Success in the third trial of a tropical oyster breeding program at Darwin Aquaculture Centre has 12,000 oysters ready to be exported to remote communities. Warruwi and Pirlangimpi with each receive 4000 oysters, with the remaining oysters to remain at the centre for future breeding programs.

Primary Industry and Resources Minister Ken Vowles said the program would provide work to the communities. “We want to see this expand, we want to see local jobs, local people in communities supplying local produce,” he said. DAC research scientists Samantha Nowland said development and research meant the oysters were now four months old. “That’s a significant increase in production in hatcheries.”