Aquaculture Sector

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing primary industry sectors and continues to be an important part of Australian fisheries production. Over the decade to 2007-08 aquaculture production has doubled from 29 300 tonnes to 62 500 tonnes.

The gross value of aquaculture production in 2007-08 was $868 million with the most valuable aquaculture species being farmed salmonids, (salmon and trout).Together they accounted for 34 per cent of total production volume

The second most valuable aquaculture species was farmed tuna with the value of farmed tuna production in South Australia rising by $49 million to $186.7 million.

In the next 20 years, it is estimated that we will need an extra 37 million tonnes of fish to meet global demand. With limited room for expansion in wild catch fisheries most of the additional supply will have to come from aquaculture. The goal for the near future is to aim for 100 000 tonnes of finfish by 2015.

To ensure that aquaculture continues to develop, we need significant investments to secure land and water resources, production technologies, supply chain development, value-adding marketing and promotion, and people development.

Representative Organisation

The National Aquaculture Council (NAC) is the peak body representing the aquaculture industry across Australia.