Centre For Aquaculture

We envisage a future defined by the continued growth and strategic expansion of sustainable aquatic industries across South Australia, with the Eyre Peninsula playing a pivotal role. With its natural advantages and established expertise, the region is well-placed to become a national leader in both land and sea-based marine aquaculture.

We see South Australia at the forefront of innovation in aquaculture, underpinned by scientific research, industry collaboration, and forward-thinking regulation. With the right policy support and investment, the state has the potential to deliver long-term economic, environmental, and regional development outcomes through a thriving aquaculture sector.

Our vision is to contribute to the responsible development of this industry — one that creates jobs, supports local communities, strengthens food security, and safeguards our marine and freshwater environments. By working in partnership with government, industry and research institutions, we aim to help shape a sustainable aquaculture future that benefits all South Australians.

Our primary business, Sea Ready Shellfish, operates as a dedicated shellfish hatchery and nursery, currently producing high-quality spat for growers of both Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and native flat oysters (Ostrea angasi). We supply grower-out operations across South Australia with robust, well-conditioned ‘sea ready’ seed that is primed for successful transfer into open-water farming environments. Our operations are entirely focused on providing resilient juvenile oysters that meet the specific demands of commercial aquaculture.

Our hatchery is the foundation of the Sea Ready Shellfish operation. Here, we manage the complete early lifecycle of oysters through broodstock conditioning, spawning induction, larval rearing, and early settlement. We operate under strict protocols to ensure genetic integrity and disease control, while maintaining high standards of water quality, nutrition, and temperature regulation throughout all stages of larval development.

Once oysters have settled and begun shell formation, they are transferred to our land-based nursery systems, where they are grown out to a hardened ‘sea ready’ stage. During this critical transitional phase, we gradually expose spat to conditions that simulate the marine environment — including natural temperature fluctuations, variable salinity, and increased water flow — to build resilience prior to deployment on farms.