Australia.- The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been working to expand aquaculture opportunities and finding ways to provide more streamlined processes to help companies looking to set up operations in the State.
WA’s aquaculture industry is growing and diversifying and there are signs growth will accelerate, particularly in marine finfish and shellfish sectors; including species such as barramundi, yellowtail kingfish, abalone, mussels and edible oysters.
The fresh water sector will also continue to be an important part of the State’s aquaculture and attracting new investment across all sectors or facilitating expansion are key priorities.
This week a new online form system has become available for applications seeking either the grant of an aquaculture licence or a variation to an existing licence.
Aquaculture Manager Steve Nel said the online form system arose from a joint regulatory reform project with the Department of Finance.
“Through the online process, applicants can register then submit their application and correspond with the aquaculture team throughout its assessment,” Mr Nel said.
“They can check the status of an application and see its progress at any point in time.”
Mr Nel said the online applications had capability for online payments as well.
“This is a good first step to provide a more streamlined experience for the user,” he said.
“There will be more online forms to come, early in 2018, including applications for aquaculture leases and exemptions.
“We are in an exciting growth phase and, with many aquaculture operations located in regional areas, the industry is contributing to regional economic diversification and, most importantly, creates significant numbers of employment opportunities as new operations are established.”
The new licence application form is available through the department’s website, which explains the steps that applicants need to take: http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/Fishing-and-Aquaculture/Aquaculture/Aquaculture-Management-and-Licensing/Pages/default.aspx
