Western Australia's aquaculture industry research capacity has been strengthened with $500,000 of upgrades completed at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's shellfish research facilities at Hillarys. 

The improvements will support aquaculture industry development across regional WA, with the creation of a small-scale hatchery to increase research opportunities to support the growing marine shellfish sector. Seawater supply to the site has been improved, and a new algae food supply system and expanded laboratory and nursery space provided, which are vital for shellfish seed production.

Facilities have also been improved to allow shellfish breeding stock to be brought in from the wild and kept separately and securely to minimise the risk of disease.

A new research project will commence in 2023 with funding support from One Sea Pty Ltd and from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation to trial the production of Southern saucer scallop spat in the hatchery.  This research will be vital to supporting wild stocks and for potential commercial production.

Fisheries Minister Don Punch said aquaculture is the world's fastest growing food production sector, with shellfish aquaculture the fastest growing aquaculture sector in WA.

"Upgrades to the Hillarys facilities mean our shellfish aquaculture research can be expanded to include species such as scallops, driving industry diversification and market competitiveness of the State's aquaculture industry," the Minister said. More... Source and Photo: WA Minister for Fisheries [Fisheries Minister Don Punch with DPIRD shellfish aquaculture scientist Aisling Fontanini.]

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), in collaboration with Howard Park Wines, Wines of WA and Wine Australia, has bottled the second vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon wines made from a trial of clones and selections at Howard Park’s Margaret River vineyard.

WA is recognised internationally as a premium producer of Cabernet Sauvignon – the State’s highest value wine grape variety. The project is examining the performance of a number of Australian, American and French derived clones and selections under WA growing conditions.

DPIRD research scientist Richard Fennessy said the addition of more diverse clones and selections to WA vineyards could help take Cabernet Sauvignon production to the next level.

Wines of West Australia Chief Executive Officer, Larry Jorgensen, said the Cabernet clone project is a good example of industry-led research, development and extension that is supported by partnerships with the state and federal governments.

"There is increasing demand in the United States of America for premium Cabernet-based wines. The outputs from this project will help WA growers to make decisions on clonal selection to take advantage of this opportunity." Mr Jorgensen said.  More... Source: DPIRD / Larry Jorgensen | Photo: DPIRD [Howard Park Wines chief viticulturalist David Botting (left), DPIRD research scientist, Richard Fennessy, and Wines of West Australia Chief Executive Officer, Larry Jorgensen, inspect a unique trial of cabernet sauvignon wine clone grapes at Howard Park Wines, Margaret River.]

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released new agricultural exporter guides to provide businesses with a high-level view of how to prepare themselves, and their products, for the export journey.

This tool will help you understand the steps for exporting goods out of Australia, and your responsibilities, depending on your role in the export process. The exporting process depends on the commodity you wish to export.

Commodities in the exporter guides include seafood, meat, eggs, dairy, live animals, plants, organics, and non-prescribed goods. More... Source: DAFF | Photo: Fremantle Ports

Applications have been extended for the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

The Award has seen close to 300 exceptional women develop innovative projects that are contributing to a prosperous future for rural Australia.

Each state and territory winner receives a $15,000 grant provided by Westpac, as well as access to professional development opportunities and national Alumni networks.

Applications now close on Wednesday 16 November 2022. More... Source and Photo: AgriFutures Australia [Denmark-based farmer and online business operator Louise O'Neill won the 2022 WA Rural Women’s Award.]

Norway's seafood industry experienced strong growth last year, and it was the best year ever for Norwegian seafood exports.

Exporting 3.1 million tonnes of seafood worth NOK120.8 billion (AUD$18 billion) in 2021, this was more than double what it was in 2012, NOK47.7 billion (AUD$7.18 billion). This sets a record in both volume and value and represents the equivalent of 42 million seafood meals every single day of the year.

A new report released at the end of October said the growth in Norway's aquaculture industry is the biggest driver of the overall seafood sector's growth. During 2021 the number of employees in the sector increased by as much as 13,000 people to 106,000 employees who work directly and indirectly in the seafood industry.    

Norway – with a population of 5.5 million people – is the world's second largest seafood exporter (China is the largest) and is the world's top producer of farmed Atlantic salmon, with 1.4 million tonnes produced in 2021, representing over a quarter of total global production. 

Seafood is one of Norway's largest export sectors and one that has seen the greatest growth. Norway's seafood industry has grown 8.7 times from 1970, while the nation's Gross National Product has grown just 3.8 times over this same period. More... Source: Nofima / FAO / Science Direct | Photo: Emil Bremnes / Nofima

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts global growth to slow from 6% in 2021 to 3.2% in 2022 and 2.7% in 2023. This is the weakest growth since 2001, except for the global financial crisis and the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its October 2022 Economic Outlook report, the IMF says the global economy’s future health rests critically on the successful calibration of monetary policy, the course of the war in Ukraine, and the possibility of further pandemic-related supply-side disruptions, for example, in China.

Global inflation is forecast to rise from 4.7% in 2021 to 8.8% in 2022, but to decline to 6.5% in 2023 and to 4.1% by 2024. More... | Related: IMF: Asia and world face growing risks from economic fragmentation | Source and Graphic: IMF