Government Backs Aquaculture ‘Development Zone’

August 22, 2014—Western Australia’s State Government has paved the way for the state’s aquaculture production to triple in size to around 20,000 tonnes per annum.

Fisheries Minister Ken Baston is implementing a new aquaculture development zone, covering almost 2,000 hectares near Broome, which would support production of up to 20,000 tonnes of fish per year – up from the current tonnage of 7,000 tonnes.

At Cone Bay to declare the Kimberley Aquaculture Development Zone open, Baston said an existing barramundi farm could soon be joined by other commercial developments.

Comprehensive studies confirm the zone’s capacity to support the annual production of up to 20,000 tonnes of finfish without significant environmental impact.

“By starting a fish farm in a declared zone, operators do not need to spend years and hundreds of thousands of dollars on environmental approvals and consultation, because these approvals have already been done by the State Government,” the minister said.

At a special signing ceremony, Baston said such zones would provide an economic boost for Western Australia, with ‘investment ready’ locations and more jobs on offer sooner.

Fulfilling an election promise, the State Government has invested $1.85 million into developing the zone at Cone Bay and a second off the Mid-West coast.

The strategic approach allows consideration of cumulative environmental impacts, which may not be apparent with case-by-case assessments. Extensive studies and modelling have assessed the potential effects of large-scale aquaculture.

Source: fishnewseu.com