.
  5. Tassal Ltd. has operations at several sites in south-eastern Tasmania. Hatcheries in the highlands at Wayatinah, sea farms at a number of offshore deepwater sites around the Huon estuary and the Tasman Peninsula, administrative offices in Hobart and processing plants at Huonville and Dover.
  6. Salmon farming depends upon a healthy estuarine environment. The Huon estuary is a clean, cool, marine environment with regular downstream flushing of fresh water.
  7. Salmon farming impacts on the environment through the discharge of wastes into the surrounding marine environment. The main waste sources include uneaten feed, fish wastes, dead fish, pesticides, anti-foulants and other solid wastes such as feed bags, ropes and floats. Organic wastes can exacerbate nutrient build up in the estuary.
  8. Increased pollution and waste discharge from urban development of the Huon valley catchment looms as a potential threat to the salmon industry. Residential expansion into what is now a semi-rural area could lead to an increase in the amount of sewage discharged into the Huon River. Urban run-off carries both solid waste (litter and other detritus) and soluble wastes like detergents.
  9. The management decisions made to reduce the threat posed by water pollution include the introduction of new technologies such as the use of polyester bags to line the sea-cages. This method enables the company to control the quality of the water circulating in the sea-cages, filtering out solid wastes and potentially cleaning polluted water.
  10. Possible arguments for the importation of foreign uncooked salmon products:Cheaper produce for consumers
    Prevent retaliatory bans or embargoes on other Australian produce by Canada

    Some of the arguments against:
    The chance of importing diseases into a-disease free industry
    Any loss of market share means a loss of jobs.

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