Tasmanian seafood production is approaching the $1 billion mark, driven by strong demand within the state, nationally and internationally.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Tasmanian Agri-Food ScoreCard 2015-2016, released earlier this month, valued seafood production at $911 million and showed 10.4 per cent growth.
Valued at $704 million, salmonids was the major seafood contributor, growing in volume by 16 per cent and value by 14 per cent.
Wild catch rock lobster and abalone both grew in value, by 6 per cent to $95 million and 2 per cent to $83 million, respectively.
Aquaculture and wild catch sectors grew in value, Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council chief executive Julian Harrington said.
“This growth represents very strong demand for quality, sustainable product both domestically (salmon) and in the Chinese export market,” Mr Harrington said.
The recently completed Seafood Industry Workforce Profile shows employment in salmonid aquaculture could be up to five times the direct employment figure, Mr Harrington said.
Seafood-related employment in Tasmania could be “somewhere in the vicinity of 17,000 people”, he said.
Growth and future employment in the seafood industry look strong, Mr Harrington said.
“Tasmania is lucky to have some of the world’s best fisheries/aquaculture scientists, who are providing the robust scientific information and advice that drives our world’s best management regimes. This system will ensure long-term sustainability and, where possible, growth,” Mr Harrington said.
RELATED STORY: