The NSW Government has today launched the $20 million Aquaculture Industry Development Program to strengthen and expand the NSW seafood industry’s economic contribution to NSW.

The program is designed to boost productivity and increase sustainability across farming operations for oysters, mussels, kelp, and algae, as well as freshwater and marine fish hatcheries and bioproducts.

The state government says that by investing in sustainability and productivity, it is helping future-proof the industry, attract investment, and ensure regional communities continue to benefit from a strong, resilient seafood sector.

This grant program enables further action for implementing the NSW Government’s Aquaculture Vision Statement, released last year.

The vision was developed by the NSW Government with close input from industry and experts to deliver a strategic pathway to achieve the goal of doubling the state’s aquacultural farmgate production to $300 million by 2030.

Under the program, the aquaculture and commercial fishing industries will have access to two targeted funding streams, offering grants from $500,000 to $2 million, for the following: 

• Stream One - Projects focused on infrastructure upgrades to support growth and productivity, such as equipment upgrades, supply chain improvements and new product development.
• Stream Two - Projects that reduce carbon emissions and promote reuse and regeneration of materials, such as converting equipment to lower emissions or creating bioproducts and utilising waste streams such as processing of oyster shells.

The Aquaculture Industry Development Program is part of the NSW Government’s broader commitment to support local manufacturing, food security, net zero goals, and economic development in regional communities.

This $20 million investment will help the sector address opportunities and challenges facing the industry, such as:

• incoming mandatory Country-of-Origin Labelling requirements for seafood served in hospitality venues from 2026
• managing environmental and biosecurity risks in fisheries and hatcheries
• supply chain challenges of getting produce to state, national and international markets.

Aboriginal businesses and organisations, including Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations, are strongly encouraged to apply.

The NSW Government’s Aquaculture Vision Statement supports industry growth through enhancing productivity, streamlining legislation, and supporting innovative research.

The Aquaculture Industry Development Program is part of the NSW Government’s Regional Development Trust that is delivering strategic investments to drive economic development and better outcomes for our regional communities.

Business and organisations are encouraged to apply and submit projects by the end of Sunday, 18 January 2026. Program details can be found at: nsw.gov.au/aidp.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said, “This program will deliver real economic benefits and jobs to regional and coastal communities by helping seafood businesses grow and become more efficient.

“This is a great opportunity for regional aquaculture and commercial fishing businesses to tap into the growing national and global appetite for high-quality protein.

“It means the industry can innovate and look at growing the exciting new developments in seaweed, algae and freshwater and marine bioproducts.

“Ultimately, it’s about boosting jobs, strengthening our seafood and emerging bioproducts sectors, and making sure we can keep enjoying the great seafood New South Wales is known for.”

President NSW Farmers, Xavier Martin, said, “The NSW aquaculture industry has set a target to double its farmgate production value to $300 million by 2030, and this initiative will help achieve this through industry innovation, climate change adaptation and the diversification of products.

“As the sector recovers, this program will help ensure industry can manage the risks and take advantage of opportunities in the coming years and decades, through the sustainable development of our natural resources and support for innovation.”

OceanWatch CEO, Lowri Pryce, said, “The Aquaculture Industry Development Program will benefit development and innovation across the seafood sector, including supply chain innovation, carbon net zero and seafood traceability initiatives.

“We know these grants will be well-received by commercial fishers in NSW who are looking for new opportunities to develop and innovate, to ensure a sustainable future for their industry.”