In the 2006/07 financial year there were 457 licensed aquaculture producers in Western Australia. The farm gate value of aquaculture production in WA (excluding marine algae and pearl oysters)
was over $6.7 million.
The most valuable industry sector was mussels ($1.8 million), followed by marron ($1.6 million),
yabbies ($1.3 million), silver perch ($0.32 million) and barramundi ($0.31 million).
Pearl farming
For more information see www.fish.wa.gov.au/sec/aqua/species/Pearling.php?0308
Western Australia has a valuable and successful pearling industry, worth around $200m annually, and is the world's top producer of prized silver- white South Sea pearls. Wild pearl oysters are collected by divers in waters off the WA coast between Cape Leveque and Exmouth. The pearling industry is carefully regulated in WA - licensees have strict quotas (the entire industry currently has an annual quota of 572 units, with the value of one unit normally 1,000 shells), shells must be a minimum size of 120 mm, and collection zones are designated.
The purpose of quotas is to ensure sustainability of wild stock and optimise value to the community by maintaining prices. The industry can also plan long-term operational and marketing strategies with an expectation of stability.
The Aquaculture Council of Western Australia (ACWA) is the State's peak aquaculture industry body. ACWA prides itself on being a member driven organisation who works on behalf of its members to create benefits that ensure a profitable future for its members and a viable future for Western Australia's aquaculture industry.
Presently, ACWA's membership represents over 90% of both the current and future industry earnings of the Western Australian aquaculture industry, and consists of Institutions, Corporatations, Aquaculture Sector Associations and individual members. |
