The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing sustainable aquaculture practices with the launch of world-leading research by Darwin Aquaculture Centre to support international economic development in remote Aboriginal communities and Fiji.
The groundbreaking project is aimed at supporting oyster and seaweed farming in northern Australia and Fiji.
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Gerard Maley said the collaborative project with the University of the Sunshine Coast, the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries, and the Pacific Community's Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division would drive long-term economic growth in the regions.
"This innovative project brings together the expertise of international partners and highlights the Northern Territory's commitment to promoting sustainable aquaculture practices," said Mr Maley.
"By developing a marketable tropical rock oyster product and integrating seaweed into oyster farming systems, we are supporting food security, empowering local communities, and driving economic growth in both northern Australia and Fiji.
"This delivers on our government's promise of 2025 being a year of action, certainty and security, and our promise to rebuild the Territory's economy."
The project will address key technical, social, and market challenges for emerging oyster and seaweed farming businesses in northern Australia, including Goulburn Island and Groote Eylandt, and in Fiji.
Its goals include developing reliable access to oyster juveniles, creating community-based enterprises, and strengthening regional organisations to support business development.
"Oyster and seaweed farming play an important role in regional economies, and we're proud to see this collaboration improve food systems, create resilient livelihoods, and offer new opportunities for our coastal communities," said Mr Maley.
Dr Libby Swanepoel from the University of the Sunshine Coast said: "UniSC is excited to collaborate on this research ensuring that science and community knowledge come together to create resilient and sustainable food systems."
"This project offers a fantastic opportunity to improve both food security and livelihoods in tropical coastal communities, with our partners in Fiji and northern Australia," she said.
"It will broaden our understanding of oyster and seaweed farming and how they can be co-cultured, with the potential to support communities with long-term, equitable economic opportunities."
Fiji's Minister for Fisheries and Forests, the Honorable Alitia Bainivalu said: "It is with great pleasure that I join our Australian partners and fellow Fijian stakeholders to mark the launch of this ACIAR-supported project."
"This initiative represents more than a partnership; it demonstrates our shared vision and commitment to community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and sustainable economic development," said Minister Bainivalu.
"As we look to develop sustainable aquaculture practices, this project will provide critical support to emerging oyster and seaweed farming livelihoods, empowering local communities through capacity building, market access, and technical expertise."
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research CEO, Professor Wendy Umberger, said: "Outcomes of this project will contribute to the broader goals of ACIAR in creating healthy, resilient, and equitable food systems for tropical coastal communities."
"At ACIAR, we are committed to strengthening global agrifood systems by developing research partnerships that empower smallholder farmers and enhance food security," she said.
"We're proud to support our regional partners as they build capacity, drive enterprise development, and advance aquatic food systems to meet the demands of a changing world."
