December 16, 2004

Aquaculture Industry in Australia's Northern Territory Geared for Expansion

The Northern Territory's aquaculture industry in Australia has plans to see barramundi, pearl, prawn and sea cucumber farms spring up across the Top End.

According to the Territory Fisheries Minister Kon Vatskalis, the aquaculture industry is expected to quadruple in size over the next five years to $120 million a year.

The department will work with industry to ensure the farms are ecologically sustainable.

He said it is just as important to prevent poor quality product from flooding the market.

"I don't think there'll be an over-supply of good quality seafood like barramundi," he added.

"The demand is great, not only in Australia, but overseas as well. There's always greater demand for good quality food product by Europeans, by Americans, and even by developing countries in Asia."