Aquaculture Development Plan to strengthen and grow WA’s blue water economy
With Western Australia’s aquaculture industry continuing to grow and attract new investment, the WA Government is now seeking public comment on the State’s Aquaculture Development Plan which will guide the industry towards its short, medium and long term targets.
The State Government is working to establish the infrastructure needed to support growth and expansion.
In the past three years, the Government has declared and fully allocated the aquaculture zone off the Mid West Coast, supported the establishment of a South Coast development zone, joined with the Aquaculture Council of WA to build and operate Albany’s Shellfish Hatchery and invested $7million to construct a Marine Finfish Nursery at Geraldton. It has also invested in vital fish health and research services.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Aquaculture Manager Steve Nel has urged Western Australians to have a look at the plan and take the opportunity to provide feedback.
“The new Aquaculture Development Plan consolidates the industry’s long-standing views on removing barriers and provides the foundations to achieve significant growth within WA.
“With that growth, more direct and indirect jobs can be created and regional communities around our coastline will benefit,” he said.
The plan is open for comment for six weeks and is available online.
Last month, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimated overall aquaculture production for human consumption will grow by more than 30 percent in this decade.