#Aquaculture

Australia has the third largest marine area in the world and the ‘blue economy’ already contributes more than $81 billion* to the nation’s bottom line. And like land-based agriculture, there’s increasing pressure for the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and to produce food and energy, while conserving the ecosystem.

Part of the Harvest Road stable, the Leeuwin Coast aquaculture and seafood brand can genuinely boast that it is one-of-a-kind – on multiple fronts. The launch of the Akoya, a novel shellfish category, is capturing the attention of conscious consumers and discerning foodies around the world.

Owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest, Harvest Road Group is part of Tattarang, one of Australia’s largest private investment groups. As a proud Western Australian end-to-end agrifood producer, the company is rewriting the script when it comes to animal welfare and environmental sustainability across its premium beef, aquaculture and horticulture businesses.

Western Australian startup, Aquatic AI is leading the charge with a fully automated vertical aquaculture system for marron crayfish – set to rival the iconic WA rock lobster industry. Co-founders, Andrew Walker and Michael Storey are seeking investment to develop a scaled supply chain for premium export markets.

Australian aquaculture and biotech company, Pacific Biotechnologies, has developed a better way to farm prawns. Its Pacific Reef Fisheries operation earned Australia’s first Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification for responsible and sustainable prawn farming. Now, the opportunity exists for a new owner to expand this market-leading business and put locally grown sustainable prawns on more Australian dinner plates.

Huon Aquaculture has grown from a sideline business to an internationally-recognised supplier of farmed salmon, but for executive director Frances Bender, it’s the quiet things that really matter.