More Aussie oysters could soon be on the menu as NSW growers welcome $20 million in funding to further develop the state’s aquaculture sector.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty has announced a new Aquaculture Industry
Development Program would deliver grants of up to $2 million for projects enabling oyster growers to upgrade their infrastructure and enhance their operation’s sustainability.
NSW Farmers' President Xavier Martin said the program had come as positive news for oyster growers as they battled the ongoing impacts of floods, disease and water quality issues along NSW’s coast.
“Recent challenges have taken a huge toll on our oyster growers, and investment in the industry has never been more critical,” Mr Martin said.
“Aquaculture puts world-class produce on tables, but it also provides a whole range of careers, environmental benefits and real economic growth for the regions.
“Enabling our oyster growers to recover from recent events – and rebuild back better – is essential if we want to ensure the longevity of the industry, and its ability to adapt and overcome the extremes.”
The program comes as a major step forward in the delivery of the NSW Aquaculture
Vision Statement, which aims to double the value of the sector to $300 million by 2030.
“Aquaculture is widely recognised as one of the fastest-growing food production sectors globally, so we know the world’s our oyster when it comes to the opportunities in the sector that we could unlock,” Mr Martin said.
“Oysters are Australia’s favourite celebration food, and we want to see this industry continue to succeed.”