Pacific Reef Fisheries operation nets sustainability gong Prawn farm’s big first
NORTH Queensland seafood is some of the best in the world, and now it’s among the most sustainable in Australia.
The Pacific Reef Fisheries operation near Ayr is the first Australian prawn farm to gain certification by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
The council is an independent, international non- profit organisation managing the world’s leading certification and labelling program for responsible aquaculture.
The Ayr aquaculture farm received the Australian Prawn Farmers Association’s Prawn Farming Sustainability Program Award this week.
Pacific Reef Fisheries general manager John Moloney said the certification would help the business improve commercially and non- commercially.
“There’s a stronger focus from the major supermarkets to have certified seafood in their stores,” he said. “It will reach a point where that’s all they have.
“This certification gives people assurances things.”
Pacific Reef Fisheries produces about 1000 tonnes of tiger prawns each year for the Australian market.
Last month it began restocking its ponds, and it’s hoped harvesting will begin in time to supply the Christmas seafood rush.
Mr Moloney said with the farm along the coast of the Great Barrier Reef it was important to be environmentally safe.
“Of course we want to do what we can to help protect our amazing reef for future generations,” he said.
Mr Moloney said the operation had been developing sustainability initiatives for years.
“This is one of the most stringent certification standards in the world,” he said.
The certification covers the way the farm runs, what it uses as a feed source and staff treatment.
World Wildlife Foundation Australia general manager Jo- anne McCrea said it was great to see Pacific Reef Fisheries’ leadership.
She said there was growing demand from people who wanted to buy sustainable seafood from their local supermarkets.
“The prawn industry can play a strong role in helping to maintain the health of the Great Barrier Reef,” Ms McCrea said. they are eating good