Enhanced biosecurity has been identified as a priority area in the ABFA 2015 – 2020 Strategic Plan.

Although the farmed barramundi industry and relevant jurisdictions have implemented a range of measures to mitigate the risks of major diseases of concern (i.e. individual on farm biosecurity procedures and engagement and sponsorship of a number of specific projects), this industry sector does not have a nationally consistent, agreed approach to biosecurity.

The development of a sector-specific national biosecurity plan for the farmed barramundi industry would ensure a common level of biosecurity risk management to support specific enterprise and whole-of industry productivity.

Furthermore, work is underway to develop industry-government emergency aquatic animal disease response arrangements. These arrangements should be underpinned by amongst other measures an industry biosecurity plan.

The industry feel that they are at a high risk to diseases introduction through the importation of fish that require processing from high risk regions that have very potent diseases such as pot belly and scale drop syndrome. As such enhanced Industry biosecurity measures are considered critical to the growth of barramundi farming in Australia.

Post CRC, ABFA required project development and management between ABFA members, service providers and funders.

There is a need to maintain cohesive and strategic direction of ABFA RD&E in line with the ABFA 2015 - 2020 Strategic Plan

Communication and extension across members, service providers, funders and other key stakeholder groups on RD&E needs and outcomes is required.
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The Australian barramundi farming sector is a small and growing industry, with the opportunity to sell high quality product at premium prices.

Although many aquaculture ventures across Australia have licences to grow barramundi, the industry comprises only 25 ventures that produce barramundi on sufficient scale to regarded as full time enterprises. These businesses have little or no capacity to coordinate investment in, and manage industry development. There is great difficulty in providing a whole of industry perspective on R&D and hence difficulty in capturing the benefits of scale arising from investment in innovation. Collective action on R&D will help capture the benefits of R&D and will deliver future growth.

The ABFA is now established and well positioned with the CRC to implement its strategic plan and to integrate R&D work across all stakeholders under its leadership. CRC staff have participated in several planning meetings, the proposed projects have been decided.

There is now a need for the ABFA to appoint one of our members to act as a liasion point with the CRC, to ensure barramundi farmers are involved in the R&D and contribute their resources when required. This person will also faciltate effective communication and coordination with all stakeholders, particularly at the start of projects and coomunication of results.