Whitsunday Guardian, Birsbane's Currier Mail and Townsville...

Whitsunday Guardian, Birsbane's Currier Mail and Townsville Bulletin all have stories in today's issues about aquaculture expansion and Tassal's investment in Queensland. In summary: 

(1) More than 100 jobs will be created in Proserpineas the Tassal prawn farmexpansion kicks off.

(2)Minister for AgriculturalIndustry Development andFisheries Mark Furner spentWednesday inspecting theProserpine farm with TassalAustralia head ofengagement BarbaraMcGregor and stated: Mr Furner said: “It’s my vision to seeQueensland become a worldleader in aquaculture andprojects like this one are animportant step in makingthat happen. Investment in sustainableaquaculture can help us tocreate good local jobs andstrengthen our localeconomy, creating long-termopportunities for theregion.”

(3) Tassal's Barbara McGregor said: “This project, oncecompleted, will have theeffect of increasingQueensland’s currentfarmed prawn production byaround 50 per cent. Our company always hasa priority focus onsupporting localcommunities and this isabout investing in localpeople, local resources andlocal activities.”

(4) The current demand for prawns is around 60,000 tonnesper annum, with researchshowing home-grownAustralian prawns are aclear preference forconsumers.

(5) The redevelopment of thefarm will include around 200hectares of land-basedponds, which will increase involume by around 2000 to3000 tonnes.The processing facilitywill also be redeveloped, aswill the hatchery and domestic breeding program.

(6): Whitsunday RegionalCouncil Mayor AndrewWillcox: “It’ll be fantastic to seethese new jobs beingadvertised and majorinvestment flowing into ourbeautiful region"

(7) A $420,000 project fundedby the Federal Governmentwill develop a comprehensive vision to expand the aquaculture industry in NorthernAustralia.Minister for Resources andNorthern Australia Matt Canavan announced details of theproject – to be led by JamesCook University – in Townsville yesterday. JCU associate professor inaquaculture Jennifer Cobcroftsaid the region was likely to seemore expansion in barramundiand prawn farming but thatthere were opportunities inother species such as freshwater prawns, tropical oystersand mud crabs.