The Western Australian (WA) government has committed to developing sustainable aquaculture. Aquaculture development zones are areas of water suitable for aquaculture development (for example marine finfish or shellfish).
The zones provide ‘investment ready’ areas of water with strategic environmental approvals and management policies already in place. This allows commercial aquaculture operations to be set up without the need for lengthy, complicated, and expensive approval processes.
There are 3 locations with established aquaculture development zones within WA:
- Albany
- Kimberley
- Mid West.
Current and proposed aquaculture sites within WA
View the mapAquaculture development zones
An investment by the state government to establish an aquaculture development zone on the south coast of WA has resulted in shellfish farming operations in 4 locations around Albany.
The Albany Aquaculture Development Zone (AADZ) covers approximately 800 hectares inlcuding:
- an area in Oyster Harbour
- two areas in King George Sound (Mistaken Island and Misery Beach)
- an area in Princess Royal Harbour (Shoal Bay).
Maps
Maps are available for the entire AADZ, as well as aquaculture development zones in Shoal Bay, Mistaken Island, Oyster Harbour, and Misery Beach.
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Albany Aquaculture Development Zone mappdf (6.63 MB)
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Shoal Bay mappdf (2.67 MB)
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Mistaken Island mappdf (2.68 MB)
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Oyster Harbour mappdf (6.66 MB)
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Misery Beach mappdf (2.64 MB)
Management framework and environmental assessment
A management framework was developed to identify, manage, and mitigate risks of environmental impact that may be associated with aquaculture. Used as a common reference point for both industry and community, it aims to clarify the standards industry will be held to and provide confidence to the community that aquaculture development within the AADZ will not come at an environmental cost.
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Albany Aquaculture Development Zone management frameworkpdf (1.89 MB)
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BMT Group environmental assessment reportpdf (12.35 MB)
The Mid West Aquaculture Development Zone (MWADZ) is located across an area of open water between Geraldton and the southern region of the Abrolhos Islands group.
The following documents are part of the Mid West aquaculture development zone management framework:
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Mid West aquaculture development zone management frameworkpdf (815 KB)
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Environmental monitoring and management plan (EMMP)pdf (1.72 MB)
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Mid West marine fauna interaction management planpdf (774 KB)
Assessment of the MWADZ was performed by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of WA.
Declared as the first aquaculture development zone for marine finfish in WA, the Kimberley Aquaculture Development Zone (KADZ) lies in Cone Bay, at the northern end of King Sound, about 215 kilometres north-east of Broome.
The following documents are part of the Kimberley aquaculture development zone management framework:
- Kimberley Aquaculture Development Zone management policy
- Kimberley Environmental Monitoring and Management Plan (EMMP)
- aquaculture licence
- management and environmental monitoring plan (MEMP)
- aquaculture lease.
Assessment of the KADZ was performed by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of WA.
Kimberley Aquaculture Development Zone environmental reporting
Aquaculture operator, MPA Fish Farms Pty Ltd, submits annual reports which summarise its environmental monitoring and management activities at its authorised sites in accordance with an EPA approved EMMP.
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Annual Environmental Compliance Report 2022-2023pdf (3.43 MB)
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BG Environmental Compliance Report 2021-2022pdf (2.16 MB)
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BG Environmental Compliance Report 2020-2021pdf (1.2 MB)
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BG Environmental Compliance Report 2019-2020pdf (1.47 MB)
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BG Environmental Compliance Report 2018-2019pdf (1.41 MB)
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MPA Environmental Compliance Report 2017-2018pdf (1.05 MB)
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MPA Environmental Compliance Report 2016-2017pdf (1.05 MB)
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MPA Environmental Compliance Report 2015-2016pdf (1.05 MB)
Aquaculture development zone site allocation
DPIRD is not currently inviting applications within Aquaculture development zones at this time.
Any enquiries should be directed to the DPIRD Aquaculture Management team.
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Aquaculture Management1 Nash Street, Perth WA 6000 Australia
Post: Locked Bag 4, Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983