The world can be our oyster: minister

NORTH Queensland could be the epicentre of the Queensland’s burgeoning aquaculture industry as the State Government aims to lift the region’s seafood production expertise.

Agriculture Industry Development and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner is expected to visit Townsville today to tour the aquaculture research lab at James Cook University and launch a campaign to entice more investment to the sector in the region.

“( Queensland has) never been better placed to capitalise on the decades of world- class research by the Department of Fisheries and institutions like JCU,” he said. “With markets in Asia hungry for high quality Australian seafood products, now is the time to strike.”

Mr Furner said he would be working to secure aquaculture opportunities that create a “direct injection of jobs into local communities”.

“In the coming months I will be engaging with private companies and encouraging them to invest in Queensland aquaculture projects,” he said.

Mr Furner said setting up the Aquaculture Industry Development Network was the “first step” towards increasing aquaculture investment.

The gross value of aquaculture production in Queensland is forecast to hit $ 125 million in 2017- 18, an increase of 4.4 per cent on the previous year.

Earlier this year Townsville Enterprise called for funding to support a $ 60 million Tropical Aquaculture Accelerator in Townsville.

The international marine research precinct would help advance aquaculture commercialisation and deliver up to 128 full time equivalent jobs for the region.