What it covers
Australia's aquaculture sector is the fastest-growing segment of seafood production — concentrated in Tasmania, SA, and tropical northern farms. World-class biosecurity and feed standards.
Key facts
- Atlantic salmon (Tasmania) is the largest single segment
- Sydney Rock and Pacific oyster farms across NSW, SA, and Tasmania
- Barramundi farmed in cages and ponds across QLD, NT, and SA
- South Sea pearls farmed off the Kimberley coast (WA)
- Mussel long-lines in Tasmania, Victoria, and SA
- Strict biosecurity and Veterinary Health Plans for finfish
By the numbers
$1.6B+Annual aquaculture production value
ASC/BAPMajor certification schemes used by Aussie farms
Tas/SATwo states producing the bulk of farmed seafood
ZeroHormone or growth-promotant use
Workforce & economy
Workforce
Direct: ~5,000 direct jobs
Indirect: ~10,000 indirect (feed mills, hatcheries, processing, vets, logistics)
Regions: TASSA (Eyre Peninsula)NSW (oysters)QLD (barramundi, prawns)NTWA (pearls, barramundi)
Economic impact
GVP: $1.9B annual GVP — now larger than wild catch by value
Exports: $0.3B exports (salmon, oysters, pearls)
Domestic: Most farmed product (salmon, barramundi, oysters, mussels) is consumed domestically.
Key producers & operators
Cone Bay Barramundi (MPA Group)Kimberley, WA
Sea-cage barramundi
Coffin Bay Oyster FarmSouth Australia
Pacific oysters
Sydney Rock Oyster growers (NSW)Hawkesbury, Wallis Lake, Port Stephens
Sydney rock oysters
Industry bodies
Regulation
Frameworks & schemes
- Marine Farming Development Plans (TAS)
- Aquaculture leases (state-administered)
- Veterinary Health Plans for finfish
- Translocation protocols — Strict rules on moving live aquatic animals between catchments.
Certifications
- ASC — Aquaculture Stewardship Council — Used by Tassal, Huon, Petuna for salmon and trout.
- BAP — Best Aquaculture Practices — Used across barramundi and salmon farms.
- RSPCA Approved Farming — Used by some salmon producers for welfare standards.
History
- 1872Sydney rock oyster cultivation begins commercially in NSW.
- 1947First commercial pearl farm at Kuri Bay, WA (Paspaley).
- 1985First Atlantic salmon eggs imported to Tasmania.
- 1986First commercial salmon harvest in Tasmania.
- 1989Pacific oysters established in SA's Coffin Bay.
- 2008Barramundi sea-cage farming begins at Cone Bay, WA.
- 2015Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) outbreak in NSW and TAS.
- 2024Australian aquaculture surpasses $1.9B GVP — now larger than wild catch.
Key reports
Challenges
Marine heatwavesTasmanian waters warming faster than global average; oxygen stress in salmon farms.
POMS in oystersPacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome devastated some NSW estuaries from 2015.
Social licenceSalmon-farm siting in Macquarie Harbour and Storm Bay subject to ongoing community debate.
Feed sustainabilityReducing wild-fish inputs in salmonid feed; growing use of plant and insect proteins.
Sources
Sources cited on this page
- Tasmanian salmonid industry at a glance — Salmon Tasmania, 2024
- Australian Barramundi Farmers Association — industry data — Australian Barramundi Farmers Association, 2024
- Oysters Australia peak body — Oysters Australia Ltd, 2024
- Australian seafood industry — economic contribution — Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, 2023
- Australian fisheries and aquaculture statistics 2023 — ABARES (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), 2024
Annual statistical compendium covering volume, value, exports, employment.
- The Guardian — Tasmanian salmon industry coverage — Guardian Australia, 2024