21/03/06
Fisheries Minister Jon Ford today welcomed the opening of a new state-of-the-art marron processing facility in Manjimup, which will lead to a significant increase in the industry's export potential.
"More than 175 growers are producing the delicacy in marron farms across the South-West and the new Blue Ridge Marron facility will provide processing facilities that will be able to purge, hold and pack up to 1.5 tonnes of live marron at a time," Mr Ford said.
The Minister said the unique and sought-after freshwater crayfish had already found its way to restaurants and dinner plates all over the world.
"The industry is worth more than $1million annually to the State, with the potential to earn even more as the list of interstate and international customers grows," he said.
"Establishment of these new facilities by Blue Ridge Marron shows confidence in the potential of marron production in Western Australia."
South-West MLC Matt Benson, who officially opened the facility on behalf of the Minister, said it would have five times the capacity of the company's initial infrastructure and could lead to a greater supply of marron for marketing.
"Many gourmets enjoy the taste of the delectable white flesh and love the look of the bright red shell when marron are cooked - the demand for marron in recent years has made farming this food increasingly lucrative," Mr Benson said.
"Marron farming allows agricultural farmers an opportunity to diversify and gain an additional income stream from activity that presents a low risk to the environment."
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development Mick Murray said the marron industry was a great success story for the South-West and the new facility would help cement its continued growth.
As chairman of the Aquaculture Deregulatory Working Group, set up by Mr Ford last year, Mr Murray said the State Government was looking at ways to further the growth of the industry.
"A large number of family-based farms are involved in the marron industry, which has created additional jobs and opportunities in regional areas," he said.
Mr Ford congratulated Blue Ridge Marron for investing in its new facilities, which currently served 50 licensed growers.
"These new facilities include an automated filtration system and temperature adjustments to deliver optimum conditions for holding marron, adding to the quality control," he said.
"This commitment to developing WA's marron industry will help grow and improve the export potential for the South-West delicacy."
Minister's office: 9213 7200
