Tasmanian seafood stalwarts unveil new $10m hatchery at Cressy

PETUNA Aquaculture has officially opened the doors to its new $10 million salmon and trout hatchery in northern Tasmania.

(L-R) Petuna Chief Operations Officer Richard Miller and CEO Mark Potter stand above an atlantic salmon fingerlings tank at the opening of the Petuna hatchery at Cressy

PETUNA Aquaculture has officially opened the doors to its new $10 million salmon and trout hatchery in northern Tasmania.

The state-of-the-art facility is located at Cressy, southwest of Launceston, and is part of the company’s existing hatchery operation.

Petuna Aquaculture chief executive officer Mark Porter said the new Cressy II facility would provide better environmental control.

Ocean trout fingerlings at the Petuna hatchery at Cressy.

The new system, which includes recirculation technology, uses less than five per cent of the water required for traditional systems.

“With the industry expected to reach $1 billion from 87,000 tonnes of production by 2030, sustainable aquaculture will be critical in providing sustainable food solutions for Australia and the world’s growing population,” Dr Porter said.

Premier Will Hodgman, who was on hand at today’s opening ceremony, welcomed Petuna’s continued investment in the state’s aquaculture industry.

“Petuna now supports 300 jobs across the state, with the hatchery expansion adding 26 jobs in the last 12 months alone,” he said in a statement.

“There are more than 1500 Tasmania’s working directly in aquaculture and a further 3800 jobs supported by the industry in Tasmania and throughout Australia, particularly in rural and remote areas.

“The construction of the new hatchery provided work for over 70 Tasmanians and the continued growth of the company will create additional employment opportunities around the state in the future.

“Congratulations to Peter and Una Rockliff, who founded Petuna 65 years ago, and to the current CEO Mark Porter for growing the company into a Tasmanian icon in one of the world’s fastest growing food sectors.”