Australia Bay Seafoods has taken delivery of new trawler Australia Bay, reported to be a $10 million investment for the family-owned company.
‘This investment is a strong show of confidence in the future of Territory fisheries, particularly during a challenging year for many in the industry,’ said Northern Territory Seafood Council chief executive Daniel Capps following Australia Bay’s formal launch at the Francis Bay Mooring Basin in Darwin.
‘The launch of Australia Bay not only supports up to 20 jobs directly, but also provides ongoing benefits through maintenance work, and the purchase of fuel and food supplies locally, as well as the broader supply chain. Beyond the economic and employment benefits, this is about sustaining our Territory lifestyle where seafood plays a vital role in our diverse community. It ensures that we can continue to enjoy seafood sourced from world-class, sustainably managed fisheries.’
Built in Vietnam for Australia Bay Seafoods, the new trawler incorporates a range of sustainable innovations, reflecting the company’s dedication to responsible resource management.
Australia Bay Seafoods operates on a variety of demersal stocks, focusing primarily on two snapper species that account for 80% of catches.
The company’s trawlers operate with semi-pelagic gear designed to minimise habitat disturbance, which also has the added bonus of improving catch quality. Trawls are also rigged with T90 codend extension sections to reduce catches of small fish. Australia Bay Seafoods developed its own grid made in stainless steelwire to enable larger by-catch such as sharks to escape, and a hopper release system of guards and rails on deck enables large animals such as sharks and rays to be returned to the water unharmed.
