BioMar Australia begins aquafeed production at its state-of-the-art €40 million 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, Minister 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 in 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,” said 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,” said Whyte.

Carlos Diaz, CEO of BioMar Group, also attended the virtual opening event from Chile. “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,” 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 tons per year of aquafeeds to support the Australian and Oceania aquaculture industry. Despite COVID-19, production is running as usual on-site key social distancing measures being taken to ensure the well-being of BioMar employees.