Queensland Aquaculture Strategy 2024–2034

The Queensland Aquaculture Strategy 2024–2034 aims to ensure that Queensland is in the best position to make the most of the opportunities that aquaculture offers while balancing the environmental and social values which make our state great. The Strategy was a recommendation by the Future Fishing Taskforce and builds on the work of the Aquaculture Transformation Program and provides a clear direction for sustainable aquaculture into the future.

• Pillar 1: Productive industry

  While highly productive, aquaculture in Queensland is still a developing industry. There remain many opportunities to grow and enhance the state’s aquaculture industry into the future, including through investing in innovation and diversification, and taking advantage of opportunities presented by increasing demand for aquaculture products. Building greater resilience and competitiveness into Queensland’s aquaculture industry will also support productivity.

  What does success look like?

  Queensland aquaculture attracts investment and continues to grow into a leading primary industry for Queensland. High-quality seafood is innovatively and sustainably produced for Queenslanders and beyond, and industry is backed by a skilled workforce.

• Pillar 2: Environmental performance

  Queensland’s broad expanses and lengthy coastline are home to internationally significant biodiversity; our natural environment is pristine and unique.

  This environment is highly important to the people of Queensland and beyond. Our state’s Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cared for this land and coast for many thousands of years. They hold ongoing cultural rights and interests in conserving and protecting the environment and productive capacity of their land, territories, waters, coastal seas, and other resources.

  From an industry perspective, maintaining a healthy and well-managed natural environment is key to long-lasting productivity. Responding to challenges such as climate change, disaster preparedness and biosecurity will be a key part of Queensland’s environmental performance into the future. Sustainable aquaculture practices may also need to factor in broader commitments such as the delivery of land and catchment management targets under the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan and the goals under Conserving Nature—a Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Queensland (2022).

  Husbandry and welfare of aquaculture species is also a component of environmental performance. The health of farmed aquatic animals relies on and contributes to the environmental health of the surrounding environment, and contributes to overall productivity.

  What does success look like?

  The value of Queensland’s natural and cultural environment is protected and supports the sustainable production of seafood through aquaculture. The aquaculture industry is attuned to the state’s unique natural environment, is best practice and strives for continuous improvement.

• Pillar 3: Community benefits

  The investment of Queensland’s aquaculture industry continues to benefit rural and regional communities through supporting local jobs and economies. It is through these inputs that aquaculture indirectly contributes to local wellbeing and prosperity, including through providing employment opportunities for young people in regional communities.

  Aquaculture also presents an opportunity for First Nations Queenslanders to realise their economic aspirations. By working in partnership with First Nations operators and communities, there will be a better understanding of their interests in the future of Queensland’s aquaculture industry and how to strengthen their role.

  A sustainable Queensland aquaculture industry supports access to fresh, quality seafood for communities throughout our state and beyond. Meeting the needs of consumers and ensuring they are informed while maintaining commitment to robust environmental standards is key to the social acceptance of sustainable aquaculture.

  What does success look like?

  Aquaculture industry investment continues to benefit Queensland communities through supporting local jobs and regional economies. Queensland aquaculture products are recognised as sustainable and high-quality.

• Pillar 4: Contemporary governance and engagement

  Queensland’s aquaculture industry is governed by a robust regulatory framework which aims to ensure that we can make the most of the opportunities that aquaculture offers, whilst balancing the environmental and social values which make our state great.

  Effective partnerships between government, industry and broader stakeholders are critical to achieving the vision for aquaculture In Queensland. Ongoing communication and collaboration across government, industry, First Nations representatives, research organisations, and the community is key, and actions under the strategy seek to foster this ongoing engagement.

  What does success look like?

  Queensland’s regulatory framework for aquaculture is fit for-purpose, considers and balances the needs of all stakeholders, including through strong engagement.

