PLANS to establish commercial shellfish aquaculture in Jervis Bay went on public exhibition last week.
“If approved, this State Significant Infrastructure aquaculture project would help increase the supply of locally produced seafood, generate local jobs, and provide an economic boost to the South Coast,” Minister for Primary Industries and Small Business, Katrina Hodgkinson said.
“The application is for three leases including a 10 hectare site 700m off Vincentia over a previous mussel lease, and two areas of 20 hectares 1.5 and 1.9km off Callala Beach.
“Native species such as blue mussel, scallops and oysters would be grown. To reduce visual impact, rafts would not be used and shellfish would be suspended from lines supported by buoys.
“Jervis Bay has a history of aquaculture which began in the 1930s with oysters and late 1970’s with blue mussels, and the NSW Government also undertook scallop aquaculture research in the 1990s.
“If approved, these leases would be tendered to commercial shellfish enterprises.”
Ms Hodgkinson said the NSW Government is committed to supporting sustainable aquaculture.
“Global demand for seafood is rapidly expanding primarily due to population growth and increased seafood consumption per capita,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
Local Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said “if approved, the commercial leases would provide employment opportunities, such as seafood processing, service industries and tourism.
“Educational and research opportunities would also be opened for local high schools and the Shoalhaven campus of the University of Wollongong,” Ms Hancock said.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and draft Environmental Management Plan have been prepared and will be publically exhibited for 35 days from 10 October till 13 November 2013.
Ms Hodgkinson said valuable input received from around 90 key stakeholders and community groups has helped identify issues of concern which have been addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement.”
A short summary document has been prepared and will be sent to those contacted during the development of the EIS and will also be made available on the Aquaculture section of DPI’s website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
The community “drop in” information days will be held at:
- Huskisson Community Centre – Wednesday 23 October from 2pm-7pm
- Callala Beach Community Hall – Thursday 24 October from 2pm-7pm
To view the EIS, EMP or lodge a submission, visit the Department of Planning and Infrastructure’s website www.planning.nsw.gov.au
