Gascoyne Aquaculture Development Plan
The following is the Executive Summary of the Gascoyne Aquaculture Development Plan.
Introduction
Aquaculture is an emerging industry which is able to be ecologically sustainable, providing effective management procedures are developed and implemented while the industry is still evolving.
The State Government has given considerable support to the development of aquaculture in WA. Through the Fisheries Department, the government is developing policies, standards and guidelines to ensure the future of this industry. There is a need to adapt these management tools to suit specific localities around the State. Already, a Development Plan has been released for the Kimberley region.
The Gascoyne region of WA is believed to offer several opportunities for commercial aquaculture development. The Gascoyne comprises extensive coastal sites with limited inland and offshore sites also available. At present aquaculture activity within the region is primarily based on pearl oysters however, pilot projects involving giant clams, freshwater aquarium fish, edible oysters and beta carotene production have been trialed with some degree of success.
To facilitate the development of this new industry, it is necessary to establish management and environmental guidelines and recommendations, by way of an Aquaculture Development Plan for the Gascoyne region. The principle objectives of the Plan are to describe the region's aquaculture – oriented resources, derive a strategy to facilitate the development of a sustainable aquaculture industry and provide relevant, strategic management planning guidelines and recommendations.
A strategic planning approach has been adopted to conceptualise and focus efforts to facilitate the development of an aquaculture industry in the Gascoyne.
Regional Overview
The Gascoyne is situated on the Tropic of Capricorn, in the north west of Western Australia. The region is fringed by the Geraldton Mid West to the south and east, the Pilbara to the north and the Indian Ocean to the west. The region covers 140,912 km2 and extends over 600 km along the coast from Zuytdorp Cliffs to the North West Cape and over 300 km inland to Mount Augustus. The coastline is marked by two large marine embayments being Exmouth Gulf and Shark Bay as well as the fringing Ningaloo coral reef.
The .primary industry activities of fishing, pastoralism and horticulture along with mining, have provided a firm and diverse base for the Gascoyne's economy. In recent years the development of tourism has become a major element of the economy.
Regional Resources
The four major towns within the Gascoyne have well developed infrastructure amenities and are serviced by a comprehensive array of trades and services including modern telecommunication facilities. There are all weather sealed aerodromes and Carnarvon, Shark Bay and Learmonth. The road system provides the main method of transport around the region with the North West Coastal Highway linking the main population centres. When rain bearing depressions cause the network of inland river systems to flow, the area is often isolated from the rest of Western Australia (by flood water across roads).
The Gascoyne's natural, aquaculture-orientated resources are considerable. It's water resources encompass hypersaline, marine, brackish and fresh water. The region supports many species of fish and shellfish, many of which are high-value and considered to have good prospects for aquaculture development.
Aquaculture Development
The factors affecting the development of aquaculture in the Gascoyne are species and production technology selection factors, risks imposed by droughts, floods and tropical cyclones, extension and training facilities, research and development support and capabilities, traditional land usage rights and native title issues, land and water tenure and regulations imposed by Government.
Species and technology selection factors are fundamental to the establishment of successful commercial aquaculture operations. The major factors influencing the selection of suitable species are water temperature, water type, biotechnology and marketability. The four major selection factors that govern the choice of a suitable production technology are location, management intensity, scale of operations and integration of systems.
Several species likely to have good aquaculture potential in the Gascoyne have had market research information collated. A viability analysis of estuary cod farming within the region has been included as a case study.
Several zones in the region have been identified to provide a means of identifying and describing the suitability of specific areas to aquaculture development. For the purpose of the Gascoyne Aquaculture Development Plan, the region has been divided into five Aquaculture Management Zones.
The management zones are
- The Shark Bay Zone
- The Horticulture – Carnarvon Zone
- The Exmouth Gulf Zone
- The Ningaloo Zone, and
- The Pastoral Zone.
The Shark Bay Zone
Shark Bay is a large embayment situated at the southern end of the Gascoyne region. It comprises a series of broad gulfs, narrow inlets and shallow basins and includes Bernier, Dorre and Dirk Hartog Islands. Shark Bay was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1991 in recognition of the area's outstanding natural values. A large portion of the Zone is encompassed by the Shark Bay Marine Park and Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve.
The only existing aquaculture developments in the region are pearl oyster cultivation, oyster spat collection and freshwater aquarium fish culture.
Current impediments to aquaculture development include difficulties in accessing crown land adjacent to the coast and competition for land from recreational and other commercial uses. Aquaculture operations within the Marine Park require stringent monitoring to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on the environment. Extensive seagrass beds will limit the sites available for aquaculture development in the Shark Bay Zone.
