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Ocean Barramundi Expansion Project

Project Overview

Aerial imagery of sea cages at the current Cone Bay barramundi farm

Sustainable aquaculture plays a crucial role in meeting the growing global demand for protein while providing economic benefits to local communities through job creation, infrastructure development, and support for secondary industries. In Australia, barramundi aquaculture is a promising area for growth, especially as demand for sustainably produced seafood increases.

Since 2023, when Tassal acquired the Cone Bay barramundi farm from Marine Produce Australia (MPA), we have been working to consolidate, streamline and modernise current operations. Barramundi has been produced at the Cone Bay site in the Kimberley Aquaculture Development Zone since 2004, and Tassal is now applying 35 years of finfish farming knowledge and expertise from Tasmania to transform ocean farming practices for barramundi in Western Australia.

The Ocean Barramundi Expansion Project involves development of seven new lease sites at strategic locations in the Buccaneer Archipelago. These sites were selected for their improved operational and environmental suitability for modern, sustainable barramundi aquaculture. The project has been scaled down from the original thirteen sites proposed under previous management and Tassal has been working closely with the Mayala Native Title holders to secure their consent for the smaller footprint of development through the negotiation of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA).

"After careful consideration of the economic, environmental, cultural heritage and operational aspects of the original proposal put forward by MPA, we consider that reducing the scale of the project takes a more responsible approach to growth – one that is led by market demand – enabling a gradual increase so we can closely manage our environmental footprint and other important natural and cultural values of the Kimberley World Heritage Area."

Tassal's Approach

As a leading Australian seafood brand, Tassal is committed to growing its barramundi operations with care and respect for local environments and communities. Our goal is to provide Australian consumers with healthy, nutritious fish while contributing positively to Kimberley communities and the regional economy.

Transparency & Responsiveness: We are committed to helping the community understand Tassal’s operations and the technical aspects of finfish aquaculture. Through open communication, we aim to address concerns and engage meaningfully with the community. We believe transparency and responsiveness are key to building trust and fostering positive relationships with our stakeholders, and we welcome feedback on the Ocean Barramundi Expansion Project.

Environmental Stewardship: At the heart of Tassal’s approach to the Ocean Barramundi Expansion Project is a deep respect for the Buccaneer Archipelago’s natural and cultural heritage. Our barramundi farm in Cone Bay has Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification and our broader environmental stewardship achievements are demonstrated through Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and Global Good Aquaculture Practice (GAP) certifications in our salmon and prawn operations. We are confident that the proposed environmental monitoring and management framework outlined in the Environmental Review Documentation published here is sound and aligns to our firm commitment to sustainability. As we develop new barramundi sites, we will continue applying cutting-edge technology and best practises to enhance environmental performance.

Community Benefits: The Ocean Barramundi Expansion Project represents a $65 million investment in the Kimberley aquaculture industry, and underscores Tassal’s long-term commitment to becoming a major corporate citizen of the Kimberley community. As this project progresses, Tassal will invest in a local workforce, supporting skills development and career pathways. We will also establish and strengthen commercial partnerships in the region, while contributing to community initiatives aligned with our company values.

  • Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) Referral
    • May 2022, proposal referred to the EPA under Section 38 of the EP Act by Marine Produce Australia (MPA)
    • October 2022, EPA issued request for additional information for assessment under the EP Act
    • July 2023, Tassal acquired MPA Fish Farms Pty Ltd
    • January 2024, Tassal applied to amend the proposal to remove 5 marine grow-out sites and 3 land-based nursery sites
    • June 2024, EPA approved amendments to the proposal
    • December 2024, Tassal submited Environmental Review Documents for assessment
    • March 2025, Public review of Environmental Review Documents commenced
    • April 2025 onwards, EPA completes assessment of the proposal under the EP Act 
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Referral
    • July 2022, proposal referred to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for assessment under the EPBC Act by Marine Produce Australia (MPA)
    • August 2022, DCCEEW determined the proposal would be assessed at the level of a Public Environment Report (PER)
    • July 2023, Tassal acquired MPA Fish Farms Pty Ltd
    • January 2024, Tassal applied to amend the proposal to remove 5 marine grow-out sites and 3 land-based nursery sites
    • July 2024, DCCEEW approved amendments to the proposal
    • January 2025, Tassal submited the PER for assessment
    • February 2025 onwards, DCCEEW completes assessment of the proposal under the EPBC Act 

Quick Facts

Original total lease area applied for  – 1213 ha

Revised total lease area now being applied for – 817 ha

This represents a 33% reduction in area

 

Original proposed production volume - 30,000 tonnes

Revised proposed production volume - 17,500 tonnes

Potential for up to 140 new jobs in the Kimberley region

Project Document Library

Project Footprint Map

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Community Drop-in Sessions

Our team will be available for local community drop-in sessions to discuss the project. Please email jude.tyzack@tassal.com.au or call on 0458 806 098 for more detail.

  • Community Drop-in Sessions
    • Tuesday 1 April 2025 from 2pm to 5pm
    • Wednesday 2 April 2025 from 2pm to 5pm
    • Thursday 3 April 2025 from 8am to 10am

FAQ

Environmental conditions such as shelter, water depth, substrate type, and hydrodynamics – the project sites have unique characteristics that make them suitable for finfish aquaculture development, and they are considered more suitable than the current site in Cone Bay for both operational and environmental reasons.  For example, deeper water means greater dilution and flushing and less tidal drag on sea pen infrastructure, and proximity amongst islands provides shelter from wind and swell.  All sites are located so as to avoid reefs, pearl shell beds and other sensitive substrates.

No.  We intend to develop the sites gradually in response to anticipated growth in market demand for barramundi.  The project is not expected to be fully developed until at least 2035.

Yes.  In Western Australia, barramundi are found north from Exmouth Gulf, but are most abundant in the Kimberley.  Barramundi can live in freshwater or saltwater and their habitats include streams, rivers, lakes, billabongs, estuaries and coastal waters.

We have recently redeveloped nursery infrastructure previously utilised by Broome Tafe at the Broome Tropical Aquaculture Park (BTAP) and will stock the farm with juvenile barramundi transferred from this facility which will become fully operational in the first half of 2025.  The BTAP nursery receives barramundi fingerlings from Mainstream Aquaculture's barramundi hatchery in Victoria which is Best Aquaculture Practices accredited, and has the Sustainable Australian Barramundi Tick. 

Community Partners & Key Stakeholders

Tassal has a long history of supporting local community organisations and social enterprises through strategic partnerships, community funding streams, and in-kind support. We are committed to understanding and addressing the needs of our people and the communities in which we operate.

In the Kimberley region we have negotiated a voluntary Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Mayala Inninalang Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC which was approved by the Mayala people in November 2024.  This agreement provides native title consent for Tassal to expand production of barramundi at the project sites which are located within the Mayala Marine Park and Mayala Indigenous Protection Area (IPA), and sets out a range of ways the Mayala people will be involved in the project. 

Tassal acknowledges other Traditional Owner groups who also have a strong connection to country in the areas surrounding the project sites and is continuing to work closely with the Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation to identify opportunities for collabration with the Dambimangari people.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and recognise that Australia is home to the oldest cultural tradition in the world.