Tenders are being called to build a $6 million Experimental Aquaculture Facility in Tasmania.
The Australian Government has contributed $2.75 million to the construction of the world leading aquaculture research facility in a bid to ensure that Tasmania’s aquaculture industry remains at the leading edge.
The project is a collaboration between industry and the tertiary sector and funding has been committed by Huon Aquaculture, Skretting, the University of Tasmania, Tasmanian Government and the Seafood CRC.
“Our fisheries management is among the best in the world and Tasmania’s aquaculture industry is highly regarded both internationally and domestically,” said Senator Richard Colbeck, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture.
Senator Colbeck said the facility would allow for specialised research and innovation to support growth and sustainability of aquaculture in the Tasmanian salmon and oyster sectors.
“The aquaculture industry makes a significant contribution to Tasmania and is an important provider of employment in the state,” he said.
In 2011-12 the Tasmanian aquaculture industry contributed 92% of the state’s fisheries production and was worth $537 million. Salmonoids are Tasmania’s largest aquaculture species group and the value and volume of salmonoids production both increased in 2011-12.
The Experimental Aquaculture Facility will be built at the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) campus at Taroona.
