MORE than 25 different species are farmed in aquaculture enterprises in WA, according to the WA Fishing Industry Council.
The industry is highly diverse, encompassing pearl farming at Broome, marron farming in the South West and barramundi farming in sea cages in Lake Argyle.
Annual production in the pearling industry is worth $170 million, far outstripping the production value of all other species.
Marron farming is the largest sector by number of producers, with more than 280 licences on issue. Dr Craig Lawrence, one of WA’s top marron aquaculture scientists, leads research that is expected to result in a significant increase in marron yields.
Environmental approval has been granted to increase annual barramundi production in Lake Argyle from 100 tonnes to 500 tonnes. The industry has the potential to provide an assured supply of quality fish, taking pressure off wild fisheries.