G'day all
I just read an article in the Stock and Land newspaper about a farmer on
Flinders Island (Bass Strait, Tas) who is raising CBG's commercially for the
restaurant trade. He collects eggs from nests of wild birds on the smaller
islands and incubates them. When they hatch the chicks are released into
paddocks and fed on grass and grain. When mature they are killed and dressed
and sent to Melbourne where they are sold for $50 each. Apparently they taste
rather good. Occasionally pairs are sold to zoos and private collectors at
around $500/pair.
This is all done with the blessing of the Tas wildlife authorities and the
Flinders Island aborigine community. One concern I have is the provenance of
the table birds. What is to stop someone harvesting wild adults and selling
them to restaurants? It happens with abalone. Otherwise it sounds like a
reasonable practice if it is strictly monitored.
Does anyone know more about this?
Cheers
Steve Clark
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Steve Clark
45 Carmichael Street, Hamilton, Victoria, 3300
www.ansonic.com.au/clarks/sw_birds.htm
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