Sea Dragon prawn venture issued licence by NT Government ASHLEY...

Sea Dragon prawn venture issued licence by NT Government
ASHLEY MANICAROS, NT News
December 9, 2017 12:00am
Subscriber only
THE licence allowing for breeding and broodstock to mature in Bynoe Harbour for Project Sea Dragon has been issued by the Northern Territory Government.

The prawn maturation centre is a key part of Project Sea Dragon. The centre will see the selection and development of high performing broodstock for the hatchery, before the stock is moved to the grow out facility at Legune Station on the border of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Seafarms director Dr Chris Mitchell said the awarding of the licence demonstrated another milestone in project approvals.

“The commercial aquaculture licence is one of several significant approval milestones that have been met over the past 24 months and demonstrates further progress in the project achieving its secondary approvals,” he said.

“Project Sea Dragon has the potential to be a $2 billion project earning in excess of $3 billion in export revenue and we are pleased it has the full support of the Northern Territory Government.”

At full scale Project Sea Dragon has the potential to create around 1500 jobs in Northern Australia, including 700 jobs for local people on the ground at Legune Station, 300 jobs at the Bynoe Harbour hatchery and breeding facilities and 500 jobs in Kununurra.

Minister for Primary Industry Ken Vowles, said the granting of this Aquaculture Licence had brought the private-investment initiative a step closer to operation.

“Project Sea Dragon has the potential to deliver significant employment and economic benefits to the Territory, and I am delighted we have reached this stage in the development process,” he said.

“Seafarms have plans to produce more than 100,000 tonnes of prawns a year.

“This government is working with the private sector to determine what we can do to help them invest in the Territory and create jobs for Territorians.

“We know the Territory has a major role to play in the development of the north with projects such as this, which are of national importance.”