South
Australia's booming aquaculture industry could be worth as
much as $650 million at the farm gate by 2013.
On the back of increasing global demand for seafood and the
state's international "clean and green" reputation, its
value this year is expected to top $370 million.
According to the new
Aquaculture Action Plan released by the Aquaculture Council,
the trick to the industry's future success rests with
finding a balance between growth and sustainability.
Agriculture, Food and
Fisheries minister Paul Holloway said the plan also promoted
collaboration between industry, government and other
stakeholders.
"The aim is to bring all
parties together to agree on, plan for and manage the future
development of aquaculture in South Australia," Mr Holloway
said.
Primary Industries and
Resources SA already has begun actively pursuing research
projects which encourage innovative practices, while
investigating the effects aquaculture may have on other
marine species.
Mr Holloway hopes the
research will provide more information on environmental
impacts and approaches to management.
"This work will provide the
most comprehensive package of information available in the
country for aquaculture decision making," he said.
The benefits of aquaculture
in economic terms are significant, having grown from a farm
gate value of $200,000 in 1988 to $300 million in 2001/02.
Further growth has been
earmarked for the industry's biggest drawcards, including
southern bluefin tuna, oysters, yellowtail kingfish and
mussels.
