Issue |
Aquat. Living Resour.
Volume 27, Number 3-4, July-December 2014
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 167 - 175 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/alr/2014016 | |
Published online | 15 January 2015 |
Socio-economic determinants for industry development: the case of Australia’s Sydney rock oyster industry
1
School of Economics and Finance, Queensland University of
Technology, GPO Box
2434, Brisbane,
QLD
4001,
Australia
2
CSIRO, Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship, EcoSciences Precinct, PO
Box 2583, Brisbane,
QLD
4001,
Australia
a Corresponding author: p.schrobback@gmail.com
Received: 6 November 2014
Accepted: 8 December 2014
Socio-economic characteristics such as age, gender, educational attainment, employment status, and income contain vital information about how an industry may respond to changing circumstances, and hence are of importance to decision makers. While some socio-economic studies exist, relatively little attention has been given to fishery and aquaculture industries in regards to their socio-economic profiles and their role in the development prospects of these industries. In this study, by way of example, we focus on Australia’s Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata) (SRO) industry. The aim of this study was identify the socio-economic profile of the SRO industry and to illustrate the value of such information for an industry management assessment. The SRO industry has experienced a major decrease in production volume since the late 1970 and continues to be affected by prevailing diseases and increasing market competition from Australia’s Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) industry. It is likely that socio-economic aspects have influenced this development within the SRO industry. The socio-economic profile was developed using data from a SRO industry farm survey which was undertaken in 2012. Findings suggested that this industry is characterised by a mature aged oyster farmer population and a part-time oyster farming approach. These characteristics may affect the farmers’ ability to drive innovation and growth. The results also suggested that there may be potential industry entry barriers present in the SRO industry which may prevent younger people taking up oyster farming. Given the results, the study concluded that the current socio-economic profile of the industry has likely contributed to the present economic status quo of the industry.
Key words: Socio-economic profile / demographics / industry development / aquaculture / Sydney rock oyster industry / Saccostrea glomerata
© EDP Sciences, IFREMER, IRD 2015
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