Australian fisheries and aquaculture thrived in 2022

Aquaculture has had another successful year within the Australian seafood industry, according to the latest edition of ABARES Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics.

​Acting ABARES Executive Director David Galeano said the gross value of fishery and aquaculture production (GVP) in 2021-22 increased by 8% to $3.42 billion, with aquaculture exceeding the value of wild-catch.

​“Over the last two decades we’ve seen aquaculture continue to grow, helping to boost overall fisheries production,” Mr Galeano said.

​“The share of aquaculture in total Australian fisheries and aquaculture GVP in 2021-22 was 56%, driven largely by an increased value of salmonids.

​“The total value of fishery and aquaculture products exports increased by 2% to $1.28 billion in 2021-22, largely reflecting the increased export values of salmonids and abalone.

​“Australians love their seafood, a fact that’s hard to forget as we head into the holiday season when many will be enjoying Australian prawns.

​“In 2021-22, Australians consumed around 350,000 tonnes of seafood in 2021-22, equivalent to 13.8 kilograms per person.

​“While consumption of seafood was less than chicken, pork and beef, it was above lamb and sheep meat consumption for the year.

​“The value of fishery and aquaculture products imports increased by 2% to $2.19 billion in 2021-22, driven mostly by an increase in the value of prawns.”

​Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics 2022 is supported by funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on behalf of the Australian Government and is available on the ABARES website: Fisheries and aquaculture statistics 2022.