Despite concerns it could threaten wild abalone stocks, Western Australia’s first commercial abalone farm looks set to go-ahead, thanks to environment minister, Albert Jacob.
According to The West Australian, Jacob dismissed an appeal against a decision by the state’s environmental watchdog to not assess the Ocean Grown Abalone proposal.
The company has been running a 40ha pilot project in Flinders Bay, but wants to treble the area to make it commercially viable.
While Jacob noted that there were concerns about the biosecurity risk associated with the farm, he believes the Environmental Protection Authority’s original decision was justified and that the project can be adequately managed by the Department of Fisheries.
The Abalone Industry Association of WA, instigated the appeal on the grounds that Ocean Grown's plans could introduce disease into wild stocks and compromise the fishery's genetic diversity.
The Fisheries Department hasn’t yet granted Ocean Grown a lease for the expanded project.