Australian Government’s role in the seaweed industry
Lleidan Hunter, Senior Policy Offer, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF), Australia
About the speaker:
Lleidan is a proud Warrwa/Nyikana man with ties across northwestern Australia, and currently residing in Canberra (Ngunnawal Country). He studied Aquaculture at the University of Tasmania, and gained hands-on experience in land-based abalone farming. In 2021, he joined the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as a graduate, and now works as a Senior Policy Officer in the Fisheries branch.
In his role with the National Aquaculture Policy Section, Lleidan focuses on:
- delivering the Australian Government’s ‘Developing Australia’s Seaweed Farming’ grant program
- shaping policies for aquaculture expansion into Commonwealth waters
- supporting the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre’s aquaculture research trial
- coordinating the review of the 2017 National Aquaculture Strategy
- providing strategic and technical advice on aquaculture policy and initiatives.
Organisation:
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) leads the Australian Government’s efforts to support, protect and grow the country’s food and fibre production industries.
Our policies and services span and protect the entire supply chain, helping to grow Australia’s economy and enable the Australian agricultural sector to produce high-quality, more sustainable products for consumption within Australia and overseas.
We are a national regulator with portfolio responsibilities that include biosecurity and trade. We work in partnership with all levels of government and with local communities. We have scientific and technical expertise, connections with domestic and international stakeholders and important partnerships across the private sector, from small agricultural businesses to multinational enterprises.
Within DAFF, the National Aquaculture Policy section promotes the sustainable growth of the Australian aquaculture sector. We develop and implement key policies and legislation, drive innovation, and enhance industry efficiency through the delivery of grants and programs. Our section also engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, providing valuable policy advice to support a resilient and thriving aquaculture industry.
Presentation:
In this presentation, Lleidan Hunter and Dr. Naidu Bodapati cover the Australian Government’s role in supporting and developing Australia’s seaweed industry. They'll highlight key policies, initiatives and funding programs that promote sustainable seaweed farming and drive research and innovation. They’ll also discuss import and export regulations that support and manage the growth of the seaweed industry.