$420,000 investment in aquaculture industry

Talking prawns with John Maloney, a man with a keen interest in our region's aquaculture industry.

A $420,000 project funded by the Liberal-Nationals Coalition Government will develop a comprehensive vision to expand the aquaculture industry in Northern Australia.

Aquaculture is a growing industry in centres like Bowen and the Burdekin and I have met with a number of current and prospective proponents in recent years.

There is the potential to create hundreds of jobs in regions that desperately need them, and this investment by the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia in putting together a plan for future developments will be welcomed with open arms.”

Minister for Resources andNorthern Australia Matt Canavan announced details of the project – to be led byJames Cook University – in Townsville today.

“The Northern AustralianAquaculture Industry Situational Analysis has been commissioned by theCooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia,” MinisterCanavan said.

“Over the next 12 months,researchers from James Cook University will work with the CSIRO, BlueshiftConsulting, the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association, Australian PrawnFarmers Association and the Indigenous Land Corporation to develop a comprehensiveaquaculture plan.

“Aquaculture is already worth morethan $240 million a year in Northern Australia but we believe it can be furtherexpanded and this study will help map out future developments.

“Itwill examine issues including market and investment opportunities, jobs andskills, biosecurity, animal health, and environmental considerations.”

Federal Member for Dawson GeorgeChristensen said he welcomed funding for an emerging industry in the region.

Minister Canavan said NorthernAustralia is well-placed to benefit from growing world demand for sustainablysourced seafood farmed in freshwater and marine locations.

“Australian aquaculture productiongrew by more than 50 per cent between 2006–07 and 2016–17 to almost 94,000tonnes, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and ResourceEconomics and Sciences.

“National aquaculture productionin 2016-17 was $1.3 billion. That included $120 million in Queensland, $90million in Western Australia and $34 million in the Northern Territory.

“Those figures are good but I wantto see aquaculture in Northern Australia grow further, providing jobs andincome for northern communities in often remote areas.”

Minister Canavan said this is the third aquaculture project funded by the CRCfor Developing Northern Australia.

“It highlights the strategicimportance of the aquaculture industry to growing jobs and opportunities inNorthern Australia,’’ Minister Canavan said.

“Overall, the CoalitionGovernment’s has committed $75 million over 10 years to the CRC for DevelopingNorthern Australia for industry-led research collaborations in agriculture andfood, health service delivery, and Traditional Owner-led business development.

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