Blue Economy
Zone
Questions
The Blue Economy CRC is conducting a research-scale multi-species aquaculture research trial approximately 12 kilometres off the coast of Burnie.
The trial site commissioning process commenced in mid-May 2025.
The aquaculture farming vessels operating out of the Port of Burnie are special heavy-lift work barges that have been temporarily brough to Burnie to assist with deployment of the mooring system and navigational markers that are necessary for the research trial establishment.
The commissioning process is expected to take several weeks. If weather conditions are unsuitable, the commissioning process may take an additional 1-2 weeks.
Commissioning of the Research Trial Site involves deploying the following equipment:
- Four corner markers and associated mooring blocks and lines. Corner markers will clearly identify the site to other ocean users. The corner markers will display a yellow flashing light that must be visible from 5 nautical miles distance in accordance with safety requirements.
- A 4 pen bay mooring grid. The mooring grid consists of series of anchors, concrete mooring blocks, chain, connector plates and ropes, all of which sits on the bottom or a minimum of 10 metres below the surface.
- Nine grid can buoys. The grid can buoys sit on the surface and hold the centre part of the mooring grid at a set distance (10 metres) below the surface.
- Two floating fish ‘collars’. The fish collars are 120m in circumference with a raised handrail. They are attached via bridles to the submerged mooring grid. The pens will initially sit at the site in an un-rigged configuration.
Initially the trial will consist of a submerged mooring grid and 2 un-rigged floating fish collars. The nets and remaining gear will be added prior to the introduction of the fish in July.
The research trial will stock Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon in mid July 2025, and kingfish in October 2025.
The proposal for the Bass Strait aquaculture Research Trial has undergone a rigorous assessment and approval process. The proposal has received consent from the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and under the Tasmanian Government Living Marine Resources Management Act.
The Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is conducting this research trial. The CRC brings together over 40 industry, government, and research partners from multiple countries. The trial is a three-year research program designed to test sustainable offshore aquaculture farming systems for Tasmanian Atlantic salmon and kingfish. It aims to assess operational feasibility, examine environmental conditions, evaluate economic viability, assess impacts on other marine users, monitor community sentiment, and develop governance models for aquaculture in Commonwealth waters.
Part of the research trial’s objectives is to assess the impacts on other marine users, including commercial and recreational fishers. The site is clearly marked with navigational markers visible from 5 nautical miles to ensure safety for all ocean users. The Blue Economy CRC has established a Community and Offshore Ocean User Advisory Group to engage with local stakeholders and address any concerns throughout the trial period.
No, public access to the Research Trial Site is restricted. The Tasmanian Government has signed an order designating the area as a research area with restricted access. This restriction is in accordance with the “Tasmanian Policy for Marine Aquaculture Research Activities in Adjacent Commonwealth Waters” (July 2023) and is implemented for several important reasons:
- To protect the research infrastructure from accidental or intentional damage.
- To ensure the safety of non-research vessels that might otherwise interact with surface and submerged infrastructure.
- To maintain the safety of research trial staff conducting work at the site.
- To mitigate biosecurity risks and protect the health and wellbeing of fish stocks.
Only vessels that are officially part of the Research Trial are permitted within the boundaries marked by the four corner markers. These restrictions are similar to those applied to commercial finfish aquaculture operations in Tasmanian waters and other research trials like the BECRC Kelp Research Trial in the Derwent River. Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) has been consulted regarding these safety measures. The restrictions will be in place before the May 2025 commissioning and throughout the duration of the trial.
Atlantic salmon and kingfish were selected for their complementary biological characteristics suited to Bass Strait conditions. Salmon thrive in cooler waters with established farming protocols in Tasmania providing a scientific baseline. Kingfish prefer warmer temperatures and possess strong swimming capabilities ideal for high-energy offshore environments. This pairing allows researchers to study how different commercial species respond to offshore conditions including deeper waters, stronger currents, and more stable temperatures, potentially yielding improved growth rates and lessened disease risk.
Yes, environmental monitoring is a key component of the research trial. The Blue Economy CRC will be conducting regular environmental assessments including site characterisation, wildlife interactions, benthic surveys, and finfish welfare monitoring. The trial has received approval under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and the Living Marine Resources Management Act, which includes specific conditions to monitor, report, and mitigate environmental impacts.
The research trial site will be maintained using service vessels and a special heavy-lift work barge operating out of the Port of Burnie. The site will be managed using a hybrid of high-energy precision farming and traditional farming techniques. The mooring grid and equipment will be regularly inspected and maintained throughout the three-year research period.
