The Australian Government is committed to a policy in support of doubling the Australian aquaculture industry to $2 billion over the 10 years to 2027. Around 17% of Australian aquaculture value currently comes from northern Australia, despite northern Australia representing 53% of the national land mass, at ~4.8 million km2, with extensive options for marine and freshwater aquaculture sites based on geophysical assessment. Aquaculture has the potential to increase primary production, regional employment, and infrastructure investment in northern Australia. In response to this opportunity, the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) commissioned a situational analysis of the northern Australian aquaculture industry. The goal of that project was to develop a realistic, inclusive, industry-supported Vision 2030, including recommendations for the industry and the CRCNA to inform and guide future investment.
Annual gross value product (GVP; FY17) from northern Australian aquaculture was around $223 million, predominantly barramundi (33%), prawns (32%), and pearls (non-edible) (31%), with several other species (tropical rock oysters, redclaw and other finfish) making up the remaining 3% of value. Aquaculture in northern Australia has demonstrated a slow increase in production compared with aquaculture in southern Australia. Through consultation with 117 stakeholders in an online survey, and over 150 stakeholders in workshops, the project collected data on the key industry challenges and explored solutions to enable the industry to achieve its Vision 2030.
Seven strategic recommendations were proposed by the CRCNA project to address key barriers to industry development, including: bolster biosecurity; infrastructure for Aquaculture Development Hubs; market development and access; increase availability of skilled staff; build Indigenous aquaculture opportunities; target RD&E to key industry needs; and stronger and adaptive governance. Investment in existing key industries (barramundi, prawns and pearls) and in emerging sectors where government and industry support and investment are driving establishment (tropical rock oysters, lobsters, sea cucumbers, redclaw, and other finfish) have high potential to underpin growth.