December 4, 2007

Australian company bags top environment award

Australia-based Australis Aquaculture won the "Special Award for Environment" at the 7th Annual Australian Sustainability Awards for its approach to Barramundi farming.

The awards, held in Melbourne last week, recognised excellence in Australian Stock Exchange listed companies across corporate sustainability factors.

Australis,a member of the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association, pioneered in indoor recirculating aquaculture technology that uses a closed loop system to minimize water consumption, isolates fish stocks from the surrounding environment, reduces feed requirements and generally minimizes the environmental impact of the facility.

The company was selected for the environment award against strong competition from Corporate Express, Westpac, Mirvac, ANZ Banking Group, Energy Developments, The GPT Group, Stockland, IAG Insurance Group, Transpacific Industries Group and Transurban.

Director David O'Sullivan said the award would put Australian seafood producers in the limelight for environmental stewardship.

Australis operates a 10,000-square-meter facility in the US with output capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes per annum.