The Australian aquaculture industry has a bright future with potential to increase its already significant contribution to the Australian economy and export earnings. The industry produces high- value species for export and domestic markets and concentrates successfully on supplying niche markets. The aquaculture sector is one of the fastest growing rural industries. Aquaculture provides important employment opportunities in rural areas, where it contributes significantly to economic stability and growth. Other potential benefits of the industry are advantages to both recreational and commercial fisheries through stock-enhancement programs and increased biological knowledge of species.
Aquaculture is dependent on the availability of suitable sites and infrastructure for development.
This applies to both intensive pond aquaculture on land and caged aquaculture in natural waterways and open waters. The latter poses cross-sectoral problems in many States because of competition with tourism operators and recreational and other users. For example, loss of visual amenity through the establishment of aquaculture farms is a significant issue for some tourism operators. Most of the recent developments have occurred in rural areas. To be sustainable and viable, aquaculture needs good water and a clean environment.