Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC)

Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Government

The Centre was the first dedicated multi-functional aquaculture research facility to be built in Australia and occupies 13ha at Woorim, on the surf side of Bribie Island. It plays a significant role in technological development and extension to the aquaculture industry in tropical and subtropical Queensland, as well as fisheries management and aquatic ecological research.

Primary activities include:

  • R&D to innovate and accelerate growth of Queensland aquaculture
  • inland and estuarine fisheries enhancement and habitat restoration
  • contract research and consultation for industry
  • encouraging development of local industries that support aquaculture
  • developing and demonstrating new and existing technologies to prospective aquaculture enterprises.

Bribie Island Research Centre also has strong collaborative links with CSIRO, several universities, and a number of industry partners.

Website
https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/contact/offices/stations-facilities/bribie-island
Organisation type
  • Queensland Government – Agency
Number of research staff
Up to 20 research staff
Address
144 North Street, Woorim QLD 4507

Strengths and capabilities

  • Fish and crustacean husbandry
  • Assessment and development of new species for commercial aquaculture production
  • Bioremediation of aquaculture waste water
  • Management of biofouling and harmful algae in ponds
  • Energy efficiency of pond aeration
  • Fisheries stock assessment and monitoring
  • Inland and estuarine fisheries enhancement, monitoring and habitat restoration.

Facilities and major equipment

  • Seawater supply, filtration and aeration systems
  • Freshwater and seawater recirculating systems
  • Energy efficient water heating and chilling systems
  • Four 3.2ML ponds and four 300KL ponds
  • Fish, molluscan and crustacean hatchery facilities
  • Sample preparation laboratory
  • Controlled environment and wet laboratories
  • Algal culture and feed preparation laboratories
  • Pond scale bioremediation filtration systems
  • Advanced building management and monitoring system
  • Estuarine and freshwater electrofishing equipment.

Achievements of the centre

  • World-first commercial-scale hatchery production of two species of tropical rock oyster
  • Development of a polychaete-assisted sand filtration system for aquaculture ponds.

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

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