Nov 182013
 
Australian Fisheries Statistics 2012

Australian Fisheries Statistics 2012

Original story at Enviroinfo

Australia’s aquaculture industry now accounts for almost half of the nation’s fish production.

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Australian fisheries statistics 2012 annual report shows aquaculture has increased its share of fishery product earnings from 30 per cent to 46 per cent over the last decade.

Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Richard Colbeck, said most of the increase could be attributed to the fast-growing farmed fish sector.

“Farmed salmonids became the largest species group produced and increased earnings by 20 per cent in 2011-12. It remains Australia’s highest earning fisheries product at a value of $513 million.”

Senator Colbeck said the growth in the aquaculture industry vindicated the government’s plan to work with industry to develop a national aquaculture strategy.

“We want to further develop the aquaculture industry in Australia because there are huge opportunities to be had.

“The fisheries sector is vital to regional economies and the tens of thousands of people employed in the industry. Our national aquaculture strategy will create employment in regional areas and support the sector so it continues to grow into the future.”

Senator Colbeck said the report showed the total gross value of production of Australian fisheries increased three per cent to reach $2.3 billion.

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