Australia.- The gross value of Australian fishery and aquaculture production grew to $3.06 billion in 2016–17, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resource Economics and Sciences’ (ABARES) latest edition of Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Richard Colbeck said the growth showed a strong appetite for Australia’s high quality seafood.
“Australia produces some of the highest quality seafood in the world, and it’s no wonder that our fishery and aquaculture industries continue to grow,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The value of commercial fishery and aquaculture production was nine per cent higher in 2016–17 than in 2006–07 after accounting for the effects on inflation.
“Aquaculture production value increased by four 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 five per cent to $756 million.
“Australia has a reputation as a global leader in effective and sustainable fisheries management, and I am proud to say that this year–for the fifth year in a row –no solely Australian Government managed fish stock has been classified as subject to overfishing.
“The report was issued just in time for Christmas, and with the festive season coming up I encourage all Australians to continue to support our fishery and aquaculture industries making sure Aussie seafood is on the Christmas table.
“Seafood has become part of Aussie Christmas culture, and it’s important that we continue to support our local industries.”
The Australian fisheries and aquaculture statistics 2017 report is available at: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/research-topics/fisheries/fisheries-and-aquaculture-statistics
To compliment 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.
