Blue Economy Zone

Proposed Bass Strait Aquaculture Research Trial in Commonwealth Waters

OVERVIEW

The Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre is delivering a targeted research portfolio to understand challenges and opportunities for sustainable ocean economic development in Australia.

As part of this, we are proposing to establish, commission, operate, evaluate, and decommission a multi-species aquaculture research trial in the Commonwealth Waters of Bass Strait.

This research trial is fundamental to building awareness, confidence and readiness to support the governance reform required to introduce multi-species aquaculture into Commonwealth waters.

PROPOSED TRIAL SITE

The proposed Research Trial Site is in Commonwealth waters, adjacent to Tasmanian coastal waters and approximately 12km off the coast of Burnie, Tasmania. The Trial Site is characterised by open ocean, higher energy, deeper waters and stronger currents.

Figure 1. Location of Proposed Trial site within existing MOU Fisheries Arrangements Area.

Table 1. Coordinates of Proposed trial site.

	E	N	Lat	Long
NW	409626	5467732	40.936546964	145.926455813
SW	410251	5466838	40.944667894	145.933749403
NE	410412	5468282	40.931679776	145.935870587
SE	411038	5467389	40.939791227	145.943176841

The proposed Research Trial Site sits within a Blue Economy Zone (BEZ), which is an open ocean site for research focused aquaculture and renewable energy activities and is supported by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Commonwealth and Tasmanian governments.

The Commonwealth Government has previously consulted on a Fisheries Arrangement Area and an initial trial site in 2022.

Varied Research Trial Site coordinates to those consulted on and outlined within the 2022 MOU are proposed.

The variation provides for more suitable benthic conditions, deeper water and safer positioning of infrastructure given known sea and wind characteristics.

The broader Fisheries Arrangement Area remains the same.

PROPOSED RESEARCH ACTIVITY

The proposed trial is a three-year research program designed to test the capability of existing and new sustainable offshore/high-energy aquaculture farming systems for finfish (Tasmanian Atlantic salmon and kingfish).

The proposed trial involves commissioning a mooring grid, where two pens will be active for fin-fish production. Each active pen will stock 15,000 fish and will be farmed using a hybrid of high-energy precision farming and traditional farming.

The trial will be undertaken through partnering with industry, university and government BECRC participants, as well as technical experts on finfish aquaculture systems, while exploring opportunities for seaweed and shellfish and the potential for co-located renewable energy generation.

The objectives of the research activity include:

1

To assess the operational feasibility and suitability of open ocean aquaculture in Commonwealth waters.
2

To assess and examine the environmental conditions of the research trial site and surrounds and monitor and mitigate impacts on the environment and wildlife.
3

To assess the financial and economic viability of sustainable aquaculture in Commonwealth waters, and benefits for local economies.
4

To assess the impacts on other marine users.
5

To understand and monitor community sentiment.
6

To develop and assess models for future governance of aquaculture in Commonwealth waters, including workplace safety frameworks.

The primary outcomes & outputs of the trial include:

1

Australia’s first in-water research trial/demonstration for aquaculture in Commonwealth Waters
2
Handbook of open ocean aquaculture/Blueprint of future farms, including, but not limited to:
- Annual Research Trial outcomes reporting (as outlined in the MOU information sharing section)
- A synthesis of the full Research Trial findings (as outlined in the MOU information sharing section) against the Research and Operational Plan pillars
- Compilation of best practice learnings for industry extension
- Smart Farming database
- An offshore/high energy farm carbon footprint assessment
- A Health and safety framework
3

Advisory on future governance models for aquaculture in Commonwealth waters
4

Associated BECRC Research portfolio and reports and communication material

The objectives of the research activity include:

1

To assess the operational feasibility and suitability of open ocean aquaculture in Commonwealth waters.
2

To assess and examine the environmental conditions of the research trial site and surrounds and monitor and mitigate impacts on the environment and wildlife.
3

To assess the financial and economic viability of sustainable aquaculture in Commonwealth waters, and benefits for local economies.
4

To assess the impacts on other marine users.
5

To understand and monitor community sentiment.
6

To develop and assess models for future governance of aquaculture in Commonwealth waters, including workplace safety frameworks.

The primary outcomes & outputs of the trial include:

1

Australia’s first in-water research trial/demonstration for aquaculture in Commonwealth Waters
2
Handbook of open ocean aquaculture/Blueprint of future farms, including, but not limited to:
- Annual Research Trial outcomes reporting (as outlined in the MOU information sharing section)
- A synthesis of the full Research Trial findings (as outlined in the MOU information sharing section) against the Research and Operational Plan pillars
- Compilation of best practice learnings for industry extension
- Smart Farming database
- An offshore/high energy farm carbon footprint assessment
- A Health and safety framework
3

Advisory on future governance models for aquaculture in Commonwealth waters
4

Associated BECRC Research portfolio and reports and communication material

RESOURCES

Proposed Trial Site Description

Proposed Trial Activity Description

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth & Tasmania

Commercial Fishing Data Assessment

Matters of National Environmental Significance – Identification and Impact Assessment

Baseline Survey of the Blue Economy Zone

Att 6 – SP Marine enviro assessment 19082024

Marine Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Blue Economy Zone Trial Site

Wildlife Management Plan

Biosecurity Management Plan

Waste Management Plan

Proposed Monitoring Program

Our Community Advisory Group

We are establishing a Community Advisory Group (CAG) to advise upon other user and community perspectives on the Research Trial and other ocean estate matters associated with new, emerging and transitioning ocean industries.

It will deliver a schedule of deep dives into the research (i.e. site characterisation, wildlife interactions, benthic surveys, finfish welfare, precision farming etc) and include a series of site visits as appropriate.

Membership skills and experiences being sought include:

Independent Chair
Local Council
Indigenous
Project Cultural Navigator
Fisheries peak
Recreational peak
Aquaculture peak
ENGO rep
BE CRC (secretariat)
BE CRC (The Blue Economy CRC participant Griffith University Ethics team will provide advice and ongoing evaluation).

An expression of interest process will be activated shortly.

WHAT WE HEARD

As part of the ongoing Engagement Series, we are sharing the ‘What we Heard” Report that summarised consultation and engagement actives undertaken, feedback collected, and values identified.

This report has been provided to Commonwealth and State government.

DOWNLOAD REPORT

TRIAL APPROVALS

The trial is under consideration by the Federal Government – see our EPBC Act referral (EPBC Number: 2024/09946) to read the EPBC Referral. The trial is also under consideration by the Tasmanian Government.

More information on ethics approval and biosecurity approval to come.