Raelene Cooper Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and John Hutton - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

Presented by:

Raelene Cooper Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and John Hutton Maxima Opportunity

• Total seafood production is $2.5 b / year.
• Aquaculture production is $1 billion.
• Employs 14,000 people.(ABARES 2015)
• Aquaculture focus on high value, quality

product.

Rock Oyster Snapshot

• NSW ,SA and Tasmania
• $1oo million industry
• Produced 16.5 Million dozen 2007
• Species: Pacific Oyster and Sydney Rock Oyster

AustralianAquaculture – Snapshot (excl Pearls)

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

WesternAustralianAquaculture Underperforming Relative toOtherStates

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

Source: ABARE Fisheries Statistics 2012

Changing Regulatory Environment

• New Aquatic Resource Management Act 2016
• Combine Pearling Act and Fisheries Resource Management Act
• All Pearling Leases will become Aquaculture Leases.
• Currently 63,000 hectares of WA Marine Estate are Pearling or Aquaculture leases
• Approx. 60,000 are Pearling Leases
• Vast areas of water will become available for Aquaculture.

Investment in Multi-species Mollusc Hatchery

• WA Government - 5 year funding for the hatchery
• $2.3 Million investment
• Produce commercial quantities of oyster spat

WA’s Growth Opportunity

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

PhysicalAttributes

• Large areas of relatively protected water.
• Good water quality with large tidal flows
• Limited urban development and human impact
• Good transport links
• Close toAsian Markets

Government support

• 9 of 11 Regional DevelopmentCommissions identifiedAquaculture
• Compliments tourism industry

Why Aquaculture in the Pilbara?

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

PDC contracted Fisheries WA to identify potential Aquaculture species.

• Identified the most likely species is Rock Oyster .
• Some challenges identified
• Need R&D trial to address the risks and challenges

What Species in the Pilbara ?

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

The Partners in Rock Oyster Project

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation

• Economic development opportunity
• Real jobs on country and career paths
• Complement tourism venture

Pilbara Development Commission

• Attract sustainable industries to the region
• De-risk investment

City of Karratha

• Support economic diversification opportunities

Maxima Pearling Company

• Pearling Leases
• Pearling vessels
• Expertise in oyster culture
• Experienced in “start up” aquaculture projects

Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

• n behalf of the Australian Government.
• Funding
• Project management

Benefits

• Natural rock oyster populations
• Existing Pearl Oyster leases
• Successfully produced Pearl Oysters
• Knowledge from Pearling industry
• Pearling vessels available
• WA Government oyster hatchery.
• Good transport links
• Complement tourism industry

Pilbara Rock Oyster Research and Development Project.

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

Risks

• No Shellfish Quality Assurance Program
• Biosecurity and disease risks
• Growth and survival rates unknown
• Risk of cyclone

Burrup Peninsula Oyster Racks (Western Rock Oysters)

Target 1,000 dozen oysters Research to establish

• Growth rates
• Survival rates
• Seasonal Condition for market
• Shellfish Quality Assurance Program
• Test for all risks to human health
• Ongoing water and oyster sampling

regime

Pilbara Rock Oyster R&D Project

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

Map of Pilot Project Sites

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

Existing Pearl Lease Intertidal trial sites

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

Species and Equipment

Species

• Western Rock Oyster. Saccostrea cucullata
• Tropical Black Lip Oyster. Saccostrea echinata

Production system

• Adjustable height, multi-line and basket

systems used in Australian Oyster industry.

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

Flying Foam Passage (Pilbara) Vs Coffin Bay, South Australia

• The production area is roughly the same.
• Coffin Bay Oyster - recognizable brand in Australia
• Coffin Bay 40 independent growers (working together)
• Employing over 100 people.
• Geographically Remote -approximately 700km from Adelaide.
• First Pacific Oysters introduced in the 1970’s
• Commercial Production began in the 1990’s.

Flying Foam Passage, Pilbara Coffin Bay, South Australia

Other Water Users

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

Flying Foam Passage has high recreational boat traffic.

• Trial in the intertidal zone
• Not in navigable channel

The site buoy marking complies with Department of Transport

• Aquaculture sites are not exclusive.

It is an offence under the Fisheries Act to interfere with Aquaculture Equipment.

Aquaculture in the Pilbara. Opportunities for Rock Oyster Production

For further information contactSteven Gill Mobile: 0488 698 875 Email: steven.gill@maximaopportunity.com.au Web: maximaopportunity.com.au

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