Food Hubs and Aquaculture
Aquaculture The South Coast Bioregion is recognised internationally as a high-quality, clean marine environment, with minimal pollutants and strong biosecurity integrity. The protection of the aquatic environment through monitoring, aquatic animal health programs and zoning requirements ensures high standards and offers certainty to investors. The region is well positioned to further develop and expand marine and land-based aquaculture production to host and efficiently produce a range of seafood. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) established the Albany Aquaculture Development Zone as an ‘investment ready’ platform for commercial shellfish aquaculture with reduced environmental approval times, lower costs and less red tape. The Zone encompasses four areas, including: 1. an area in Oyster Harbour, comprising 500 hectares; 2. two areas in King George Sound (near Mistaken Island and in Frenchman’s Bay); and 3. an area in Princess Royal Harbour (in Shoal Bay). 38 Several suitable locations within this Aquaculture Zone have been identified by DPIRD as suitable for sustainable, low-impact commercial shellfish aquaculture. Albany and the south-east coast have an established marine operations capability, including personnel, expertise, services and infrastructure, able to support sustainable aquaculture industry growth and development. This provides a ready export gateway to overseas markets and allows for full produce traceability. Albany Aquaculture Park Working together with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Aquaculture Council of WA (ACWA), and with the ongoing support of the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC), the hatchery located at the Albany Aquaculture Park offers large-scale commercial production of shellfish spat (juvenile) across a range of species including oysters, mussels, and scallops. The following aquaculture businesses exist across the Great Southern: • Harvest Road, owned by the Minderoo Foundation operates out of Albany having acquired Blue Lagoon Mussels (Cockburn Sound), Great Southern Shellfish and Ocean Food International. • 888 Abalone is a family-owned business whose abalone farm is based in Bremer Bay, WA, producing Greenlip Abalone. • Great Southern Marron is an aqua-farm adjacent to the Nullaki Peninsula at Youngs Siding. They service the needs of consumers, restaurants, hotels and other hospitality venues. • Jamic Yabbies provides yabbies for established wholesale markets mainly in Perth.
38 Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development - Fisheries Website – www.fish.wa.gov.au/Fishing-and- Aquaculture/Aquaculture/Aquaculture%20Zones/Pages/default.aspx
54 | WA Investment Prospectus
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