$4.5m tropical rock lobster project launched

Perth-based Maxima and Tasmanian company Ornatas are trialing a new way of farming tropical rock lobsters in Cone Bay to kickstart a new aquaculture industry in northern Western Australia.

The companies are hoping to export 1,100 tonnes of tropical rock lobster and create a $160 million industry in the next decade.

The $4.5 million project has received funding from the CRC for Developing Northern Australia, with additional support from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.

The project will be underpinned by breeding technology developed by the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies.

The technology has been commercialised by Ornatas, which has an operational tropical rock lobster hatchery in Northern Queensland, in partnership with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies.

The method involves growing tropical rock lobsters in sea raft enclosures.

The Cone Bay facility will trial growing the lobster to market size.

Ornatas estimates the project will employ more than 120 people in northern Queensland, northern WA and Tasmania by 2030.

Maxima chief executive John Hutton said the optimum growing environment, the existing investment in infrastructure and the opportunity to collaborate and work with traditional owners and the North Regional TAFE set the foundation for a successful partnership.

Ornatas chief executive Scott Parkinson said the project was a unique example of Australian ingenuity.

“This research into raft culture in northern WA is a significant step forward toward a sustainable future for Australian aquaculture,” Mr Parkinson said.

Tropical rock lobsters are currently fished across northern Australia, including the Torres Strait.