Australia firms partner to manage aquaculture industry expansion

Perth, Australia-based marine and coastal environment consulting firm, BMT Oceanica (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group, announced on Monday a partnership with global aquaculture advisory group SmartAqua, of South Australia.

This move will see the organizations working together to manage the evolution of the rapidly expanding aquaculture industry.

“With the industry forecast set to grow by an extra 18 million metric tons by 2020, it is imperative that any future developments are managed sustainably,” BMT said.

“It is well understood by most fish farmers that they must manage the impact of their fish on the environment and vice versa. Our collaboration with BMT Oceanica adds considerable strength to our environmental expertise, which together with our existing services, aquaculture health, biosecurity and husbandry management provides our customers with the complete aquaculture package,” said Alastair Smart, SmartAqua MD.

“This is an exciting enhancement to BMT’s existing aquaculture services and with the obvious synergies between ourselves and SmartAqua, we look forward to this partnership,” said Mark Bailey, BMT Oceanica co-MD. “BMT has been involved in the industry for many years and we enjoy using our strong technical skills and regulatory understanding to help our customers and the environment.”

In late May, BMT was appointed lead consultant for the Western Australia Department of Fisheries in a project to establish an aquaculture development zone. Along with BMT WBM and the University of Western Australia, the firm will play a key role in the strategic assessment of the proposed Midwest aquaculture development zone in the southern Abrolhos Islands, off the west coast of Australia.