The prawn farm and hatchery was established in 1984 by the Zipf family, in an attempt to diversify from the declining fortunes of the Queensland sugar industry.

“In just under 20 years, the Zipf family has turned the farm in to a highly successful business with an annual production of about 90 tonnes,” Senator Macdonald said.

The farm consists of 31 ponds and deals in two types of prawns the black tiger and the kuruma.

Federal Member for Fadden David Jull said: “The Rocky Point Prawn Farm has led the way in developing a new industry for the district, while making sure it is environmentally acceptable. In this way it is regarded as a world leader.”

RPPF exports about 500 kilograms of kuruma prawns to Japan, five days a week, for five months of the year. The farm’s entire kuruma prawn production is harvested, air freighted and then sold ‘live’ to sushi restaurants in Japan.

“Rocky Point Prawn Farm is one of the leaders in the aquaculture industry for its adoption of environmental management systems and environmental quality assurance.

“It has collaborated with the CSIRO, Australian Institute of Marine Science, National Greenhouse Office, JCU and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries to improve its ESD performance,” Senator Macdonald said.

The farm employs more than 20 local people and claims it has contributed over $8 million to Australia’s export earnings for the last three seasons combined.

"The majority of Australia’s farmed prawn production takes place in Queensland, which is great news for employment and State earnings,” Mr Jull said.

Senator Macdonald said aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry in this country and if estimates are anything to go by.

“The prawn farming industry currently employs about 1000 people, but it’s estimated that that figure will rise to 4,000 within eight years,” Senator Macdonald said.