The Western Australian (WA) Government announced an investment of $8.5 million over the next four years to boost aquaculture research and development across the State, including upgrades to facilities in Broome, Pemberton, and Albany.
The funds will be used to carry out key projects identified in WA’s Aquaculture Development Plan.
The Aquaculture Development Plan highlights possibilities for industry and the State Government to work together on initiatives that fast-track industry growth by minimising the risk to new and current sector operators looking to establish or expand aquaculture operations in WA.
“WA’s aquaculture industry, excluding pearling, is worth $21 million and is vital to growing WA’s food industries and creating new jobs, especially across regional WA,” Fisheries and Regional Development Minister Don Punch said.
Minister Punch stated that for the industry to grow and attract new investment in fields like finfish and seaweed research and production, it is crucial to have modern, fit-for-purpose facilities.
“Projects under the Aquaculture Development Plan will continue to support the production of yellowtail kingfish, barramundi, abalone, mussels, marron, silver perch, rainbow trout, yabbies and oysters, as well as provide opportunities for emerging industries such as coral and seaweed, to build a strong and sustainable aquaculture industry for the future,” Minister Punch added.
Part of the funds will be used to build industry strategies to drive research and investment in significant sectors like marine shellfish and finfish, freshwater aquaculture, and new industries like seaweed and algae production.
There will be enhancements to the Pemberton Freshwater Research Centre to assist in the continuous expansion of the popular freshwater trout fishery and the continued upkeep of the Albany Aquaculture Park and Albany Shellfish Hatchery to foster the growth of shellfish aquaculture on the South Coast.
Additional investment in the WA Seafood Quality Assurance Program will help with the certification of new regions that are appropriate for shellfish production for human consumption.
According to the State Government, a project to scale up research into the commercialisation of a nutritional additive of worldwide relevance for finfish production will also be implemented, as will continued monitoring of aquaculture development zones to guarantee economic and environmental sustainability.
To meet the growing industry demand to increase aquaculture production and research capability in the north of the State, an additional $2 million will be invested in the renovation and modernisation of the Broome Tropical Aquaculture Park.
