JCU welcomes ATMAC commitment

The $100M Centre will enhance collaborative research and industry innovation to generate jobs and economic growth for northern Australia, including significant export potential for aquaculture products and knowledge.

James Cook University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sandra Harding, said Labor’s announcement is terrific news for Townsville and northern Australia more broadly.

“Townsville is the obvious choice to be the epicentre of aquaculture in Australia. The city has the expertise in marine science as well as unparalleled links to industry and tourism organisations across the greater region.

“ATMAC will match JCU’s world-class expertise in aquaculture with outstanding, fit-for-purpose facilities to deliver ground-breaking outcomes in sustainable food production and marine resource management,” Professor Harding said.

The Australian Tropical Marine and Aquaculture Centre will house specialised aquaculture and quarantine facilities, as well as office accommodation for 20 researchers and more than 80 PhD students and visiting scholars.  

Professor Harding said the aquaculture industry had emphasised that it needs innovation if it is to unleash its full potential.

“ATMAC will deliver the innovation that the industry needs. The Centre will provide world-class facilities for scientists and industry to work together on high impact research that will allow the aquaculture sector to grow sustainably.

“Our industry partners are ready to take aquaculture to the next level, and this Centre will provide the research and industry collaboration to allow that to happen,” Professor Harding said.