Growth in the aquaculture sector is required to meet an increasing global demand for quality protein.

A key to supporting this growth is to diversify species being produced and relieve pressure from over-exploited wild fisheries.

Researchers led by Associate Professor Tomer Ventura at UniSC’s Centre for Bioinnovation (CBI) have partnered with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at the University of Tasmania, the University of Auckland, and PFG Group to support the emergence and development of Australia’s first sustainable onshore lobster aquaculture industry.

During its inception, the collaboration focused on developing innovative apparatus and unique methods to sustainably farm and mass produce temperate rock lobsters.

The breeding technology developed over decades of collaborative foundational research closed the species’ complex life cycle and has been commercialised through the first tropical rock lobster aquaculture company ‘Ornatas’, which operates out of Toomulla Beach near Townsville.

Within its first three years of operation, Ornatas produced highly-valued tropical rock lobsters from egg to product size in captivity, compared to the wild grow out rate of five to seven years.

These lobsters attract a 30% premium on standard pricing as they are 100% Australian owned and grown and highly regarded around the world.

It is expected that production over the next five years will help to relieve pressure from wild populations and global fisheries and build a sustainable future for seafood production.