Barramundi industry boom sees job numbers double in Townsville

A statewide barra boom has seen aquaculture jobs double in Townsville, as new figures reveals production is up by 15 per cent.

BARRA BOOM: Spring Creek Barramundi farm manager Tim Bade says their production has been steadily increased to an anticipated 500 plus tonnes this financial year. Picture: Shae Beplate.

A statewide barra boom has seen aquaculture jobs double in Townsville, as new figures reveals production is up by 15 per cent.

The latest figures from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries show the number of full-time equivalent aquaculture jobs in the Townsville region soared to 218 in 2021-22, compared to 109 in 2020-21.

The jobs boost was fuelled by the booming barramundi industry, which saw its statewide value increasing to $46.3m in 2021-22, up from $34.9m in 2020-21.

The production of barra has also increased by almost 15 per cent – from 3,478 tonnes sold in 2020-21 to 3,992 tonnes in 2021-22.

The figures show prawn sector value also increased to $167.1m in 2021-22, up from $146.6m in the previous financial year.

Prawns sold increased nine per cent from just over 8000 tonnes to almost 8730 tonnes in the same period.

In Townsville, Spring Creek Barramundi farm manager Tim Bade said after undertaking some efficiency measures, their annual sales production had steadily increased from 440 tonnes in 2021-22 to an anticipated 500 plus tonnes in 2022-23.

He said a further anticipated increase is forecast and will take annual production to over 650 tonnes in 2023-24.

“Spring Creek has created six new full-time positions since 2020, increasing its workforce from 12 full-time equivalents to 18 full-time equivalents with the anticipation a further two positions will be added in FY24,” Mr Bade said.

“The farm has visions for further expansion and redevelopment of the current site in coming years with significant production increases and jobs creation both directly and indirectly if these visions can be made reality.

“This expansion will rely on the support of consumers nationwide asking for Aussie barramundi.”

Fish Factory owner Andrew Solomon with Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner. Picture: Richard Walker

Agriculture Industry Development and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said North Queensland’s aquaculture industry was continuing to attract new investment from lobster to red claw crayfish and barramundi.

“Under the Palaszczuk Government, Queensland aquaculture has grown from a fingerling to a big fish,” he said.

“We’ve declared almost 9000 hectares of Aquaculture Development Areas across eight land parcels in the last four years.

“We’ve also attracted major aquaculture investments by Ornatas in Toomulla Beach and Tassal in Proserpine.”

Originally published as Barramundi industry boom sees job numbers double in Townsville