• Governance and oversight

  1. Establish an aquaculture Stakeholder Reference Group (reference group) to ensure effective ongoing engagement with industry, universities, research organisations, First Nations groups, NGOs and other key stakeholders.
  2. Establish a program management function within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to support implementation of the strategy.
  3. Develop and publish a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework to assess implementation of this Strategy and development of the aquaculture industry.
  4. Conduct a mid-point review in 2029 to assess progress and refocus efforts and initiatives, as necessary, for the remaining five years of implementation.
  5. Continue to engage with the Federal Government including its review of the National Aquaculture Strategy 2017, outlined in the Australian Government Aquaculture Statement 2024.
  6. Review Queensland Government progress to date towards the supported recommendations of the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) report on Aquaculture Regulation in Queensland (2014)
  7. Review Queensland Government progress to date towards the DAF-led Aquaculture Transformation Program (and its incorporation into this Strategy).

• Communication and guidance

  8. Develop an aquaculture communication and engagement strategy.
  9. Review and update online materials available through the DAF and Business Queensland websites relating to aquaculture.
  10. Develop a new aquaculture toolkit to better support aquaculture business proponents to navigate regulatory pathways relevant for aquaculture.
  11. Work with industry to build its capacity to promote and develop the Queensland seafood brand.

• Business establishment and extension support

  12. Design and establish a limited aquaculture grants program to support:
      1. establishment of First Nations aquaculture businesses including for business development support, skills and training, and navigating regulatory processes,
      2. Engage and work in partnership with First Nations Queenslanders to better understand their aspirations for aquaculture including through a dedicated extension officer.
  13. As part of implementation of all actions under this Strategy, ensure that agencies consider the interests and perspectives of First Nations communities and Traditional Custodians.
  14. Continue and enhance existing extension services to the aquaculture industry.
  15. Review the impact of Aquaculture Development Areas (ADAs) on the growth of Queensland’s aquaculture industry.
  16. Investigateways to enhance the collection of aquaculture supply chain and market data, as well as independent accreditation data.
  17. projects, equipment or technology supporting innovation in processes
  18. Review and publish high-level, de-identified information on independent accreditation status of Queensland aquaculture producers.

• Biosecurity capability

  19. Build laboratory diagnostic capacity to support health certification and disease investigation in aquaculture.
  20. Enhance biosecurity-industry liaison and extension services for operators in the Queensland aquaculture industry.
  21. Broaden investigation training in instances where there are unusual aquaculture mortality events.
  22. Continue to monitor emerging animal welfare issues and consider opportunities to optimise the welfare of animals used in Queensland aquaculture.

• Research and development

  23. Develop and publish an aquaculture research and development plan in consultation with key stakeholders.
  24. Undertake research investigating innovative and cost-effective waste treatment and management for aquaculture.
  25. Continue implementation of recommendations made in the Review of Nutrient Release from Aquaculture Activities.

  Improving operational efficiency of farm systems

  26. Undertake research to identify and evaluate innovative technology to support more energy efficient farming equipment and systems for the aquaculture industry.
  27. Undertake research to develop and assess technology to improve automation and digitisation to reduce farm labour costs for the aquaculture industry.

  Diversification of aquaculture products

  28. Undertake research to investigate diversification of aquaculture production to grow supply and develop a more diverse range of Queensland aquaculture products.
  29. Undertake research to increase product value and diversity in Queensland's aquaculture industry by reviewing market trends, understanding consumer preferences, and creating new value-added products.

  Industry support and farm-scale demonstration sites

  30. Investigate the feasibility of developing and piloting an aquaculture demonstration site outside of south-east Queensland to highlight research and innovation and provide training and extension opportunities.
  31. Establish a Recirculating Aquaculture System demonstration site for proponents to trial novel technologies and strategies to overcome barriers to industry expansion and uptake.

• Skills and training

  32. Convene a skills and workforce roundtable with industry to identify aquaculture employment pathways and priority skill needs to respond to workforce challenges in the industry.