Tasmania’s waterways are at a critical turning point. How we use them for work, play, and peace of mind is shifting rapidly.
During our trip through Brittany last week, we saw this same dynamic playing out. Conversations with local seafarmers revealed the real struggles facing even well-established seafarming businesses (stay tuned for a recap of what we discovered).
It's time for fresh approaches to how we interact with our marine environment—ensuring coastal communities can thrive without facing an uncertain future around our waterways.
For us, every line in the water is a step toward restoration. We couldn't do this work without our community behind us, so here’s a look at what we’ve been up to recently—and how you can get involved..
Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program
The Hatch program has now finished. We can’t stress how much participation in this accelerator program has advanced our cause and project. The knowledge we've gained, the networks we've established, the mentoring we've received has been outstanding. It won't guarantee our success but it's certainly made the path to success a lot easier.
The program awards a number grants and we received the $5,000 LG Life's Good Award. This was decided by public voting and underlines the community acceptance and support for what we are doing. Importantly, our involvement in the Hatch program has given us a clear path forward to raise the funds we need to make this project a reality. We are now better connected, better prepared and with real momentum going forward.
The icing on the cake is we've been invited to apply for the AMP Ignite program which is another well recognised and regarded accelerator program.
Ashurst Lawyers — Pro Bono Engagement
We're genuinely delighted to share that Ashurst, one of the world's leading international law firms, has accepted Bruny Island Seafarms as a pro bono client. This is an exceptional outcome that gives us access to top-tier legal expertise as we navigate leases, structures, and the regulatory landscape ahead. Their acceptance of us as a client comes as a direct result of our involvement in the Hatch program and is apparently exceedingly rare that they take on Hatch participants, so we are both honoured and thrilled. It also speaks volumes about how seriously the project is being taken.
Birchs Bay Pilot Farm
We're very, very pleased to confirm that the Birchs Bay pilot seafarm is now in the water. This has been achieved with the assistance of Balinga Farm installing our infrastructure. Another example of the community goodwill behind the project.
This is a milestone we've been working toward since inception and it's enormously satisfying to see it become a reality. Watch this space for updates as this sea farm develops.
Government Engagement
The level of government interest in Bruny Island Seafarms continues to grow in a very encouraging way. We continue to reach out to politicians from all parties to seek support right across the political spectrum. Our non-political stance is paying dividends with a visit to our Birchs Bay pilot farm by the Treasurer and local Member, Eric Abetz yesterday.
Having the state's Treasurer come and see the operation first-hand is a remarkable endorsement of the project's significance.
Mr Abetz said he is fully behind and supportive of what we are building – regenerative seafarming, regional employment and a sustainable food supply. The timing is good as work on the 2027/28 budget begins soon and he was able to suggest a few funding opportunities.
A meeting has also been requested by the office of Gavin Pearce, Minister for Primary Industries and Water — the minister directly responsible for aquaculture in Tasmania. Stay tuned for more news as a result of this meeting.
Our Structure Has Evolved — Two Entities, One Mission
As the project has grown, it became clear that a single entity couldn't do justice to everything we're building. So we've formalised what was has become obvious as our plans have evolved: a dual-entity structure that separates the commercial and the charitable. All the while keeping both firmly aligned to the same mission, to 'sustain the seas that sustain us'.
Bruny Island Seafarms Pty Ltd is the operating company — running the farms, generating revenue across multiple streams, and holding the R&D and sea farming IP. Seafarming Australia is the independent charitable foundation — facilitating regenerative sea farming methods, restoring habitat, educating and training new farmers and advocating for living seas around Tasmania and Australia.
The two entities are linked by constitution, a services agreement, and an MoU. What connects them is a profit-contribution schedule: as the farms become commercially successful, a meaningful share of operating profit flows to the Foundation and to marine conservation.
The establishment of Seafarming Australia, our not-for-profit foundation, is now formally underway. Ashurst Lawyers are assisting with the full legal setup, including the Foundation's ACNC (Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission) charity registration and DGR endorsement.
Support Our Work
Bruny Island Seafarms is building a regenerative model of marine farming that works for the environment, the community and the people who do the work. Your support helps us prove it can be done — and helps us share the methodology so other coastal communities can build their own.
We are actively seeking partners, supporters and investors who share our values. There are several ways to get involved.
For full information, click here
Summary
There's still plenty happening behind the scenes. As always, we'll share more as things develop. Another update will follow next month.
If you'd like to stay connected, subscribe for updates using the link in the footer of the homepage. To get involved or find out more, use the Expressions of Interest form on the About Us page.
