Fresh Barramundi Fish or Asian Sea Bass Displayed on a Bed of Ice at Market.
Mesamong (Adobe Stock)
Tassal Group Limited has unveiled a new state-of-the-art barramundi nursery at the Broome Tropical Aquaculture Park, located in Broome, a town in the northwest of Western Australia, in the Kimberley region.
The Cook Government, which has supported this project with a grant, aims to increase the production of Kimberley barramundi in the Buccaneer Archipelago.
Also, it has invested in the 'Made in WA' Plan and in increasing the sustainable production of finfish in northern Western Australia. This will generate more local jobs and a more diverse and resilient economy.
"The new nursery facility is an exciting advancement for the Kimberley aquaculture industry, supporting economic growth and creating new local jobs. This project will provide opportunities for skill training and employment pathways, whilst ensuring the benefits flow through to regional communities," assured Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna.
Additionally, Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis noted: "Aquaculture is the world's fastest-growing food production sector and it is important we support new and expanding businesses so we attract further investment and can capitalise on future opportunities to export sustainable seafood products."
The Cone Bay barramundi farm had already received $5 million from the Investment Attraction Fund to modernize operations, and an additional $2 million to improve the Broome Tropical Aquaculture Park.
Cone Bay currently has real-time remote monitoring to observe fish behavior. Additionally, sea cages are being progressively replaced with sanctuary pens, and upgrades are being made to walkways and access platforms.
"With work underway to modernise the Cone Bay barramundi farm and upcoming upgrades to the Broome Tropical Aquaculture Park, more opportunities are opening up to grow aquaculture production in the Kimberley," concluded Regional Development and Kimberley Minister Stephen Dawson.