Perth, Australia-based Seafarms has signed a memorandum of understanding with Canstruct Pty Ltd. to build out the first stage of Project Sea Dragon (PSD), a large-scale, land-based prawn aquaculture project.
According to the Seafarms MOU with Canstruct, the farm will be comprised of approximately 396 hectares of ponds and associated infrastructure, designed to support approximately 6,000 metric tons (MT) per annum of premium black tiger prawn production.
The first stage of the project has a budget of AUD 281 million (USD 215 million, EUR 183 million), according to the report.
Seafarms Managing Director Chris Mitchell said the MOU signing reflects the company's confidence in the project.
“Seafarms recognizes a relationship with Canstruct can simplify procurement and construction, enabling an earlier construction start, reduce the risk of cost and time overruns, as well as leveraging relevant project team skills,” he said.
Mitchell said Canstruct has the experience to build the project, and partnering with local companies is a key objective of Seafarms.
“Providing opportunities to local companies and people is important to Seafarms and Canstruct has committed to enhancing local industry participation and Indigenous employment in their proposal,” he said.
Canstruct CEO Rory Murphy said the company is “very excited about being involved in a material way in PSD, and is committed to providing opportunities for local Indigenous residents and local communities while delivering the project.”
Project Sea Dragon is an AUD 1.45 billion (USD 1.1 billion, EUR 941 million) prawn aquaculture project, which will include the development of up to 10,000 hectares of ponds for black tiger prawn production facilities.
The projects will be located in Exmouth, in Western Australia; and Legune Station and Bynoe Harbour, in the Northern Territory.
Seafarms has obtained all material regulatory approvals and Indigenous land-use agreements required to build the first stage of Project Sea Dragon, which the company has called the largest project of its kind in Australia.
Photo courtesy of Seafarms
