BioMar Australia have commenced aqua-feed production at their state-of-the-art 40 million euro facility in Tasmania, Australia, which is welcome news for the local aquaculture industry at a time when many businesses are facing COVID-19 operating restrictions.
In a virtual media conference to comply with social distancing requirements, Minster for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett congratulated BioMar on achieving this milestone.
BioMar Australia’s Managing Director, David Whyte, who was onsite during the virtual launch, thanked all parties involved for helping BioMar deliver the project on schedule and budget.
“While it’s not currently possible to formally celebrate our opening together with our staff, customers and community, we must acknowledge all those involved in bringing the project to life. We are now up and running in Tasmania and we’re excited to add our technical and production capacity to the region’s aquaculture industry,” stated Mr. Whyte.
“Trials of our products are already underway in a variety of species in Australia and New Zealand, and we are bringing BioMar’s global best practices and nutritional know-how into our region helping to support sustainable innovation in aquaculture.”
Carlos Diaz, CEO of BioMar Group also attended the virtual opening event from Chile and expressed the important global role of BioMar Australia and the local aquaculture industry.
“Globally aquaculture is a growing industry with growth expected to double by 2050. BioMar is committed to helping Tasmania and our wider region play an important role in this endeavor, supporting farmers to grow healthy, sustainable and safe food,” Mr. Diaz said.
BioMar announced plans to establish production in Australia back in 2017 and after a two-year build, the first trucks of fish-feed have started to roll out of the facility. The production facility will produce up to 110,000 tonnes per annum of aqua feed to support the Australian and Oceania aquaculture industry. Despite COVID-19, it is business as usual production-wise at the facility with the adoption of key social distancing measures to ensure the wellbeing of BioMar employees.