There's been a massive amount of progress made in the past month. It's hard to know where to start.
Our involvement in the Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program is proving to be invaluable and generating momentum on so many levels. We are only half way through the program!
Pilot Farms Going In The Water
Probably the most important milestone in our project so far is happening. With the help of Toby Cannon, our first pilot seafarm is going in to the water at Birchs Bay before the end of them month. That's incredible news and and a massive leap forward for Bruny Island Seafarms. Further news is a second seafarm is on the drawing boards for Great Bay. Thanks to Joe Bennett for getting this off the ground.
BISF Raised In State Parliament
This question was raised in parliament on 16 April. It happened as a result of the publicity generated from our feature article published in The Mercury the previous week.
This is an indication that politicians from all the parties are becoming aware of the BISF project and the need to get behind it. The good news is that there is really no reason for any politician, whether Labour, Liberal, Green or Independant not getting behind our intiative.
Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRIES and WATER, Mr PEARCE regarding REGENERATIVE AQUACULTURE
A constituent has written to me about a story published this week in the Mercury outlining the efforts of the Bruny Island Seafarms company to commence a trial for a regenerative aquaculture model of farming. This type of farming has been internationally proven and is extremely promising. Ocean farming produces sustainable food and creates jobs in an industry that does not pollute the environment. In fact, ocean farming helps remove nitrogen from marine waterways.
Given the serious impacts on our marine environment as global warming continues to heat our oceans, she asks, will you support funding for a trial of this hopeful farming method in the upcoming Budget? And will you meet with the owner of Bruny Island Seafarms on Bruny to hear more about this business opportunity?
Discussions With Government Departments
We've had meetings with State Growth, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and AusIndustry recently that have all been very productive. Every department and person we meet is very supportive of the project and enthusiastic to see it move forward and succeed.
This is very gratifying knowing that there is such universal support for what we are trying to achieve,
Tasmanian Seaweed Working Group
This is a Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Tasmania, collaborative effort aimed at establishing, regulating, and developing a sustainable seaweed aquaculture industry in the state.
BISF have joined this working group with Ben Convery and Toby Cannon participating along with experts from industry, research experts, academics and government stakeholders all involved.
Being involved with this group opens up all sorts of opportunities to gain knowledge from experts, collaborate with other parties in the seaweed industry and be a part of the bigger picture to develop the seaweed industry in Tasmania.
Start Up Advisory Board
We are very fortunate to have some very capable and willing people who have agreed to join our advisory board. The breadth of knowledge and experience that bring to the table will be invaluable in ensuring our success going forward.
Board member profiles will be published on the site soon.
Summary
There's still more going on behind the scenes but that's a pretty good snapshot of progress being made. There will be another update next month.
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If you want more information or would like to get involved, use the Expressions of Interest form on this page - About Us
