Blue Economy

Zone

Bass Strait Aquaculture Research Trial in Commonwealth Waters

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 establishing, commissioning, operating, evaluating, and decommissioning a multi-species aquaculture research trial in the Commonwealth Waters of Bass Strait, known as the Blue Economy Zone.

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

TRIAL PROGRESS:

RESEARCH

The Site

Stock

Marine Debris

Infrastructure

Wildlife

Environment

Blue Economy Zone Community

Community

Team

Documentation

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Trial Site

The 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.

In 2024, the Blue Economy CRC Research team consulted on varied Research Trial Site coordinates to those previously consulted on and outlined within the 2022 MOU.

The variation to the Trial site location was approved in 2024 through an exchange of letters in accordance with the MOU. The new site provides for more suitable benthic conditions, deeper water and safer positioning of infrastructure given known sea and wind characteristics.

The broader Fisheries Arrangement Area has not changed.

LOCATION

The 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 Research Trial Site within existing MOU Fisheries Arrangements Area.

Table 1. Coordinates of 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

OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES

OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES

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 BE CRC Research portfolio and reports and communication material

Current Progress: Trial Commenced

Trial Site commissioning officially commenced in mid-May 2025 for the Bass Strait Blue Economy Zone Aquaculture Research Trial.

The first stocking of fish (Tasmanian Atlantic salmon) took place from 1st – 3rd August, 2025. This timing was subject to site readiness, site approval and weather conditions.

Looking ahead, the project timeline includes a second finfish stocking phase planned for October 2025.

These milestones represent a significant step forward in sustainable aquaculture research for Commonwealth Waters.

APPROVALS

The Research Trial has received:

  • Approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Read the Notification of referral decision – not controlled action if taken in a particular manner at (EPBC Number: 2024/09946).

  • Approval under the Tasmanian Government Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 and pursuant to section 6.1 (a) of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Crown in Right of Tasmania to support the implementation and operation of an aquaculture research trial in Commonwealth waters adjoining Tasmanian Waters in Bass Strait (the MoU).

SUPPORT

2023-206 Blue Economy Zone – Australia’s first aquaculture research trial in Commonwealth waters” is led by the Blue Economy CRC, with funding from Blue Economy CRC, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.

CONVERSATIONS

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