Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister, Rory McEwen today congratulated the SA participants in the national CRC - the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Flinders University and the University of Adelaide.
The institutions are among those who led the bid to establish the CRC, which involves more than 40 participants across Australia, including research providers and seafood industry partners.
"The Australian Seafood CRC's work over the next seven years will strengthen efforts already underway in SA to support the State Seafood Plan which aims to more than double the value of the SA seafood industry to $2 billion per annum by 2015," Mr McEwen said
"The announcement of the CRC follows last week's Public Works approval for a $6.6 million expansion of the Lincoln Marine Science Centre at Port Lincoln.
"The expansion will be a key factor in promoting our state as a world class centre for marine science, education and industry development through the Marine Innovation SA (MISA) initiative, which will also play a major role in future development of the national seafood industry," Mr McEwen said.
"The CRC participants have committed $100 million to support the new centre in its aim to improve profitability and industry growth within the seafood sector.
"This includes a projected cash contribution of more than $18 million from South Australia's participants, including more than $6 million from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation," Mr McEwen said.
"In addition these SA participants will contribute well over $20 million in-kind through staff and facilities, including a state government contribution of about $7 million. The federal government is contributing $37 million.
MISA chair and SARDI Executive Director, Dr Rob Lewis said the CRC aimed to provide substantial growth for the Australian seafood industry through comprehensive research and development and industry leadership spanning the entire value chain from production to consumer.
"A prime driver for our work will be responding to consumer demands, understanding the national and international markets, and helping industry deliver safe, high-quality seafood to the premium markets, as well as developing seafood products.
