The Rockliff Liberal Government is continuing to deliver when it comes to future-focused aquaculture opportunities, with the release of a policy that provides the framework for aquaculture research to be undertaken in a small area of the Bass Strait’s Commonwealth waters 11kms north of Burnie.
A fisheries management arrangement and Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth and State Governments was announced last year and provides the legal framework to enable aquaculture research in this area over 3 nautical miles offshore.
The Policy for Marine Aquaculture Research Activities in adjacent Commonwealth Waters sets out how Tasmania will regulate and manage aquaculture research in commonwealth waters, beyond the limits of State waters.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jo Palmer, said: “Research in waters this far from the coast is critical in determining the viability of aquaculture in Commonwealth waters, whether it be for salmon, seaweed, shellfish or other aquaculture species.”
Importantly, these activities are for research purposes only.
Consultation will be required for any aquaculture research proposal, and any trials would be managed in accordance with the laws of Tasmania, be fixed-term, of limited scale and within a defined research area.
