Two fishing boats in the evening anchored at Greenwell Point a township located on the Crookhaven River in the Shoalhaven area, New South Wales.
Adobe Stock
The Minns Labor Government, the government of the state of New South Wales in Australia, has announced a $5.7 million investment to boost the oyster, kelp, and seafood sector in Shoalhaven.
"The South Coast is a burgeoning area for innovative aquaculture, and this investment by the Minns Government will allow four ventures to expand and become more sustainable to deliver jobs and economic growth for our community," said State Member for South Coast Liza Cutler MP.
The Minns Labor Government has already invested $14.3 million in 10 aquaculture businesses on the Far South Coast. This initiative aims to increase production and productivity, enhance sustainability, and create more jobs and economic growth.
Furthermore, the Regional Development Trust of the New South Wales Government has invested more than $200 million in programs and projects to support the growth of regional and rural industries, businesses, and communities.
Regarding this, the Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty, detailed: "This funding program is new to the industry and demonstrates the NSW Government's commitment to growing this coastal industry to support the joint industry and government NSW Aquaculture Vision Statement to grow the aquaculture sector to $300 million by 2030.
The funded projects range from expanding a facility to process seaweed and produce ingredients for cosmetic, nutritional, and medical use, to supporting sea urchin fisheries, boosting young oyster production, and providing new machinery and refrigeration for oyster aquaculture.
In the coming weeks, the remaining recipients of the Aquaculture Industry Development Program of the New South Wales Government will be announced.