Petuna Aquaculture has been granted a permit to undertake environmental monitoring of off-shore areas in the far north west of the state, as part of preliminary planning work to consider the potential for salmon farming in the region.
Petuna Acting CEO David Wood said expansion into the north west would deliver a multi-million-dollar investment program to the Circular Head region.
“Potential future development in the north west would create significant new employment opportunities and provide economic stimulus, especially for the local community,” Mr Wood said.
Mr Wood said through extensive research and data analysis, Petuna had identified that the region was suitable for farming salmon and the next degree of work under the permit was designed to identify specific sites, which would take into consideration local stakeholder and community concerns.
“At the heart of Petuna’s consultative process is a commitment to best practice community engagement, which means going above and beyond what is necessary to meet statutory obligations,” he said.
“Petuna understands the importance of working to ensure any new development has a social licence to operate for the full life cycle of the project.
“Fundamental to achieving this, is developing trust and relationships based on mutual benefit, mutual respect and ongoing open and transparent engagement at the community level.”
Petuna Acting CEO David Wood
