This project aims to support emerging oyster and seaweed farming livelihoods in Fiji and northern Australia by addressing technical, social and market considerations. It focuses on developing a safe, nutritious tropical rock oyster product, providing farmers with oyster spat, establishing community-based enterprises, building capacity for enterprise development and integrating seaweed into oyster farming systems.
Oyster aquaculture in Fiji and northern Australia is an experimental industry with limited production and economic data. However, forecasting by the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia predicts that an industry employing 500 people would directly increase output by $217 million AUD, with indirect impacts resulting in an additional $76 million AUD.
Seaweed farming, one of the largest aquaculture crops in the world, is predominantly based in Asia. Production in Pacific island countries has declined since 2000. There are currently no commercial ocean seaweed farms in production in Australia and only two small land-based operations for Ulva spp.
Both oysters and seaweeds are considered climate-resilient options for diversified aquatic food systems under climate change, as specific species can be targeted based on their tolerance to changing environmental conditions. Hatchery production also enables selective breeding programs for climate adaptive traits, ensuring spat supply and not being at the mercy of natural reproductive cycles to supply farmers.
