Making the announcement, Federal Fisheries Minister Senator Ian Macdonald, and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, said that aquaculture is one of Australia's fastest growing primary industries, both in terms of production capacity and in finding new markets, and it is the economic mainstay of many communities.

Initiatives under the Action Agenda include a national policy statement, developing a more efficient regulatory environment, improving animal health standards, and a greater focus on R&D and training.

"Aquaculture in Australia is currently worth approximately $746 million and employs around 7,000 people, mostly in regional areas, " Senator Macdonald said.

"The expansion, which is expected to take place as a result of the Action Agenda will provide these communities with significant spin-offs, including better educational and social services, improved infrastructure, better employment opportunities and new investment," he said.

Mr Macfarlane said we now have 29 Action Agendas up and running across the spectrum of Australian industry. They are a proven method of helping industry sectors set ambitious but attainable goals, but success very much depends on industry members taking ownership of their future.

"The result will be a more efficient, innovative, sustainable, competitive and forward-looking industry able to attract new investment and find new markets," he said.

"The Howard Government is committed to giving Australian industry every opportunity to grow by providing a supportive macro-economic environment of low interest rates, increasing company profits and sensible workplace relations reform."

Senator Macdonald said aquaculture's strong, recent growth highlights the dramatic shift from using wild fisheries to the only sustainable alternative - the farmed product.

The Ministers thanked the National Aquaculture Development Committee for its contribution in ensuring the Action Agenda builds on aquaculture's considerable achievements of the past decade.

The initiatives will be undertaken over four years.

A list of Commonwealth commitments to the Aquaculture Industry Action Agenda is attached.
 

• Developing a National Aquaculture Policy Statement. This will send a clear signal to all members of the aquaculture industry, domestic and international investors and the wider Australian community, that there is strong support in Australia for a sustainably managed aquaculture sector.
• Promoting a regulatory and business environment that supports an efficient and effective aquaculture industry, and helps attract new investment.
• Implementing an industry-driven action agenda that will help build a responsive and competitive industry that can work closely with government and the Australian community.
• Ensuring the industry grows within an ecologically sustainable framework. This will help ensure aquaculture expands its production base by improving its long-term sustainability and access to resources.
• Protecting industry from aquatic diseases and pests to help protect Australia's relatively clean, green and disease-free natural resource base.
• Investing for growth. To realise aquaculture's goal of tripling its worth to $2.5 billion by 2010, there will need to be substantial capital investment across the industry.
• Promoting aquaculture products in Australia and overseas to capitalise on Australia's widespread and hard-won reputation as a supplier of safe, wholesome and high-quality products.
• Research and innovation. It is vital that Australia maximises the benefits of targeted research and innovation, and shares its experiences with 'best practice' operations.
• Making the most of education and workplace training to improve the skills and flexibility of workers in the aquaculture sector, and convert the industry's intellectual capital into a highly competitive product.
• Creating an industry for all Australians, including encouraging Indigenous Australians to become significant stakeholders in aquaculture, and to make a greater contribution at the developmental stage.