What is aquaculture?
Aquaculture is the farming of marine and freshwater finfish, shellfish, aquatic plants, algae and other organisms. Aquaculture involves producing aquatic organisms under deliberate and controlled conditions, as opposed to extracting them or their outputs from the wild. While typically performed for food production, aquatic organisms can also be farmed for use in aquaponics systems, to restore threatened species, enhance valuable wild species or to produce non-food items like pearls, biofuel and bioplastics.
Aquaculture at DPIRD
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is responsible for regulating aquaculture in Western Australia. The Department also operates broodstock and restocking production facilities, conducts applied research and development and has worked with the South Metropolitan TAFE (SMTAFE) to provide aquaculture training since 1989.
DPIRD is committed to growing and supporting the aquaculture industry through:
enabling access to natural resources, including coastal waters suitable for large-scale production and wild stocks for use as broodstock;
providing investment-ready aquaculture development zones where strategic environmental approvals have been secured;
identifying marine areas where aquaculture can be considered;
continuing to reduce unnecessary regulation; and
continuing to provide strong fish health capability within the Department, such as diagnostic services, advice and support.
Aquaculture in WA
The 
Aquaculture Council of Western Australia Inc. (ACWA) is the incorporated peak body for the State’s aquaculture industry and is an industry group member of the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC), the Seafood Industry Australia Council and the National aquaculture Council.
In Western Australia, commercial aquaculture produces many different species including yellowtail kingfish, barramundi, abalone, mussels, marron, silver perch, rainbow trout, yabbies and oysters. Emerging sectors with capacity for growth in WA include coral, kelp, seaweed and artemia production.
Aquaculture has considerable potential for growth, and opportunities for supporting industries such as: environmental monitoring, project support, and the development of land and infrastructure for aquaculture ventures. Opportunities also exist for Aboriginal businesses, tourism operators, and pastoralists and farmers to use inland saline and artesian waters to produce aquatic organisms to supplement their existing incomes.
DPIRD Aquaculture Management DirectorateGordon Stephenson House, 140 William Street, Perth WA 6000
Locked Bag 4, Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983
Phone: 1300 374 731 (1300 DPIRD1)
All enquiries should be directed to
aquaculture@dpird.wa.gov.au
Aquaculture Council of WALevel 1, 56 Marine Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160
PO Box 1605, Fremantle WA 6959
P: (08) 9432 7777
| E:
eo@aquaculturecouncilwa.com