International Interest For Aquaculture Industry

Seven delegates from Vietnamese government departments will visit Snobs Creek, Queenscliff and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in Melbourne to swap information and examine Victorian aquaculture.

Acting Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, Travis Dowling, said collaboration between industry and DPI researchers had turned the mussel industry around and was attracting international interest.

“The aquaculture sector in Vietnam began in the early 1960’s and has been growing rapidly over the past two decades,” Mr Dowling said.

“Export of aquaculture products is already a major industry in Vietnam and their government is keen to expand aquaculture which already generates more than a billion dollars.

“The Mekong delta has a huge freshwater area and already has diverse aquaculture with great potential.

“The production of striped catfish culture in the Mekong delta is considered a global success with production of more than a million tonnes a year in recent years.

“The delegates will be looking at different models of technology transfer in aquaculture and the field and farm services operated by the DPI."

They will be visiting farms and studying demonstration models on rainbow trout and mollusc aquaculture.

The November visit is part of the International Engagement component of the Aquaculture Futures Initiative (AFI) which aims to transform Victoria’s aquaculture industry into globally competitive sectors through international engagement.

“We want to improve access to scientific information and technologies, expand Victoria’s capability in targeted areas and improve market access for Victorian seafood products.

“Sustainable aquaculture will be vital to the whole world and is seen as one viable way to increase food production.”