Mid West Aquaculture Zone

The Department of Fisheries, on behalf of the Minister for Fisheries proposes to create an ‘Aquaculture Development Zone’ to provide a management precinct for prospective future aquaculture proposals within State Waters, approximately 75 kilometres west of Geraldton within the Fish Habitat Protection Area of the Abrolhos Islands.

The strategic proposal area has been selected by the proponent to maximise suitability for marine finfish aquaculture, and minimise potential impacts on existing marine communities and disruption to existing human use. The strategic proposal, also known as the Mid West Aquaculture Development Zone (MWADZ), is proposed to encompass an area of 3,000 hectares (ha) within the identified 5,200 ha study site. The study site comprises two areas: a 4400 ha area located in Middle Channel, between the Easter Group and Wallabi Group; and a 800 ha study area located in Zeewijk Channel, between Pelsaert Group and Easter Group of the Abrolhos Islands.