Jobs and employment opportunities are always an issue in any rural community. On Bruny, hospitality and tourism are the biggest employers. I would like to start some community discussion about creating a new source of sustainable employment on Bruny that has the potential to be a major employer.
It's called Ocean Farming, a form of aquaculture that is an environmentally friendly and sustainable method of growing food. A method that is very well established with a global footprint, has a 10 year track record of success, is relatively simple to establish and doesn't require massive amounts of capital to setup. Its ideally suited to the Channel waters off Bruny. If all that sounds a bit too good to be true, please read on.....
Ocean Farming involves the growing of shellfish – mussels, scallops and oysters plus kelp for harvesting. Kelp has many, many uses, more than you can imagine. The farms are completely self-sufficient and 100% sustainable. No inputs such as fertiliser, chemicals or feeds are required. They are barely visible with all activity happening below the surface, act as artificial reefs, attracting fish and other wildlife. Perhaps best of all, the shellfish act as a natural water filtration system. Even just one Ocean Farm in the channel would be cleaning our precious waterway, not polluting it. Finally, an Ocean Farm also can also rebuild and restore a damaged marine ecosystem, turning an ocean desert into a place teeming with sea life.
Every Bruny Islander owes it to themselves, their children and their neighbours to watch at least the first of these videos. The website links provide practical information, how it works and comprehensive guides to establishing an Ocean Farm.
Video 1: https://youtu.be/VjFPdTnclUA?si=nTSSANG2cBWlJuV3
Video 2: https://youtu.be/93nk2xIRcbk?si=QD_rGOi9sHOlGvsk
Website: www.greenwave.org and www.greenwave.org/hub (also recommended)
So I'll assume you have watched the video and take this a bit further.
Envisage the Bruny community creating a co-op to raise funds to establish and then operate a GreenWave aquaculture farm. There are grants available from both the government and private sectors that would be available to assist in getting established.
A feasibility study to establish the pilot sea farm's viability and business plan with full financial reports is well advanced. The project is not going to happen if it's not profitable. The good news the model is being used by hundreds of sea farms around the world with great success. If it's a goer, it will create jobs here on Bruny and become a demonstration site for further farms in the Channel. With time, the flow on effect is more job opportunities on the water and land, similar to the existing salmon industry such as marine services, transport, hatchery operations, distribution, retail, tourism sales and marketing......
Now calling a spade a spade, there's no doubt there are two camps out there when it comes to the salmon industry. You are either for or against it. There doesn't seem to be any grey in between or compromise offered. Thankfully, what is being proposed for a Bruny Island Ocean Farm is neither for or against salmon farming. This concept adopts a neutral position and in some ways, compliments it. More on that later. All the while supporting more jobs and long term employment on Bruny, the Channel area and beyond. Ultimately the establishment of commercially viable and successful ocean farms on Bruny Island could become the template or model for others farms to be established all over Tasmania.
Coming up will be information sessions on both North and South Bruny. They will be used to provide more information, gather suggestions and gauge the level of support and public interest in the project. Keep an eye out for location and dates.
Remember, from little things, big things grow. Just like the salmon industry started here a few decades ago......
Jonathan Ross
Alonnah
Bruny Island