Blacklip Rock Oyster industry development

Project locations: Darwin, Groote Eylandt, South Goulburn Island, Wadeye, Tiwi Islands

Project partners: NT Government (Darwin Aquaculture Centre) ; Yagbani Aboriginal Corporation ; Groote Aqua Aboriginal Corporation ; Thamurrurr Development Corporation ; Mantiyupwi Aboriginal Corporation

Project summary and impacts

This project will continue to build on the foundational work undertaken by researchers at the Darwin Aquaculture Centre (DAC) as part of the initial Tropical Rock Oyster research and development project (A.2.1819053NT).

During the first phase of the CRCNA-funded project (2019-2023), significant progress was made, culminating in the development the world’s first hatchery manual for the Blacklip Rock Oyster (BRO). Over this period, hatchery production at DAC increased exponentially – from 10,000s to 100,000s spat per spawning run. This growth was driven  by improved hatchery techniques, enhanced through broodstock conditioning, settlement, and nursery trials conducted during the first project phase.

However, as production scaled up, new challenges emerged in the nursery phase, resulting in inconsistent spat yields. Further research is needed to optimise production and reduce variability between spawning runs.  This is critical to ensuring farms have consistent access to commercial quantities of advanced spat, which in turn builds industry confidence and encourages private investment.

The project will continue refining year-round supply of hatchery-reared spat (juvenile oyster), a fundamental requirement for commercialisation, investor confidence, and industry growth.

Extension and mentoring will also be provided to support oyster farmers and Indigenous communities, alongside farming trials across the Northern Territory.