Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston has welcomed the ABARES Australian fisheries and aquaculture statistics 2016 report setting out that the value of the Australian fisheries and aquaculture sector increased by 9% to $3 billion in 2015-16, injecting an additional $270 million into rural and regional economies.
“The fisheries and aquaculture industries are going from strength to strength thanks to Australia’s reputation as a supplier of sustainable, high-quality seafood and sensible government policies,” Minister Ruston said.
“Wild-caught products increased by eight per cent to $1.7 billion, led by rock lobster production at a value of $695 million. The aquaculture industry is continuing to perform strongly, up by ten per cent to $1.3 billion, on the back of increased production values of Tasmanian salmon,” she said, and stressed that for four consecutive years, no fishery solely managed by the Commonwealth has been subject to overfishing.
More than 13,000 people are employed in the fisheries and aquaculture industry (including seafood processing and wholesaling workers, and total export values increased by 7% to $1.5 billion.
“The total export value of the industry increased seven per cent in 2015-16 to $1.5 billion, partly due to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) the government has secured, helping sell our seafood products in high-valued Asian markets. The Turnbull Government is delivering the National Aquaculture Strategy, new FTAs and the sustainable management of Commonwealth run fisheries, all of which results in greater prosperity for our fishing regions.”
