Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve Locations

Port Phillip Bay and Western Port present one of the best marine aquaculture opportunities in Australia - offering some of the largest and cleanest waters located close to markets, labour and established infrastructure. For 20 years, Port Phillip Bay has been the heart of Victoria's marine aquaculture industry - cultivating mostly blue mussels. Victorian blue mussels are renowned for their tender flesh and delicious flavour. In 2004-2005 Victorian mussel farmers produced approximately 1,200 tonnes of mussels, valued at over $2.8 million, and produce the largest tonnage of mussel in Australia. Most mussels are harvested for human consumption and sold live on the domestic market. Western Port, where the Flinders Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve is located, has been utilised for shellfish aquaculture for a number of years, and offers similar attributes as Port Phillip Bay. 1. Pinnace Channel Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve (1000 ha) is comprised of two 500 ha blocks located either side of the Pinnace Channel where it flows northwards from the Great Sands area. 2. Clifton Springs Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve (318 ha) is located about 1.0 km offshore from Clifton Springs (Bellarine Peninsula). 3. Grassy Point Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve (252 ha) is located about 0.6 km offshore from Portarlington (Bellarine Peninsula). 4. Kirk Point - Werribee Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve (200 ha) is located about 5 km offshore from the point at which the Little River enters Port Phillip Bay. 5. Bates Point Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve (25 ha)is located about 0.7 km offshore from Point Lillias.

Aquaculture Fisheries Reserves in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port

6.	Mount Martha Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve (150 ha) is located about 0.75 km offshore from Fossil Beach (Mornington Peninsula).
7.	Beaumaris Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve (25 ha) is located in Beaumaris Bay about 0.64 km offshore from Table Rock Point.
8.	Dromana Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve (20 ha) is located about 0.78 km offshore from Martha Point (Mornington Peninsula).
9.	Flinders Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve (440 ha) is located in Flinders Bight about 0.3 km offshore from the township of Flinders (Mornington Peninsula).

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