Translation of research into commercial development is rarely straightforward. In the case of inland saline aquaculture, the research to overcome technical constraints has led to significant commercial development overseas. However, despite significant investment in the 2000s, commercial development in Australia has been slow. This may be due to environmental factors, policy barriers, social and economic conditions at the time. Some of these possible constraints have completely changed in the last two decades and there is currently new interest in inland saline aquaculture. This project is required to help ensue potential investors are armed with as much information as possible. What did previous research into inland saline aquaculture find? What prevented commercial development in Australia and what led to development overseas? What are the new opportunities and how can they be supported?
Final report
Unfortunately, with time, much of the collective research is difficult to access especially for prospective farmers and investors. New development will stand a better chance if fully informed of past progress. New technical challenges will need to be addressed. This project sought to address the following objectives:
- Collate existing documents and publications documenting research, policy, practical farming
methods and opportunities for inland saline aquaculture over the last twenty years. - Examine commercial developments and impacts from previous research.
- Identify new opportunities.
- Recommend ways these opportunities might be further explored and captured.
Experts with a strong history in inland saline aquaculture research from NSW, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia were invited as well as two international experts, from India and the USA. Invited experts were asked to give presentations summarising past progress, including commercial developments, challenges and future opportunities.
