PIRSA Aquaculture have indicated that they intend to develop a number of new aquaculture zones around the state over the next 5 years as well as revisit early assumptions of carrying capacity estimates developed in Innovative Solutions 1, in order to meet the anticipated expansion of the aquaculture industry within South Australia. This expansion is necessary to meet SA’s target of $2 billion in seafood production by 2015. It is also essential that PIRSA Aquaculture is prepared for successful propagation of southern bluefin tuna, which could see the farmed biomass of this species increase significantly in a few years, particularly in Spencer Gulf where existing aquaculture infrastructure and support services are in place.
The ability to obtain accurate estimates of spatial and temporal variability in the cycling of carbon and other macro-nutrients through the ecosystems in Spencer Gulf will provide important information about potential risks and impacts of increased aquaculture activities in the Gulf. This need will be met through the development of calibrated hydrodynamic and bio-geochemical models for Spencer Gulf that will also determine the carrying capacity of aquaculture areas, including the concurrent use of both supplementary and non-supplementary fed organisms within each area. Further, the development of strategies for long-term performance monitoring, management and mitigation are needed for the aquaculture areas in Spencer Gulf. These outcomes will further justify the South Australian government’s approach to sustainable aquaculture development as directed by the Aquaculture Act 2001.
The stated limits in the ability to deliver the above for other areas (e.g. shelf waters off Ceduna) or species (e.g. scallops) by the researchers will aid PIRSA Aquaculture to determine the future resource requirements for getting the other areas of South Australia up to the policy and regulatory standards set by this work in Spencer Gulf.