Seafood & Aquaculture

In a country known for its strong primary produce sector, aquaculture is Australia’s fastest growing primary industry, increasing in value by an average of 13% each year since 1990. Japan is the world’s largest importer of aquaculture products and Australia’s largest export market – in 2001/2, Japan imported more than 42% of Australia’s fishery and aquaculture products, valued at almost A$680m.

Again, Australia’s clean and ecologically sustainable production techniques are industry strengths.

For example, scientists are analysing the abundance and distribution of thousands of prawns caught at 300 sites across the Gulf of Carpentaria. This will help fine-tune the largest monitoring program ever designed for an Australian fishery, developed for the A$120m Northern Prawn Fishery via a partnership of scientists, industry and management with the shared goal of ensuring the fishery’s sustainable future.

Global concerns regarding food safety are driving consumers to Australia for food quality assurance. The nation’s unequivocal commitment to innovation, research and development, and industry and governments which work hand in hand, ensure that Australia continues to lead the world in food health standards.

Abalone

Australian abalone is a particular Japanese favourite, sourced from a variety of Australian locations. The largest processor in Australia is Tasmanian Seafoods, established by Allen Hansen more than 30 years ago after he moved to Australia from California, where he abalone-dived as a hobby. Hansen’s company now processes abalone in four factories, three in Tasmania and one in Victoria, supplying canned, live, vacuum packed, dried and frozen abalone to markets throughout Asia as well as the UK, Europe and North America.

Safe and nutritional

The South Australian marine finfish industry is also building an inter-national reputation for its products, with international chefs singing their praises. The industry has deliberately chosen species highly prized as sushi and sashimi products, and which are valued in fine dining markets. It has gone to great lengths to ensure that products have excellent culinary attributes, are safe to eat, and contain high levels of nutritional elements, such as Omega 3 fatty acids.

Article by Invest Australia.
>> www.dfat.gov.au/facts/seafoodindustry.html
>> www.austrade.gov.au
>> www.investaustralia.gov.au