Across two rounds of funding, the government of New South Wales (NSW) has announced AUD 20 million (USD 14.5 million, EUR 12.3 million) in funding for kelp and oyster aquaculture projects, fish waste reduction efforts, and upgrades within the wild-caught fisheries supply chain in and around the South Coast region of the Australian state.
In the first round of funding, the NSW government committed AUD 7.4 million (USD 5.4 million, EUR 4.5 million) and 10 collaborating aquaculture businesses pledged AUD 6.9 million (USD 5 million, EUR 4.2 million) toward several South Coast projects.
These include expanding the Ocean2Earth project, which takes waste from fish-processing facilities and turns it into regenerative fertilizer, from the pilot phase to industrial scale. It also includes funding for modernizing several oyster-farming facilities, and improving the cold chain management of a commercial fishing firm.
“The AUD 14.3 million [USD 10.4 million, EUR 8.8 million] funding boost to the aquaculture industry is a game changer for the South Coast by delivering expanded production, plus higher sustainability and resilience that will create jobs and economic growth,” NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said in a release. “Our seafood products are among the best in the world, and we need to boost production and enhance supply chain efficiency and security so that our local businesses can take advantage of market demand for quality and low carbon footprint seafood. We have set out to advance a circular marine economy that can grow the industry while protecting the environment, be resilient, and create new businesses and jobs for the future.”
The second round of funding included AUD 5.7 million (USD 4.1 million, EUR 3.5 million) for projects in the Shoalhaven area of the South Coast. These include the expansion of seaweed-processing capacity for use in skincare, nutrition, and medical products; new machinery for improved sea urchin processing; enhanced equipment for handling oyster spat; and more.
“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,” South Coast MP Liza Cutler said. “I look forward to seeing these businesses get moving on this opportunity. Kelp, oysters, and sea urchins are an exciting arm of aquaculture with enormous potential, and our government is backing an attitude of [getting the] South Coast moving.”
The improvements align with the Australian state’s goal of doubling the NSW aquaculture sector’s economic output to AUD 300 million (USD 217.5 million, EUR 184.6 million) by 2030.
