Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin said the Great
Sandy Regional Marine Aquaculture Plan aims to increase investment in low-impact
marine aquaculture such as pearl, oyster and scallop farming.
The clear criteria in this plan will help increase investment in Queenslands
aquaculture industry, which currently contributes over $103 million annually to the
Queensland economy and employs more than 565 full-time workers, Mr Mulherin said.
The plan makes Queensland a more attractive place to invest in sustainable
aquaculture by allowing economic and environmental certainty about the management
of marine aquaculture in the Great Sandy region."
It provides a higher level of certainty to potential investors and the community in
regard to where and how aquaculture is developed within the region."
The plan highlights the importance of both environmentally and economically
sustainable development for regional aquaculture industry."
This region-wide plan is the first of its kind in Queensland, as until now aquaculture
proposals have been assessed on an individual basis rather than at a regional level."
The plan designates specific sites for non-intensive aquaculture, which will be
allocated by a competitive allocation process to be conducted in the future, he said.
Mr Mulherin said sites allow for rack, line or ranching methods of aquaculture, which
can be used for oysters, pearls, and scallops. Only aquaculture that does not require
the addition of feed is permitted in the Great Sandy region.
The Great Sandy Regional Marine Aquaculture Plan also provides detailed assessment
criteria and conditions of approval for aquaculture within these sites, Mr Mulherin said.
It takes into account the Great Sandy Marine Park principles and rules and considers
the environment, our commercial and recreational fisheries, and tourism industry.
Fisheries Queensland worked with a diverse range of stakeholders and both state and
federal government agencies in state-wide consultation over the past four years.
Feedback and advice from this has been incorporated in these final plans.
Sustainable Aquaculture Investment On Fraser Coast
AUSTRALIA - The Queensland aquaculture industrys future is secured with the release of a plan which provides certainty for both aquaculture companies and conservationists, in the Great Sandy region.
