Aquaculture booming

The latest NSW aquaculture industry production figures have confirmed continued industry and production growth in 2013-14, with a 6.4 per cent increase in total value on the previous year.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Aquaculture Production Report 2013-14 has found that with a revised value of $53.3 million, the aquaculture industry continues to provide sustainable seafood to support the food security needs of the State.

This is up from $41.7 million in 1999/2000, but it's just a modest increase when you take inflation into account. The RBA's inflation calculator for a bag of goods purchased in 2000 for that value would cost $61.8 million at 2.9 per cent annual inflation today.

Yet despite the maths, the impact of drought and imported seafood competition, our land-based freshwater fish farms sector jumped 29 per cent to $14.5 million in production, claims NSW DPI.

All major species, such as farmed Black Tiger Prawns, Rainbow Trout, Silver Perch, Mulloway, Barramundi and Yabbies have experienced significant growth in production, with increases ranging from 17 per cent to 72 per cent.

The standout was the Murray Cod, which increased production by 67 tonnes, predominantly due to a new dedicated aquaculture facility in the Minister's electorate near Goulburn (MarianVale Blue) launching into full production and into Asia.

The most valuable industry sector in NSW, the Sydney Rock Oyster increased by 6.5 per cent to $31.8 million.

Wallis Lake, Port Stephens and the Clyde River remain NSW’s top producing estuaries, however, many estuaries have escalated in production and value in the last year, including Wagonga Inlet, Camden Haven and Hastings River.

The NSW Government is aiming to further increase production from new species, new investment and innovative culture technology.

"With some 85 per cent of seafood purchased in NSW imported there is a tremendous market opportunity for aquaculture production in NSW," said Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson.

"I encourage seafood lovers to buy local for some of the freshest and best quality seafood in the world and support our fish farmers and fishermen."

Sydney Rock Oyster growers increased production by over 111,000 dozen worth $2 million, with a rise in the average farm gate price of 2.4 per cent over all grades of oysters.

"This is an outstanding result and reflects the hard work and initiatives of oyster growers in recent years to adopt new technology, develop environmental management systems, fight for water quality protection and work collectively to promote what is a unique product on the world’s oyster stage," said Ms Hodgkinson said.

The Minister is expecting even greater future growth within the aquaculture industry, with the recent approval of 50 hectares of aquaculture leases at Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast.

There is a public tender open to all interested parties who meet the requirements and conditions of the tender, which can be found here. Full Aquaculture Production Report at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/aquaculture/faqs/aquaculture-production-reports