Aquaculture now represents a major share of seafood value

Australia’s aquaculture industry has already exceeded the original national ambition of reaching a value of A$2 billion annually. Government estimates indicate that the real gross value of aquaculture production reached approximately A$2.31 billion in 2024–25, accounting for around 58% of the total value of Australia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Earlier federal projections suggested aquaculture could represent as much as 64% of Australia’s total seafood production value by 2028–29. Although production values can fluctuate with prices, biological conditions, and harvest volumes, the longer-term direction remains clear: farmed seafood is taking an increasingly prominent role in the national seafood economy.

National strategy provides a framework for growth

Australia’s National Aquaculture Strategy established a coordinated framework for governments and industry to support long-term development. Its priorities include:

• Reducing unnecessary regulatory burden while maintaining environmental and food-safety protections.
• Improving domestic and international market access.
• Strengthening aquatic animal biosecurity.
• Encouraging research, development, extension, and innovation.
• Attracting investment into farms, hatcheries, processing, and infrastructure.
• Improving environmental performance and public confidence.
• Supporting education, training, and workforce development.

These priorities recognize that aquaculture growth depends on more than establishing new farms. Businesses also require reliable approvals, suitable sites, skilled workers, disease surveillance, processing capacity, transport links, and access to research capable of solving commercial production problems.

New South Wales adds investment momentum

State-level programs are translating national ambitions into practical investment. In New South Wales, the government is supporting dozens of aquaculture projects intended to increase productivity, create regional employment, strengthen climate resilience, and expand sustainable seafood production.

A 2026 funding round committed approximately A$27 million in government investment across 31 projects. Participating businesses are contributing close to another A$14 million, bringing the combined investment to approximately A$41 million.

Supported activities span a diverse range of operations, including:

• Oyster and mussel farming
• Kelp and algae production
• Freshwater and marine fish hatcheries
• Automation and farm modernization
• Seafood by-product recovery
• Biofertilizer and circular-economy projects
• Solar-powered and lower-carbon production systems

Innovation is expanding the definition of aquaculture

Aquaculture growth is no longer limited to producing more fish in conventional farming systems. The sector is expanding into new technologies and biological resources, including seaweed cultivation, algae, selective breeding, advanced hatcheries, digital monitoring, automated feeding, water-quality sensors, and waste-recovery systems.

Automation can help farms improve feeding precision, monitor animal behavior, reduce labor demands, and respond more quickly to changes in oxygen, temperature, salinity, or water quality. Better monitoring may also reduce feed waste and improve survival, supporting both economic and environmental performance.

Seaweed and algae offer another area of opportunity. In addition to direct food applications, these crops may be used in animal feed, fertilizers, bioproducts, packaging materials, and environmental projects. Their development could create new revenue streams while diversifying coastal aquaculture beyond traditional shellfish and finfish.

Sustainability remains central to expansion

Long-term growth depends on the sector’s ability to demonstrate that increased output can be achieved while protecting ecosystems, animal health, water quality, and surrounding communities.

Important sustainability priorities include:

• Improving feed efficiency and reducing nutrient losses.
• Managing waste and recovering seafood by-products.
• Protecting water quality and benthic environments.
• Reducing energy use and carbon emissions.
• Building resilience to warming waters and extreme weather.
• Preventing escapes and interactions with wild populations.
• Maintaining animal welfare and health standards.

Sustainability is therefore not separate from commercial growth. Efficient use of feed, energy, water, labor, and infrastructure can lower production costs while reducing environmental pressure.

Biosecurity is essential for investor confidence

As aquaculture production intensifies, aquatic animal health and biosecurity become increasingly important. Disease outbreaks can cause major animal losses, restrict movement, interrupt trade, and weaken confidence in new investment.

Australia’s aquatic animal health framework focuses on border protection, farm-level biosecurity, surveillance, diagnostic capacity, emergency preparedness, veterinary medicines, research, and international trade.

For producers, this means that future expansion must be supported by strong hatchery health, reliable diagnostic services, effective farm protocols, and rapid reporting systems. Preventing disease is generally more economical than managing a large outbreak after it has become established.

Regional economies stand to benefit

Many aquaculture businesses operate in coastal or regional communities where new investment can support skilled employment, processing, transport, engineering, vessel services, laboratories, equipment suppliers, and tourism-linked seafood markets.

Expansion may also create opportunities for Aboriginal enterprises connected to sea country, particularly where development aligns with cultural, environmental, and economic priorities determined by local communities.

The wider economic value of aquaculture therefore extends beyond farm-gate production. A successful project can stimulate local processing, supply businesses, research partnerships, education, and regional infrastructure.

What growth means for consumers

For Australian consumers, a larger and more diverse aquaculture industry could improve the availability of locally produced seafood and reduce dependence on imported products in selected categories.

More stable domestic production may also provide retailers and foodservice businesses with greater supply consistency, improved traceability, and access to products developed for local market preferences.

Consumer confidence will nevertheless depend on transparent communication about production methods, origin, animal welfare, environmental monitoring, and food safety. Growth must therefore be accompanied by credible assurance systems and clear labeling.

Looking ahead

Australia’s aquaculture sector is entering a period of increased commercial opportunity. Government support, private co-investment, stronger research capacity, and rising demand are creating favorable conditions for expansion.

However, long-term success will depend on whether the industry can scale without weakening its environmental performance, biosecurity, social licence, or product quality. Regulatory clarity, access to suitable farming areas, skilled labor, processing capacity, and continued innovation will remain essential.