Worm Turns As Fishing-bait Farm Set To Open

Newcastle Herald

Thursday June 13, 2002

AUSTRALIA'S first fishing-bait worm farm, at Eraring, will be opened tomorrow.

Aquabait Marine will grow worms in ponds filled with water recycled from cooling operations at Eraring Power Station.

The worms will be grown primarily to provide frozen bait for the recreational fishing industry.

Minister Assisting the Premier on Hunter Development Richard Face will officially launch the venture at a ceremony tomorrow morning.

The worms being grown are from the species scientifically known as Onuphidae, commonly known as beachworms.

While they can grow up to one metre long in the wild, Aquabait will grow them to about 30cm so they can be easily threaded onto fishing hooks.

They will last up to six months in a freezer before use.