The Shark Bay Zone is considered to have excellent aquaculture potential. A significant feature is the large amount of semi protected coastline providing opportunities for sea cage aquaculture of temperate to tropical marine finfish. Native species with potential include oysters, scallops, Westralian jewfish, mahi mahi and yellowfin tuna. Ongrowing wild caught fish is an option which will enable produce to be sold out of season for a higher price. Suitable culture methods include land and sea based intensive, semi intensive and extensive systems. Prospects exits for ancillary aquaculture ventures with Shark Bay Solar Salt for brine shrimp and beta carotene production.
The Horticulture-Carnarvon Zone
The Horticulture – Carnarvon Zone surrounds the Gascoyne River delta and extends as far east as Fishy Pool. The town of Carnarvon is located within this Zone and as it is positioned on the delta of a major river system, much of the town and surrounding areas are on flood prone and unstable landforms.
An oyster hatchery has been operating out of Carnarvon since 1985. The hatchery is situated on Oyster Creek and is now primarily involved in the production of the silver lipped oyster Pinctada maxima.
Impediments to aquaculture development within this Zone include locating suitable land free from flooding. Pesticides and chemicals used by the horticulture industry may restrict the cultivation of some species. Accessing sufficient amounts of fresh water is a major impediment which is currently being addressed by the State Government.
The Horticulture – Carnarvon Zone is considered to have moderate aquaculture potential. It is the only Zone with a reasonable supply of fresh water. An opportunity exists for the vertical integration of the horticulture industry with freshwater aquaculture.
Potential aquaculture species include snapper, prawns, bream, mangrove jack, aquarium fish and estuary cod. The translocation risk of freshwater species such as red claw (Cherax quadricarinatus) and barramundi (lates calcarifer) require assessment. If the risk is acceptable then cultivation of this species should be considered. Suitable culture systems include land based intensive to semi intensive culture systems.
The Exmouth Gulf Zone
The Exmouth Gulf Zone is located in the northern section of the Gascoyne region and includes the town of Exmouth. The Gulf is one of the largest embayments on the Western Australian coastline and contains numerous offshore islands.
Exmouth Gulf has medium potential for aquaculture. Suitable aquaculture candidates native to the area include mahi mahi, mud crabs, pearl oysters and edible oysters. A pilot giant clam farm did operate at Lefroy Point for several years. There are several pearling leases situated in the south of the Gulf. A pearl oyster hatchery has recently been constructed near Learmonth airport.
Throughout the Exmouth Gulf Zone there is a limited supply of fresh water. The eastern and southern sections of the gulf are difficult to access and have virtually no infrastructure. Turbidity levels in the southern and eastern sections of the Gulf are high. Cyclone tidal surges are amplified due to the Gulf's shape, this factor will therefore limit the potential of the eastern edge of the Gulf.
The Ningaloo Zone
The Ningaloo Zone comprises the coastal fringe between Point Murat on the North West Cape to the southern boundary of ‘Boolathana Station north of Carnarvon. The Zone includes the fringing Ningaloo Reef, the Ningaloo Marine Park and the coastal community of Coral Bay.
Impediments to aquaculture development include the limited access throughout the Zone, exposure to weather and high conservation status of a large proportion of the Zone. In the southern section of the Zone, past Gnaraloo Bay, the coastline comprises a high energy coast of rugged cliffs and limestone platforms. The Ningaloo Zone is considered to have low aquaculture potential.
The Pastoral Zone
The Pastoral Zone covers the largest area within the Gascoyne. It extends over the entire inland land mass and is found generally east of the North West Coastal Highway. The Zone includes the town of Gascoyne Junction and the Aboriginal community of Burringurrah.
There is limited amounts of surface and fresh water within the Zone. Other impediments include the lack of all weather access to the area. The area's remoteness could increase development and operating costs and there could be difficulties providing support services. Currently, land held under pastoral lease cannot be used for other purposes without approval from the Department of Land Administration. Land acquisition and tenure can be a significant impediment to aquaculture development.
The Pastoral Zone is considered to have low to moderate aquaculture potential. Water for aquaculture ventures could be available from bores or dams in some areas. Artesian bores offer an opportunity to culture brackish water species. Potential aquaculture species include euryhaline fish and microalgae such as barramundi, milkfish, beta carotene, spirulina, brine shrimp and fresh water crayfish. It should be noted that some of these species will require translocation assessment.
Summary of Recommendations
The recommendations are not in priority order, but in the order that they appear in the text. It is intended that priorities will be established through the implementation process associated with this plan.
