9 August 2024 Innovation Paves the Way for Sustainable Aquaculture Expansion in Queensland

Central Queensland University is leading a project to develop a new, faster method for extracting nutrients from aquaculture wastewater using electro-flocculation. This project has the potential to create a circular economy for the aquaculture industry in Queensland, promoting its further expansion and improving the profitability of the sector.

Growing Queensland Industry

The Australian aquaculture industry is worth more than $2 billion annually and growing rapidly. In Queensland, aquaculture has increased its value by 17% in the last five years, with sales at approximately $225 million in 2021-22 and a regional workforce growing to 899 employees. Prawn aquaculture is expanding even more rapidly, with production increasing from 6,245 tonnes in 2019-2020 to 8,728 tonnes in 2021-2022, with projections for continued growth over the coming five to ten years.

However, the removal of excess nitrogen from wastewater represents a major challenge for expansion of the industry. The standard process used to remove excess nitrogen is time consuming and costly.

Innovation for the Circular Economy

Central Queensland University's project will address this challenge by developing a new method for extracting nutrients from aquaculture wastewater using electro-flocculation. This new method is expected to be faster and more efficient than the standard process, and it could also help to reduce the cost of wastewater treatment.

In addition, the project will investigate the potential value of the waste material as bioproducts, such as protein rich cattle feeds or as an energy source in a bioreactor. This could create new revenue streams for aquaculture businesses and help to further reduce the environmental impact of the industry.

The outcome of the project will be a circular economy for the aquaculture industry in Queensland. This will promote the further expansion of the industry and improve the profitability of the sector, as well as helping to create new jobs and businesses in regional Queensland.

Sustainable Growth for Queensland

This project is a great example of how innovation can be used to address challenges and create opportunities in Queensland's agricultural sector and drive economic growth. The project is being led by Central Queensland University, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Rural Economic Development and the Department of Agriculture and Fishers Agri-Science, and the Australian Prawn Farmers Association.

This project to remove nitrogen and add value to aquaculture wastewater is proudly supported by Advance Queensland with more than $600,000 in funding through Industry Research Projects grants.

About Industry Research Projects

Industry Research Projects supports researchers and industry to collaborate to translate research outcomes into commercialisation opportunities.

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