The Western Australian (WA) Government has launched the Aquaculture Development Plan to meet the increasing global demand for seafood.

Launching of the new plan is aimed at expanding WA’s blue economy and attract new investments in the seafood sector.

It is estimated that the plan would create 6,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

As part of this initiative, the government intends to build WA’s aquaculture industry and support local operators in accessing the global demand for quality seafood.

It anticipates that the aquaculture production for human consumption would increase by more than 30% in this decade.

The Aquaculture Development Plan will focus on the development of barramundi and rock oyster species in the Kimberley; rock oyster and other shellfish species in the Pilbara and west coast; finfish, coral and seaweed in the Mid-West; and abalone and shellfish in the Great Southern region.

WA Fisheries Minister Peter Tinley said: “Aquaculture is the world’s fastest-growing food production sector and the McGowan government has been positioning WA to meet the increasing demand for seafood.

“Since 2017, the government has declared and fully allocated the finfish aquaculture zone for the Mid-West, and begun establishing a South Coast development zone for shellfish.

“We are also upgrading research and development facilities at Hillarys to expand production of tropical and local species of rock oysters and scallops that will support industry growth. Developing a sustainable marine aquaculture industry is a vital plan for Western Australia.”

Tinley further explained that the government has created the Albany Shellfish Hatchery and progressed the Marine Finfish Nursery in Geraldton, as part of its commitment to support the aquaculture infrastructure.