THE state government is backing more jobs and seafood production across the state's aquaculture sector, making sure more Victorians can enjoy fresh, local seafood.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny visited aquaculture facilities in Wyndham and Avalon in the build–up to Easter to see first–hand how producers prepare for the surge in orders ahead of Good Friday, when fresh fish is enjoyed by many households.
"Victoria is perfectly placed to support an expanding aquaculture sector because it boasts a clean and green reputation and is home to innovative businesses that are world–leaders in their field," said Minister Kilkenny.
Mainstream Aquaculture has brought world–leading barramundi production to Wyndham, with its facility housing the world's largest warm water aquaculture farm and home to the only breeding population of golden barramundi anywhere.
Founded in 2001, Mainstream now operates five barramundi farms in Australia, growing fish for the table and exporting live fingerlings to customers across 27 countries.
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"Barramundi is versatile, full of nutrients, and popular amongst Australians," said Dr Paul Harrison, MainStream Aquaculture's founder.
"We wanted to broaden our horizons by introducing this great fish to the world, starting with a cutting–edge breeding program."
Paul now heads the company's research and development department which has developed recirculation aquaculture technology and pond farming methods tailored to barramundi and enabling the fish to reach their full biological potential.
MainStream's Wyndham operation is in fact the largest warm water recirculating aquaculture system in the world.
The farm is strategically located to utilise water from a huge geothermal aquifer, which is larger in volume than Port Phillip Bay and contains warm water that is more than 1500 years old.
This amazing spring water is completely free of any pollutants and sits on bedrock being warmed by the earth's crust.
Barramundi are tolerant to changes in water salinity and grow well in mineral rich water.
Other crop farmers are typically not able to use this water, so MainStream has found a niche position where it can use water resources that are deemed unsuitable for most cropping.
Paul describes barramundi as naturally suitable for aquaculture.
But building on this, a large part of Paul's legacy is in developing the first selective breeding program for barramundi, and improving the genetics of the fish.
The company's blue–ribbon breeding lines enables faster growing and calmer fish that are even more suitable for aquaculture.
The future is bright for MainStream Aquaculture and its dedicated team of enthusiasts, with the company expecting to supply 5,000 tonnes per annum by 2024.
Another local success story is the Jade Tiger Abalone Farm in Avalon, on the shores of Port Phillip Bay.
A vital producer and exporter of the highly valued shellfish, Jade Tiger produces 400 tonnes of abalone annually from its three sites.
Its proximity to Melbourne Airport enables the export of live abalone to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, New York, Taipei, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, alongside frozen and canned product with longer shelf lives.
The state government has invested $1.25 million to support and grow the Victorian aquaculture sector, through Victorian Fisheries Authority's (VFA) Aquaculture Strategy.
The VFA works closely with industry to deliver this investment – creating more jobs and investment opportunities across Victoria.
Victoria's aquaculture industry generates more than $50 million each year and now exceeds the value of the wild catch sector.
The Strategy will be renewed later this year and continues to support industry expansion with a vision of producing sustainable seafood for domestic and international markets.
