Evaluation trials were undertaken in two evaporation basins filled with saline groundwater to identify finfish and shellfish that have the potential to survive and grow in these conditions. Test animals were reared in replicate culture units in each of two basins filled with saline groundwater located in the Goulburn±Murray Irrigation District (GMID), southeastern Australia. Salinity in basin 2 (9.5±24.6 p.p.t., mean 16.8 p.p.t.) was significantly higher than in basin 1 (8.8±15.2 p.p.t., mean 11.6 p.p.t.). Some differences were observed between the ionic concentrations in the groundwater and sea water (at 10 p.p.t.) and may have affected growth and survival of some species. Survival and growth for oysters (Crassostrea gigas and Saccostrea glomerata) in the basins were low. Shrimps (Penaeus monodon and Marsupenaeus japonicus) did not survive beyond 3 weeks. Of the eight species of fish stocked into the basins, Salmo salar, Macquaria novemaculeata and Acanthopagrus butcheri survived and grew in both basins. Oncorhynchus mykiss did not survive in the low-salinity basin, whereas Bidyanus bidyanus did not survive in the high-salinity basin. These results indicate that some species of fish in particular can be cultured in saline groundwaters within the GMID.

The concept of integrating aquaculture with irrigated farming systems was evaluated in three projects in the Goulburn–Murray Irrigation District (GMID) in south‐eastern Australia. (1) Semi‐intensive cage culture trials using silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell), were undertaken in a range of irrigated farming systems: irrigation supply channels; groundwater supplies; and on‐farm storage dams. Survival and growth of fish under these conditions were comparable to fish reared in conventional aquaculture ponds. However, poor water quality at some sites reduced survival and growth. (2) A study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of the cage culture of silver perch and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in three irrigation water storage reservoirs. Conditions within each reservoir, particularly water quality, wind and wave action, and cage fouling, varied considerably, and influenced fish growth and survival. (3) Mariculture trials were undertaken in two saline groundwater evaporation basins, which were part of an integrated agriforestry and salt reclamation system. The species tested included two oyster, two prawn and nine fish species. Some species exhibited exceptional survival and growth rates under trial conditions. These projects indicate that the concept of integrating aquaculture with existing irrigated farming systems has the potential to enhance productivity, water use efficiency and overall environmental sustainability in the GMID.