The Gascoyne Region
Recommendation 1:
Establish a group to oversee the development of the aquaculture industry and to steer and review the implementation of the Gascoyne Aquaculture Development Plan.
Recommendation 2:
Promote the Gascoyne Region's unique aquaculture resources and the Gascoyne Aquaculture Plan and commercial Development.
Recommendation 3:
Provide an extension service to Gascoyne Region aquaculturists and examine the feasibility of positioning an Aquaculture Development Officer to improve the efficiency of operations from farm to market.
Recommendation 4:
Undertake aquaculture planning for potential high demand areas to identify specific sites, compatible species, appropriate production technologies and infrastructure requirements for selected Aquaculture Development Sectors.
Recommendation 5:
Provide planning and technical support to aquaculture proponents through all stages of project development.
Recommendation 6:
Investigate the feasibility of establishing a marine fin fish hatchery in the region to provide juveniles for grow-out.
Recommendation 7:
Evaluate the aquaculture potential and environmental risk of farming barramundi in the Gascoyne Region.
Recommendation 8:
Establish demonstration and pilot projects, organise relevant aquaculture workshops and develop industry networks, as appropriate, in the Gascoyne Region.
Recommendation 9:
Prepare industry information packages for prospective aquaculturists.
Recommendation 10:
Encourage and support the economic development of the Aboriginal community by assisting their involvement and training in aquaculture.
Recommendation 11:
Encourage the provision of aquaculture-oriented courses at the Gascoyne TAFE Centre and the development of collaborative links with other relevant education and research organisations.
Recommendation 12:
Develop models to determine the carrying and assimilative capacities of water bodies in the Gascoyne Region.
Recommendation 13:
Identify and include relevant provisions for aquaculture development in Local Government Planning Schemes.
Recommendation 14:
Facilitate the development of, and provide support to, a regional aquaculture association.
The Shark Bay Zone
Recommendation 15:
Examine the possibility of utilising a portion of the Monkey Mia Reserve (Reserve No. 1686) as an aquaculture precinct.
The Horticulture – Carnarvon Zone
Recommendation 16:
Evaluate the aquaculture potential of, and assess environmental risks associated with, the farming of red claw crayfish in the Gascoyne Region.
Recommendation 17:
Assess the potential for development of a freshwater aquaculture industry within this zone.
Recommendation 18:
Facilitate negotiations between existing landholders at Oyster Creek and Babbage Island and the Department of Land Administration, to explore the potential for sties to be sub-leased for aquaculture purposes.
Recommendation 19:
Examine the potential impact of chemicals used by industry to determine the likely effects of such chemicals on aquaculture.
Recommendation 20:
Ensure that any future extensions of the horticulture industry includes the provision for aquaculture development.
The Exmouth Gulf Zone
Recommendation 21:
Determine the possibility of excising land from the north-east corner of the Harold E Hold Communications Base area for aquaculture development.
Recommendation 22:
Identify potential aquaculture sites between the Kailis prawn processing operations and the former Nor West Seafoods site at Learmonth.
Recommendation 23:
Identify and investigate the release of potential aquaculture development sites at Wapet Creek, Point Lefroy and the Sandalwood Peninsula.
Recommendation 24:
Facilitate and support the establishment of a tropical Marine Research Facility at the Harold E Holt Communications Base or at another appropriate location.
The Pastoral Zone
Recommendation 25:
Evaluate aquaculture development opportunities within the Zone and, as appropriate, promote opportunities to pastoralists.
Recommendation 26:
GDC, Fisheries and Agriculture Western Australia to consider the aquaculture development requirements of the Pastoral Zone.
Strategy Implementation
An important component of a Development Plan is implementation, which is the process of putting a strategy into action through plans, policies, programmes, budgets and timetables. The Gascoyne Aquaculture Development Plan includes recommendations to facilitate the development of a commercial aquaculture industry in the region. It sets out a vision for the industry in the Gascoyne and makes recommendations on actions to achieve that vision.
The Fisheries Department and the Gascoyne Development Commission have agreed to establish a development group to steer and review the implementation of the plan.
The group will set priorities for aquaculture development in the region with reference to the Plan and consultation with regional people, potential investors and key agencies of government. The group will provide the impetus necessary to stimulate and promote commercial development and overcome constraints to develop unreasonable policy impediments. It would also establish key agency relationships as needed.
The recommendations in this Plan aim to promote the development of a commercial aquaculture industry in the Gascoyne through the implementation/action plans. It is not intended that this Plan provide comprehensive and fixed implementation strategies. Rather the suggested recommendations will necessarily evolve as the industry develops and technology changes.
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