Yes, the Blue Economy CRC has committed to transparency regarding the research findings. The primary outcomes of the trial will include quarterly routine reports, annual trial reports, a synthesis of the full Research Trial findings against the Research and Operational Plan pillars, and a compilation of best practice learnings for industry extension. The CRC has also established a Community Advisory Group that will receive regular updates and “deep dives” into the research.
For questions or concerns, community members can contact the Blue Economy CRC through their website (blueeconomycrc.com.au), Ange and Simon on oceanambition@blueeconomycrc.com.au, or attend community engagement events that will be held throughout the trial period.
The Blue Economy CRC has also established a Community and Offshore Ocean User Advisory Group specifically for engagement with the public.
The three-year research program includes plans for the decommissioning of the site after the trial concludes. Complete decommissioning plans can be obtained from the Blue Economy CRC’s project documentation.
This research aims to benefit the local community and Tasmania by exploring sustainable economic opportunities in the blue economy. The CRC is assessing the financial and economic viability of sustainable aquaculture in Commonwealth waters and the benefits for local economies. The project also supports Australia’s position as a leader in marine research and sustainable aquaculture, creating jobs, advancing technology, and potentially establishing a new sustainable industry for the region, State and nation.
The fish feed for use at the Blue Economy Zone is being sourced from Skretting Australia.
Skretting is a global leader in providing nutritional solutions and services for the aquaculture industry. They are the aquaculture division of Nutreco, a global leader in animal nutrition. Skretting produces and delivers high-quality feeds for over 60 species of fish and shrimp, from hatching to harvest around the world. Their operations span 18 countries across five continents, with a central office in Stavanger, Norway. Skretting’s mission is “Feeding the Future” with focus on innovative and sustainable solutions for the aquaculture sector.
As part of the global Skretting and Nutreco family, Skretting Australia is built on the expertise, dedication, and diverse talents of our team. With 25 years of heritage in Tasmania, we are the industry leaders in providing high quality, sustainable, and innovative feed solutions to the Australian and New Zealand aquaculture industries. The knowledge, passion and commitment held by our small team of 120 people has been key to our success in delivering excellence across our commitments to people, planet, and performance.
Please refer to Chapter 5 in Skretting Australia’s 2024 Impact Report to find detailed information about the ingredients in the feed they produce.
ska-impact-report—2024_final2.pdf
Further information about feed formulation (e.g. in relation to matters such as hormones and antibiotics) is available on Skretting’s FAQ web pages.
Questions You’ve Asked
We assembled two pens at Macquarie Harbour and towed them to the research trial site. Each pen consisted of a floating collar with above water handrail and seal jump fence. There was no below-surface infrastructure attached to the pens prior to their transport.
One of the trial pens is stocked. The first stocking of 15,000 250gram Tasmanian Atlantic salmon smolt took place 1-2 August 2025. This date was later than initially communicated due to weather and operational factors. They were transported out to the site on a heavy works vessel.
We are stocking diploid salmon.
The second (and final) stocking of fish (kingfish) is planned for stocking around October/November. Exact date will be guided by sourcing, weather and operational factors. for sourcing kingfish is in progress. They will be Seriola lalandi – the same species that is widespread around southern Australian coastlines. We will share more information closer to the date.
We are working to a December 2027 completion of the research trial. The decision by the Australian Government, made under sections 75 and 77A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999, specifies that the Trial Site must be decommissioned and all equipment removed “within 3 years of the date of commencement of the Action”. The Action commenced on 13 May 2025 and is therefore must conclude by 13 May 2028. We are developing a full Decommissioning Plan to guide the decommissioning process and ensure that all infrastructure is removed. Commitments in our Environmental Monitoring Program (currently under consideration with the regulator) detail that environmental conditions (water quality and benthic conditions) at the site will be monitored throughout the trial, with monitoring to continue through to 3 month’s post-decommissioning.
The Research Trial received the Tasmanian Permit (Permit 25065) issued under Section 14 of the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995. The Permit is issued for “the marine farming of fish for research purposes pursuant to an arrangement under section 161” of the Act. The current Permit is valid through to 1 December 2025 (12 months from the date of the approval of the Trial). The BECRC intends to apply for the second 12 month permit later this year with the intention that a Permit for the second 12-month period will be in place from 2 December 2025.
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