AQUACULTURE will be used in Spencer Gulf to farm more mussels, abalone and several species of finfish, if new research proves successful.
The gulf is already home to fish farms for species such as the yellow-tail kingfish, but the ability to grow other seafood is the focus of a $1.16 million state and federal government research project.
It aims to increase the sustainability of the seafood industry for decades to come.
Aquaculture is a significant employer in the major Spencer Gulf cities of Port Lincoln and Port Augusta, as well as in coastal towns such as Arno Bay.
State Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Paul Caica said South Australia's aquaculture industry was already generating $264 million at the farm gate for local economies. He said a further $322 million was being generated through flow-on benefits and $71 million more through processing and food service.
"That's a 25 per cent jump in value of aquaculture production (in one year) and the predictions are that we will continue to see this rate of growth over the next two years," Mr Caica said.
"This growth could be significantly more if the industry can sustainably expand the range of seafood it can produce, particularly the successful commercialisation of the farming of hatchery-reared southern bluefin tuna."
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