Newcastle Herald: 20,000 “Ravenous” Kingfish Escape and Hit Marine Park

Rough seas allowed thousands of predatory kingfish to escape a fish farm north of Newcastle in Australia. Officials worry about the escapees destroying wild fish, especially those in a nearby marine park. “The future of the controversial joint NSW government and Tasmania-based Huon Aquaculture project, which is 18 months into a five-year research trial, is under a cloud following the loss of almost half its stock with a retail value of more than $2 million,” report Donna Page and Sam Norris for the Newcastle Herald. “Conservation groups and local tourism operators described the multimillion-dollar project as a ‘disaster’ threatening the pristine marine park's delicate ecosystem.” Aquaculture staff had previously assured nearby communities that the pens could withstand high winds and storm swells, and now suggest that the escape presents no biosecurity risks to local fish stocks. The farmed fish are accustomed to regular feedings, and recreation and commercial fishermen quickly headed to the area and caught about 3000 kingfish though a ban has since been put in place. Environmental officials will review the incident and make recommendations. – YaleGlobal