Boosting Jobs: Local Seafood Processing on Horizon

NT Government

The Territory Government, local business and industry are working together to support and grow our local seafood industry, with today’s release of the Seafood Processing Facility Scoping Report.

Territory seafood is high quality produce and at present a large majority of our seafood is sent to southern states for processing.

This report is a key step towards a potential processing facility in Darwin, to grow local businesses and jobs, maximise the value of our seafood and improve access to other markets.

The report recommends that the potential facility should focus on Black Jewfish, Barramundi (wild-caught), Pearl Meat, Trepang and various other species that could be smoked or turned into high-end niche products.

The potential facility would also align with the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commissions Final Report and its recommendation to pursue opportunities for value-add manufacturing and processing of agriculture and seafood products.

The scoping study, undertaken by KPMG in 2020, also looked at the opportunity to create local jobs, drive investments and grow the seafood industry.

The Territory Government is continuing discussions with industry to drive the development of the facility.

The report is available at https://industry.nt.gov.au/seafoodscopingstudy

Quotes from Nicole Manison, Minister for Agribusiness and Aquaculture

“The Territory’s commercial fishing and aquaculture industries inject $136 million into the economy each year, creating over 900 jobs.

“We are putting Territory jobs first and investing in job creating projects that will diversify and grow our economy.

“Our Seafood Industry has an exciting future. It has excellent sustainability regulations and best practice industry management in place, there is significant value that can be added to industry right here in the Territory.”

“We have some of the best, well-managed fisheries in the world and we are renowned for the quality of our seafood, caught in pristine local waters.”

Quotes from Katherine Winchester, CEO of NT Seafood Council

“The Northern Territory Seafood Council is delighted at today’s release of the Report as it will aid decisions surrounding seafood processing facilities for Darwin.

“We understand there is a willingness amongst operators to invest in seafood processing facilities in Darwin.

“Now that this Report is available we look forward to bringing industry and government together to ensure collaboration in progressing the next steps.”

/Public Release. View in full here.