While the Australian salmon and shellfish aquaculture industries have international counterparts, there are specific local issues, notably warmer water temperatures and amoebic gill disease (AGD) requiring specific, local research attention. Given the maturity of the industry, the presence of both a university (the University of Tasmania) and the national research organisation (CSIRO) in Hobart, Tasmania is well-placed to develop an Experimental Aquaculture Facility (EAF) of international standing.

For several years there has been discussion regarding establishing an EAF in Hobart, Tasmania. It was envisaged that this would involve collaborative research amongst producers, researchers, regulators, feed suppliers and research and development corporations, amongst others.