Overview of the Association

The NSW Aquaculture Association is a Peak Industry Body that represents land based aquaculturalists. It is NSW's largest aquaculture association and represents members interested in aquaculture regardless of the species they may grow, the region they may grow them in, or even if they are not growers but just interested. Members include, aquaculture farmers, researchers, teachers, equipment suppliers, hobbyist, recreational fishermen, ornamental growers, aquaponic farmers and just those with an interest or thinking of getting into farming. It’s a diverse group but all have a passion for fish, yabbies and water. Membership is available to all and many members are from other states.

The NSWAA believes that the issues facing one person growing one species in one area are much the same as those affecting us all. By us all acting together we can have a say in our future. The Association aims to bring us all together to work towards a common goal.

See below for all the Objectives of the Association.

NSW AA is the oldest aquaculture association in NSW, evolving from the Eastern Region Aquaculture Association (formed 1994), and incorporating the Australian Freshwater Crayfish Growers Association Inc of NSW (formed in the early 1980s).

The role of the NSW aquaculture Association Inc is to act as a conduit between the members and Government. If you have a request or concern let us know and we will act on your behalf. Another of the main aims of the association is to keep you informed. Dissemination of information is a key role and we are based around the internet with email contact as the main form or communication. We have a quarterly Newsletter that goes to members by email. The NSW Aquaculture Association aims to use technology to maximise communication to its members, and minimise costs of membership. Unfortunately, it is all email based so those of you without ready access to the world wide web will be disadvantaged and unable to interact with the association.

All are welcome so if you have an interest them help us all by joining and work with us for the betterment of Aquaculture in NSW. Join Now

Objectives of NSW Aquaculture Association

1. Assist and promote the interests of aquaculturalists throughout Australia and especially those in NSW.
2. Facilitate the dissemination of information between aquaculturalists and to keep them abreast of the latest developments in research and production techniques, etc.
3. Promote industry research and development priorities in areas critical to production, survival, purging and packaging, etc.
4. Liaise with government authorities to ensure a representative of the NSW Aquaculture Association is a member of every board, committee and advisory council to represent Association members' interests and seek government assistance where required.
5. Represent the commercial interests of aquaculturalists and present a united front to voice concerns to government authorities where required.
6. To represent the interests of member aquaculturalists first and foremost. We are not a government policy enforcement agent. We will not volunteer information on activities of any member to any government department.
7. Promote the development of an environmentally responsible, sustainable and commercially viable aquaculture industry in NSW.
8. Act on members behalf to intervene with government agencies to assist with their personal endeavours.
9. Assist members with their needs for information - if we cannot answer their queries, direct them to where answers can be found.

These are the original objectives that the 150 founding members formulated to represent their ideas of what the association should be doing for them and as an association to represent them. Though over the years the members have changed with some leaving the industry and others entering we as an association have adhered to our original charter and the objectives remain the same. The association is there to help members with their individual endeavours, we work with government but will not volunteer any information about our members. We all work together towards the betterment of the industry as a whole so we will work with members to overcome any problems together. This industry is a small one, with everyone knowing large numbers of others in the industry, what one individual does can have huge ramifications for all of us, we all need to work together and with the regulatory bodies to ensure the industry prospers into the future and the NSW AA offers the platform for this to occur.

One of the greatest challenges that NSW offers is the tyranny of distance, NSW is a huge state with members spread across this vast area. Communication is a priority of the NSW AA and regular Newsletters and the internet is our method of disseminating information. This is our main communication method and allows us to contact all our members at the push of a button. Newsletters keep all members informed of what's happening in the papers, magazines and TV across the state, what's happening to other members, what's happening with government and generally just what's happening. Newsletters only go to members so if you want to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry and see what’s happening around you then Join Now

Robert B McCormack
President 2008