An NT first seafood processing plant has opened its doors in Darwin

A new business is shipping offshore seafood processing to dry land - and its founders have an eye for even more improvements. Read their plans.

Territory barra and other not-so-famous fish will be processed onshore in Darwin for the first time.

The NT’s biggest commercial fishers Wild Barra Fisheries on Monday opened a new seafood processing plant at Darwin’s East Arm commercial precinct.

With a workforce of seven within the processing facility and about 25 within the company, Wild Barra Fisheries director Cameron Berryman expects the processing plant to double in size within the next year.

Wild Barra Fisheries spent more than a $1m fitting out the building with a new and modern fish processing facility it is hoped will add another layer to the NT’s food security and selection.

There’s ice work if you can get it at Wild Barra Fisheries’ new Darwin processing plant.

Mr Berryman said the processing facility would value add Territory-caught produce as well as increase its availability to the public.

“Up until today we were processing on board our vessels at sea,” Mr Berryman said. “Obviously the complication with that are our crews working out there in extreme conditions where safety is an issue, so we’re focused on bringing it into shore for processing with better quality control and to be able to sell a better product around Australia.”

The processing plant will process about one-and-a-half-tonnes of fish a day, ramping up to four tonnes a day in coming months.

Wild Barra Fisheries already export Territory-caught barra and other seafood to markets in all states except Tasmania, and the new plant will allow them to increase the range and quantities of local exports.

Yenna Ong, owner's representative, Agribusiness Minister Paul Kirby and Wild Barra Fisheries director Cameron Berryman director.

Technology, such as a new portion machine, allow for precision cuts and increased output and as the business grows there will be additional opportunities to automate towards crumbers or drying machines for additional value-adding.

The company is also working through the process of securing export accreditation which will put Asian markets within reach.

“The NT has a full range of seafood that arrives on the doorstep so we’re going to be talking to other companies that operate up here if they’d like to value-add to their product in a different way, then we’re certainly here to help and work with them,” Mr Berryman said.

Wild Barra Fisheries employee Hannah Audet

NT Seafood Council chief executive Katherine Winchester recently released its vision for seafood processing capacity in the NT.

“I am thrilled to witness the fruition of years of hard work and collaboration from Wild Barra Fisheries,” Ms Winchester said.

“With the introduction of high technology equipment to the Northern Territory, the Wild Barra Fisheries facility will revolutionise how the NT seafood industry process and portion seafood. “This leap forward in efficiency and precision will enhance the industry’s competitiveness in the global market.”

Agribusiness Minister Paul Kirby said the new plant had potential to deliver a range of benefits.

“It’s really important to understand what this can bring to the Northern Territory, how this can expand the opportunities in the Territory not just on site here but through transport and logistics and in communities,” he said.