Sustainable Development in the Western Australian Aquaculture Industry

Aquaculture is the culturing and marketing of freshwater or marine plants and animals in a controlled environment avoiding the harmful effects of nature.  Due to the depletion of world fisheries stocks, aquaculture is today the only alternative to make a significant contribution to the world’s aquatic food supply and to become an important provider of food for the world’s growing population.  Aquaculture also has a social dimension providing for an alternative livelihood and thus has an important role in the alleviation of poverty in the world. Consequently, in the same way that agriculture has replaced the gathering of wild plants and livestock breeding has replaced hunting, aquaculture is supplementing fishing in order to save the endangered seas

The Western Australian Aquaculture industry is a regenerative industry committed to sustainable development.  All of Western Australian’s aquaculture industry sectors have four objectives:

1. Maximise Growth
2. Maximise Survival
3. Control Costs 
4. Minimise Environmental Impact

All of which cannot be achieved without maintaining high water and environmental quality.  Given this innate connection with the environment evolves a deep commitment to developing the industry responsibly and has given rise to the following industry programs:

• Code of Conduct
• ACWA Environmental Policy
• National ESD Reporting Framework: The 'How To' Guide for Aquaculture
• Environmental Code of Practices
  • Abalone Aquaculture Industry Environmental Code of Practice
  • AMWING Pearl Environmental Code of Practice (1.4MB)
  • Mussel Industry Environmental Code of Practice
  • Sustainable Development of Marine Finfish Aquaculture in Western Australia
• Environmental Management Systems
• Animal Welfare Guidelines
• Occupational Health & Safety Code of Practice

Community Perceptions on Australian Aquaculture

• Community perceptions of aquaculture and fishing: implications for industry image, marketing and sustainability
• Community perceptions of aquaculture: Final Report - Summary
• Community Perceptions of Aquaculture- Final Report
• Case Study: Community Perceptions of Aquaculture Erye pennisula, South Australia - key findings
• Community perceptions of aquaculture: report on the Eyre Peninsula
• Community perceptions of aquaculture: report on the Port Phillip region
• Community perceptions of aquaculture: related social research

Aquaculture Discharge Model

• Department of Fisheries, Western Australia Aquaculture Discharge Model 

Useful Links on Aquaculture and the Environment

• Aquamedia is a focus for accurate and up-to-date information about aquaculture
• Global Aquaculture Alliance
• Aquculture Certification Council
• Economist Article on the Blue Revolution