The NRE Tas Aquaculture Branch facilitates a range of community engagement opportunities, bringing regulatory, scientific, and industry experts to the public to enhance understanding of aquaculture operations, management, and interactions with the natural environment. These events often include interactive models and displays on marine planning, compliance, biosecurity, animal welfare, research and innovation, and environmental interactions.
Increasing transparency, improving communications, and proactively interacting with the Tasmanian community about aquaculture are priorities for the government, as outlined in the Tasmanian Salmon Industry Plan. Community engagement opportunities are held each year to enable community members and organisations to engage regularly and consistently in salmon planning, as well as broader aquaculture and marine resource management.
In 2025, this program has seen aquaculture staff exhibiting at Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart and Agfest in northern Tasmania, and attend the Strahan Aquaculture Community Forum.
Australian Wooden Boat Festival
February 2025
We joined the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) in the Gotta Love Tassie Seafood marquee. For four days (7-10 Feb), dedicated aquaculture staff shared information and answered questions about aquaculture in Tasmania. The Marine Farm Deveopment Planning process was demonstrated through Marine Atlas, the Salmon Portal could be explored, and ShellMAP equipment was also used to open up conversations.
Aquaculture staff from NRE Tas, alongside specialists from FRDC, IMAS and CSIRO at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2025
Agfest
May 2025
Aquaculture specialists from NRE Tas, Biosecurity Tasmania, and IMAS presented an interactive aquaculture section offering insights into aquaculture regulation in Tasmania, the species being farmed, innovative product development, and ongoing research into environmental interactions. Patrons even had the opportunity to drive a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) underwater and learn how ROVs and drones are used for aquaculture regulation and compliance.
This was part of the Fishing Hub, which focused on the roles government, industry, science, and the community have in sustainability to ensure ‘Fish for the Future’. Other displays addressed key topics such as Rock Lobster catch reporting, marine heatwaves, sardine research, best practices in fish handling to increase survival rates, and efforts to rebuild Sand Flathead populations.
CSIRO conducted a survey of 266 visitors to the Fishing Hub, providing valuable feedback on how we can better educate and engage with the community. While satisfaction scores averaged 9.9 out of 10, we’re already planning new features for next year!
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Aquaculture and Biosecurity staff from NRE Tas, alongside Dr Jeff Ross from IMAS, at the interactive aquaculture display including an ROV used for aquaculture compliance inspections
Strahan Aquaculture Community Forum
May 2025
NRE Tas presented at the Strahan Aquaculture Community Forum about the Tasmanian Salmon Plan. The forum was well-attended with representation from three of the largest salmon companies operating in Tasmania. Important updates were provided from CSIRO, IMAS and UTAS, and the Salmon Implementation Program was discussed, including the actions in progress and those recently completed such as the Maugean Skate Action Plan.
Strahan Community Aquaculture Forum
To hear about upcoming opportunities with Marine Resources at NRE Tas, keep an eye on Fishing Tasmania's news and events page, the Aquaculture page on this website and subscribe to Fishing News.