- The Cook Government's $3.6 million upgrade to the Albany Shellfish Hatchery nearing completion
- Production capacity of rock oyster spat to double to support industry development
- New regional job opportunities in aquaculture production for the Great Southern
Western Australia's rock oyster production is set to double with the expansion of the Albany Shellfish Hatchery close to completion, thanks to a $3.6 million investment by the Cook Labor Government.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Albany Shellfish Hatchery is the leading producer of shellfish spat in WA, providing juvenile oysters for commercial growers, industry trials and expansion projects.
The hatchery expansion will support the shellfish industry to capitalise on the increasing local and export market demand for edible oysters, including rock oysters.
With the upgrades, production of rock oyster spat will increase from around 22 million rock oysters annually to over 40 million.
Regional Development Minister Don Punch and Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens toured the new facilities at the hatchery today.
The hatchery upgrades add an additional 650 square metres of production space including new laboratories and spat grading facilities, as well as additional nursery space for the production of juvenile rock oysters.
A new greenhouse has also been added and the indoor algae production expanded to be able to feed young oysters in the new nursery.
The expansion works are being undertaken by Albany-based business Colab Construction Pty Ltd and expected to be finished by early February. Rock oyster spat production is expected to start increasing from April this year.
At full capacity, the Albany Aquaculture Development Zone is expected to produce around 1,500 tonnes of shellfish at an estimated value of $30 million per year, creating more than 200 direct jobs.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
"It is exciting to be in Albany today to see the progress of the upgrades to Albany Shellfish Hatchery, which is an important supplier of rock oyster spat for industry production across the State.
"The Cook Government's investment in upgrades to the Albany Shellfish Hatchery will support the local shellfish industry to continue to develop and grow, and is creating new employment opportunities.
"Increased spat production will provide WA's aquaculture businesses with the opportunity to diversify and expand. We now have producers like Leeuwin Coast in Albany's Oyster Harbour and Abrolhos Island Oysters, both harvesting their first commercial-scale batches of rock oysters late last year, all from spat supplied by the shellfish hatchery."
As stated by Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:
"Albany is home to some of the most delicious and sustainably grown shellfish in the world.
"The Cook Government's investment in the project recognises the importance of aquacutlure as an emerging industry for food production, as well providing job opportunties for the community with up to four new staff set to be employed by the hatchery.
"Investing in regional infrastructure projects generates local employment and supports local businesses like Albany-based Colab Construction Pty Ltd, which was awarded the tender to complete the hatchery upgrades."
