To meet the projected seafood demand Australian aquaculture needs to increase its rate of growth in both production and competitiveness. However, extensive R&D investment in more than 90 aquaculture species over the last five decades in Australia has resulted in fewer than 10% of these species reaching recognized commercial production in either tonnage or value. Clearly, research interest alone is not a sufficient driver for aquaculture production and the limited production or lack of investment in new species is indicative of the need to align research with commercial realities.

This investment will audit the research effort on aquaculture species and industry adoption and identify possible barriers to further growth of production. The project will also establish an open-access database that documents research progress, industry adoption and barriers to further development of aquaculture species in Australia.