Expressions of Interest called for prawn farms planned for West Kimberley

3/8/02
Prawn farming planned for the Dampier Peninsula north of Broome could boost the State's export earnings and create new opportunities for local Aboriginal communities.
Fisheries Minister Kim Chance and Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today announced that Expressions of Interest have been called for commercial developers to join Aboriginal communities in the region to investigate the establishment of prawn farms.
Mr Chance said the Dampier Peninsula's tropical climate and expanse of large tidal flats made the region potentially suitable for tropical prawn farming, especially the black tiger prawn.
"The sites are in one of the most isolated regions of WA and are free of industrial pollution," he said.
"The proximity of Asian markets and infrastructure within the coastal towns of Broome and Derby are an added attraction for aquaculture development in the area."
Ms MacTiernan said the initiative was an important development for the WA aquaculture industry.
"If the State Government, Aboriginal communities and the private sector can work together to turn this opportunity into successful joint ventures, the potential rewards are enormous," she said.
"As well as establishing a sustainable prawn aquaculture industry in the West Kimberley, we will be creating jobs on land close to Aboriginal communities."
Seven sites have been identified along the Peninsula from Carnot Bay in the south to Chile Creek in the north. They are located within or near land that is being used by local Aboriginal communities and include sites at Beagle Bay, Chattur Bay and Cunningham Point.
Preferred applicants for the sites will be required to negotiate joint venture arrangements with the communities.
The Department of Land Administration will help preferred applicants meet native title requirements and will also provide suitable land tenure arrangements for the sites.
Successful applicants will need to meet all Government approval requirements as well as apply for an aquaculture licence.
A preliminary assessment of a prawn farming industry on the Dampier Peninsula was undertaken by the Fisheries Department in 2000.
A working group comprising representatives of the Department of Land Administration, local Aboriginal Communities, Kimberley Aquaculture Aboriginal Corporation, Indigenous Land Corporation, Kimberley Land Council, Indigenous Affairs Department, Kimberley Development Commission, Industry and the Fisheries Department agreed to call for EOIs for the industry.
Further information on the proposal can be obtained by visiting the Fisheries Department (http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/) or the DOLA (http://www.dola.wa.gov.au/) websites.
Minister Chance's Office - 9213 6700
Minister MacTiernan's Office - 92136400