Barron River Redclaw Featured in the Cairns Post: A Comeback After Cyclone Jasper
I am very grateful to see Barron River Redclaw feature in today’s Cairns Post under the fitting headline, “Claw-some comeback.”
The article shares part of our journey rebuilding the farm after Cyclone Jasper caused extensive damage in December 2023. The cyclone destroyed our remaining barramundi stock and affected many parts of the property. It has been one of the most difficult periods our family and business have faced.
However, the disaster also gave us an opportunity to reassess the future of the farm. We decided to focus more strongly on Australian Redclaw crayfish, a species well suited to the climate and growing conditions of Far North Queensland.
Today, Barron River Redclaw operates 13 aquaculture ponds, with up to 10,000 juvenile Redclaw placed into each pond for grow-out. The Redclaw usually take about six months to reach harvest size. We currently supply local customers, restaurants, wholesalers and other members of the community.
Demand for high-quality Australian Redclaw continues to exceed available supply. There are only a small number of active Redclaw farmers in Far North Queensland, while interest from Australian and international buyers continues to grow.
Our farm has received so many overseas enquiries and orders for significant quantities of Redclaw. However, our first priority is to continue serving local and Australian customers while growing the farm in a responsible and sustainable way.
Sustainable Redclaw Farming in Far North Queensland
Sustainability is central to how we operate Barron River Redclaw.
We grow our Redclaw without antibiotics or unnecessary chemicals. We use grain-based feed that contains no fishmeal or animal products. Our farm electricity is produced through an off-grid solar power system with battery storage and generator backup.
We also reuse farm water on the property, repurpose discarded nursery pots as Redclaw habitat and use recyclable packaging wherever possible. I am also proud that Barron River Redclaw is participating in the Happy Fish Project. This sustainable seafood program helps consumers better understand where their seafood comes from and how it is produced.
Sharing the Lessons We Have Learned
My book, Crayfish Cashflow, documents the extraordinary steps we took to survive, rebuild and move forward. It also shares the practical wisdom gained through years of Redclaw farming, aquaculture, setbacks, mistakes and hard-earned experience. The book explores the opportunities, risks and realities of Redclaw farming. It helps readers assess their land, water, budget, local regulations, production options and potential markets before they invest. It also covers lessons about sustainable production, testing demand, selecting a suitable farming system and developing several possible income streams.
By sharing both our successes and the things that did not go as planned, I hope others can benefit from our experience, avoid costly mistakes and make better decisions with their own time and money. Knowledge becomes much more valuable when it is shared and used to help others succeed. You can learn more about the book and audiobook here:
Crayfish Cashflow: https://book.australianredclaw.com/
Thank You for Supporting Our Comeback
I sincerely thank Cairns Post journalist Rosalee Chapman for the redclaw feature story about the farm and taking the time to share our story. I also thank the Cairns Post for
recognising the work being done by small aquaculture producers in Far North Queensland.
Most importantly, I thank every person who has supported our family, our farm and our recovery following Cyclone Jasper. Every Redclaw purchase, message of encouragement, farm visit, referral and social media share has helped us move forward. Rebuilding has not been easy, but the support of our customers, friends, volunteers and wider community has made a real difference.
This article is more than a story about Redclaw. For me, it is a reminder that recovery is possible when we remain hopeful, adapt to difficult circumstances, have faith and continue taking one step at a time. We are thankful for how far we have come, and we are excited about the future of Australian Redclaw aquaculture.
