About aquaculture in NT
PhD research opportunity
Do you have an interest in marine biofouling solutions and want to work in the tropics?
The Tropical Aquaculture Research team at the University of the Sunshine Coast, in partnership with the Australian Government and the Northern Territory Fisheries, is recruiting a PhD candidate to conduct research on larval biology and the effect of biocides on the biofouling oyster Planostrea pestigris.
Aquaculture is the farming of fish, plants and other organisms that live in fresh or sea water.
Read more about the species used for aquaculture in the Northern Territory.
Licences
You must have a licence to run any kind of aquaculture business.
No matter how big your operation is, you must get a licence if you do any of the following:
- farm, breed, culture, or keep live fish or aquatic life for sale or aquaculture purposes
- whether they are sold or used, live or dead or
- to exhibit any of them for profit
- sell live aquatic life, live fish, or any live eggs, fry, spat, or larva of fish.
Types of licence
There are 2 types of aquaculture licence, based on the size of the operation:
- an ornamental aquaculture licence is suitable for small-scale aquarium hobbyists who want to breed and sell their fish, aquatic plants and invertebrates. The facility must hold less than 10,000 litres of water. Read more about how to apply for an ornamental aquaculture licence.
- a commercial aquaculture licence is for larger scale commercial facilities with a total water volume of more than 10,000 litres. Read more about how to apply for a commercial aquaculture licence.
Research and industry support
Read below to find out about research and development programs and how to get support for your aquaculture business.
Darwin Aquaculture Centre
The Darwin Aquaculture Centre (DAC) runs research and development programs for aquaculture businesses in the NT.
The centre is currently researching ways to farm:
- black-lipped oysters, and
- black jewfish.
The centre is also using barramundi brood stock to support a recreational fishing stocking program in the greater Darwin area.
Watch the video below to find out more about the DAC.
NT Fisheries
The aquaculture branch of NT Fisheries can provide all of the following services to your business:
- planning, including finding suitable sites and looking after the environment
- advice to investors including how to reach a range of government agencies
- aquatic animal health advice, together with the Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories.
Aquaculture branch staff are in regular contact with licence holders.
Useful publications
A collection of useful publications are available below.
You can get a number of publications from the DAC, including:
- NT barramundi farming handbook PDF (1.7 MB)
- Recirculating marine aquaculture systems PDF (5.3 MB)
- Is the use of fishmeal and fish oil in aquaculture diets sustainable PDF (152.6 KB)
Access a number of useful publications from the Wiley online library:
- Optimizing stocking density and microalgae ration improves the growth potential of tropical black-lip oyster, Saccostrea echinata, larvae.
- Embryonic, Larval, and Early Post larval Development of the Tropical Black-Lip Rock Oyster Saccostrea echinata
- Monsoonally Driven Reproduction in the Tropical Black-Lip Rock Oyster Saccostrea echinata
- Water temperature and salinity synergistically affect embryonic and larval development of the tropical black-lip rock oyster Saccostrea echinata
- Evaluating spawning induction methods for the tropical black-lip rock oyster, Saccostrea echinata
- Mitochondrial and nuclear genetic analyses of the tropical black-lip rock oyster (Saccostrea echinata) reveals population subdivision and informs sustainable aquaculture development.
- Optimizing stocking density and microalgae ration improves the growth potential of tropical black-lip oyster, Saccostrea echinata, larvae.
- Sea ranching release techniques for cultured sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) juveniles within the high-energy marine environments of northern Australia
- A Sperm Spawn-Inducing Pheromone in the Silver Lip Pearl Oyster (Pinctada maxima)
Indigenous aquaculture
The DAC works with other agencies on aquaculture projects for Indigenous communities.
The centre is running trials for sea cucumbers, giant clams and oysters.
If your Aboriginal community wants to start an aquaculture project, you should contact NT Fisheries on 08 8999 2144.
Before you start
You will need a lot of skills and knowledge to work in aquaculture.
You should do thorough research and training before starting a new venture.
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