The New South Wales government has announced a $41 million investment in the state’s aquaculture sector, supporting projects aimed at increasing production, improving sustainability and encouraging innovation across regional businesses.
The funding package includes $27 million from the Regional Development Trust, with participating businesses contributing almost $14 million. In total, 31 projects across New South Wales, from Tweed Heads to Eden, will receive support.
The investment follows the release of the NSW Aquaculture Vision Statement in 2024, which set a target of doubling the sector’s economic output by 2030. According to the government, aquaculture contributes almost $250 million annually to the state’s economy and supports around 2,200 jobs.
Projects receiving funding cover a range of initiatives, including oyster production, seaweed processing, inland fish processing, renewable energy, circular economy projects and aquaculture infrastructure upgrades.
Among the successful recipients is Armstrong Oysters Pty Ltd at Laurieton, which will receive $1.69 million to expand its Sydney Rock oyster nursery and increase the supply of juvenile oysters for commercial growers.
“Armstrong Oysters thanks the NSW Government for this funding, which will strengthen our hatchery/nursery capacity and deliver reliable, high-quality oyster stock for the industry,” said co-owner Brandon Armstrong.
“This investment will help Armstrong Oysters increase production and support the industry’s goal of doubling output by 2030.
“This project will improve supply and help build a stronger, more resilient NSW oyster industry.”
Ocean Watch has been awarded $1.3 million to work with aquaculture businesses and commercial fisheries to recover end of life plastics, shell waste, seafood offal and fish frames for conversion into bait and pet food products.
“This investment helps OceanWatch do what we do best — bring industry, science, government and communities together to solve practical environmental challenges,” said CEO Lowri Pryce.
“It will allow us to work directly with NSW oyster growers, fishers, co-operatives and seafood businesses to turn end-of-life plastics, shells, fish frames and seafood by-products into new circular economy products — reducing waste while creating value for regional communities.”
Australia Bay Lobster Producers at Chinderah will receive $2 million to construct a hatchery producing ornamental finfish, fingerlings for aquaculture businesses and stock for estuary restocking programs.
“This initiative will help promote ecologically sustainable land-based development, best-practice management, and grow investor confidence on sites like ABLP, which has Australia’s only dedicated temperate ocean intake seawater pipelines and services a developing aquaculture precinct in Northern NSW,” said managing director and founder Michael Dalton.
“The hatchery will grow ornamental finfish to supply the global public aquarium market and position the Tweed Shire as a leader in sustainable marine aquaculture, delivering integrated economic, environmental, and social benefits to boost regional prosperity and ecological sustainability.”
K&C Fisheries Global Pty Ltd at Lake Cargelligo has secured almost $1.95 million to establish an inland fish processing facility that will convert harvested European carp into aquaculture feed while supporting pest fish management.
Other funded projects include renewable energy upgrades for Deano’s Smoked Trout, automation at Wapengo Rocks Wild Organic Oysters, expansion of seaweed processing by Venus Shell Systems, and equipment for Joonga Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation to increase sea urchin processing and develop new products from processing byproducts.
“This $41 million investment demonstrates the NSW government’s commitment to building a modern, sustainable aquaculture sector and positioning NSW as the leader in quality seafood production and marine bioproducts,” said minister for agriculture and minister for regional NSW Tara Moriarty.
“This funding program is new to the industry and delivers on our plan to grow this unique sector so we can boost jobs and innovation along our coast and inland waterways now and into the future.”
