Australia’s aquaculture sector has a bright future as it continues to set international benchmarks by providing fresh, high-quality, sustainable seafood year-round, while meeting and exceeding regulatory requirements.

Darwin is to host the World Aquaculture conference next year.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade’s NT Business Events and NT Fisheries partnered with the Darwin Convention Centre to secure the international event.

It will be run over four days – 29 May-1 June – and will attract world experts.

Darwin Convention Centre General Manager Peter Savoff is delighted to have won the conference.

“Our world-class facility is perfectly positioned in Northern Australia’s tropical Top End to provide delegates space to think, connect, and engage with local experts on best-practice standards in producing safe, sustainable and high-quality seafood products,” he says.

The conference will focus on sustainable development of the industry, which aligns with the Northern Territory Government’s strategy to accelerate agribusiness and aquaculture and grow a $40 billion economy by 2030.

The Government is supporting the expansion of aquaculture in the NT through the transformation of the Darwin Aquaculture Centre into a centre of excellence in tropical aquaculture research and development.

The conference will attract national and international leaders in aquaculture and will highlight the significant opportunities for aquaculture development in the Northern Territory.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Nicole Manison says the conference will attract more than 1000 delegates, generating about $3.4 million in delegate local spending.

“Business events traditionally inject over $38 million annually into the Northern Territory economy and we will keep investing in the tourism industry, ensuring high quality experiences for delegates and visitors.”

Agribusiness and Fisheries Paul Kirby says the Territory’s commercial fishing and aquaculture sector injects $136 million into the economy each year, creating more than 900 jobs.

“This is a great opportunity to support the expansion of this important industry,” he says. 

Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison says: “Attracting events like this is helping to generate global attention for Australia’s world-class business events offering while also delivering short and long-term benefits to our tourism industry and economy more broadly.”

And Seafood Industry Australia chief executive Veronica Papacosta says Australia’s aquaculture sector has maintained steady growth over the past few years.

“Aquaculture is an integral food production sector and plays a key role in securing international food security, a role that is forecast to grow in years to come,” she says.

“Australia’s aquaculture sector has a bright future as it continues to set international benchmarks by providing fresh, high-quality, sustainable seafood year-round, while meeting and exceeding regulatory requirements.”