Huon Aquaculture Co-founder, Frances Bender today welcomed the official opening of a new Experimental Aquaculture Facility (EAF) in the south of Tasmania and the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

The EAF will enable research on larger fish in a controlled saltwater environment to support advances in feed development and disease management.

Huon Aquaculture Co-founder and Executive Director, Frances Bender, said that the facility marked an important milestone in research and development for the industry.

“The extension of aquaculture research in Tasmania what will occur as a result of this investment will be an invaluable contribution to our reputation as leaders in this field both here and abroad. It will allow us to continue to innovate and grow in a sustainable and truly Tasmanian way.

“I think it’s important that we stop and savour this moment because research and development is a long game, as today’s opening demonstrates and why it is so important that we continue to make decisions that will put our industry in good sted in years to come.”

Huon Aquaculture has contributed funding this project alongside aquaculture feed companies Skretting and Ridley and in collaboration with the Commonwealth and Tasmania governments, the Australian Cooperative Research Centre and the University of Tasmania.