The gross value of Australian fisheries and aquaculture production (GVP) continues to grow according to the ABARES Australian fisheries and aquaculture statistics 2017 report.
ABARES Executive Director, Dr Steve Hatfield-Dodds, said that gross production value of the industries increased by 1 per cent to $3.06 billion in 2016–17.
"The value of commercial fishery and aquaculture production was 9 per cent higher compared to 2006–07, mainly through higher production value of aquaculture," Dr Hatfield-Dodds said.
"Aquaculture GVP increased by 4 per cent in 2016–17 to $1.35 billion. The increase in value was largely attributed to higher production value of salmonids, which increased by 5 per cent to $756 million.
"In 2016–17, Tasmania had the largest GVP, accounting for 31 per cent of total fishery production value, followed by Western Australia (20 per cent) and South Australia (16 per cent).
"The gross value of Tasmanian fishery and aquaculture production increased by 4 per cent in 2016–17 to $947 million. Tasmanian fishery production has continued its increasing trend, driven by an expanding aquaculture industry.
"Overall value of fishery and aquaculture product exports declined by 7 per cent in 2016–17 to $1.44 billion, largely reflecting lower export value of salmonids, pearls, tuna and rock lobster.
"Total value of fishery and aquaculture product exports was 24 per cent lower in real terms in 2016–17 compared with 2006–07.
"Wild-catch GVP also declined marginally in 2016–17, with a decline in the value of wild-caught finfish and crustaceans more than offset an increase in the value of wild-caught mollusc production."
To complement this year's release of Australian fisheries and aquaculture statistics, ABARES has also released an Insights brief that provides a snapshot of the sector, highlighting six key aspects of Australian commercial fisheries and aquaculture including industry structure, trends in production, trade, consumption, sustainability and innovation.
Snapshot of Australia's commercial fisheries and aquaculture is available at agriculture.gov.au/fisheries-and-aquaculture-snapshot
Australian fisheries and aquaculture statistics 2017 is supported by funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and is part of a suite of ABARES publications that provides a comprehensive account of historical trends in, and the outlook for, Australian fisheries.
The Australian fisheries and aquaculture statistics 2017 report is available at agriculture.gov.au/fisheries-and-aquaculture-statistics
