The Darwin Aquaculture Centre will be transformed into a national centre of excellence for the research and development of tropical aquaculture in Northern Australia.
As part of Budget 2022, the Territory Labor Government has announced an ongoing $3.19 million package to accelerate fishing and aquaculture and protect agribusiness in the Territory.
$1.29 million will go towards expanding and diversifying the Darwin Aquaculture Centre as a Centre of Excellence in tropical aquaculture research and development; and the creation of a Fisheries and Aquaculture Innovation Hub to identify innovations in harvesting and production technologies to position the NT at the forefront of fisheries performance.
The Centre of Excellence will position the NT as a regional leader in tropical aquaculture development. It will allow the NT to build on the success of the Barramundi breeding program, the successful Blacklip Rock Oyster trials, a range of industry research partnerships and the emerging Black Jewfish program.
$1.9 million will boost our biosecurity capacity to support our agribusiness and aquaculture sectors to prepare for and reduce the impact of pest and disease incursions.
We know that Lumpy Skin Disease and Foot and Mouth Disease are on our doorstep and we have recently detected Japanese Encephalitis, American Serpentine Leafminer and Mango Shoot Looper.
The Northern Territory plays a critical role as the front line for biosecurity surveillance in our region and it’s important that we work together with the Commonwealth Government and Industry to lift our investment and our vigilance.
Accelerating agribusiness and aquaculture is key to the Territory Labor Government’s strategy to grow a $40 billion economy by 2030.
Minister for Agribusiness and Aquaculture, Nicole Manison:
“This investment will ensure the Territory is Northern Australia’s go-to destination for all things aquaculture.”
“The Territory’s commercial fishing and aquaculture industries inject $136 million into the economy each year, creating over 900 jobs.
“We have some of the best fisheries in the world and we are renowned for the quality of our seafood, which is why we are investing in biosecurity and protecting our pristine Territory waters.
“With increased biosecurity threats in our region, we recognise that now is the time to invest in biosecurity and support our important industry sectors to prepare and respond.”
