July 11, 2023

New research and industry collaboration to connect local communities with regenerative farming

Project will focus on waters off the NSW South Coast

• Regenerative farming plays an important role in both low-impact food and resource production as well as achieving a healthy and balanced marine environment.
• A new collaboration on regenerative farming between researchers from the Blue Economy CRC and University of Wollongongand local industry leaders is looking at how Indigenous, community and economic values can inform the emerging seaweed farming sector and evolving shellfish farming in waters off the south coast of NSW.
• The NSW South Coast is already home to a healthy and vibrant oyster industry along with two mussel farms in Jervis Bay and Eden, with a capacity to grow responsibly.
• A thriving seaweed industry will greatly contribute to not only local economic growth but also play a role in improving water quality.
• This research will look at social, economic, and cultural values and explore the benefits and impacts of the emerging seaweed farming and other regenerative industries for local communities on the south coast of NSW.
• Outputs will include guidance for industry leaders to inform any future consultation processes for new regenerative farming leases.

The Blue Economy CRC and University of Wollongong (UOW)  have partnered with local aquaculture industry leaders to undertake social, economic, and cultural research to support regenerative farming in waters off the south coast of NSW, focusing on the emerging seaweed farming industry and shellfish farming.

Regenerative farming is considered one of the most sustainable forms of aquaculture on the planet. It involves the natural environment providing the inputs needed for growth, allowing stock to grow on its own using natural food sources and conditions.

Today, shellfish farming dominates Australia’s regenerative farming footprint. However, Australia’s coastal waters are home to thousands of native seaweed species and offer the potential for a thriving seaweed industry.

This collaborative research project will examine the potential to further develop regenerative farming in the waters off the south coast of NSW, including optimising marine space through the co-location of seaweed and shellfish on the same sites. 

The project team will work alongside community, Indigenous rights holders and other marine estate users to understand what matters to them when it comes to growing the blue economy, and what is needed to address community sentiment and grow community support for regenerative aquaculture opportunities in the local area.

A series of community focused activities and events are planned over the coming months including a phone-based survey and open community information sessions. The first community information session will be held on Thursday 20 July from 4.30pm – 6pm at Bermagui Community Centre. Register to attend here.

A second session will follow in Eden in August.

These activities will be a chance for the project team to listen and learn from local community experiences and aspirations. The results will form advice to industry and Government partners about potential pathways for meaningful and genuine collaborations when they undertake formal impact assessment and approval processes.

Media quotes

Angela Williamson, Director of Blue Policy and Planning, Blue Economy CRC, “Working with community and industry leaders at the onset of an emerging industry allows a deep exploration of what contributes to social licence and how new and emerging industries like seaweed farming can work in partnership with local communities to maximise environmental, social and economic benefits from day 1.”

Dr Michelle Voyer from The University of Wollongong, “Our role in this collaboration is to conduct research which will explore how communities feel about these new activities, and identify how these businesses can work with local residents to share the benefits of the developments and address any areas of concern.”  

Jo Lane, SeaEO Seahealth Products, “As a marine biologist and long-term resident of the south coast I am very concerned about our declining kelp forests which provide important habitat for many marine species. 

Kelp farming, often referred to as regenerative ocean farming has many environmental benefits including reducing ocean acidification and improving biodiversity. 

I am very keen to meet with the community to understand their views about our proposal for a seaweed farm in the area.”

Christopher Ride, Founder of Auskelp, “Increasing ocean temperatures have caused a sharp reduction in wild kelp numbers in Australian waters.”

“If successful, this may do more than just create local jobs and deliver high-protein foods and products in an environmentally friendly way; kelp farming may just help to preserve kelp in NSW waters over the longer term.”

About the Blue Economy CRC 

The Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is established and supported under the Australian Government’s CRC Program, grant number CRC-20180101. The CRC Program supports industry-led collaborations between industry, researchers and the community. With a 10-year life, the Blue Economy CRC brings together 44 industry, government, and research partners from ten countries with expertise in aquaculture, marine renewable energy, maritime engineering, environmental assessments and policy and regulation. Further information about the CRC Program is available at www.business.gov.au

About the Blue Futures Translational Research initiative

The Blue Futures Translational Research Initiative (BF-TRI) is a collaboration between researchers from across the University of Wollongong, including the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), the Australian Centre for Environment, Society and Space (ACCESS) and the Faculty of Business and Law. The initiative incorporates a number of projects focused on the Illawarra and South Coast region and aims to generate, translate and apply interdisciplinary knowledge to create a sustainable, inclusive Blue Future in partnership with local communities. https://www.uow.edu.au/ancors/bf-tri/

This project was successful at securing funds from the Regional NSW – Business Case and Strategy Development Fund - Round 1. Find out more about the project and sign up to the project mailing list HERE.