MOORAK farmer Daryl Prunnell has a vision to build a world-class rock lobster and Atlantic salmon fish farm on his property on the outskirts of Port MacDonnell – a multi-million dollar project that could create hundreds of local jobs and boost the region’s economy.
The $7.95m purpose-built aquaculture facility would incorporate a community space for education, a licensed restaurant and bar overlooking Woolwash Beach and accommodation to attract interstate and international visitors.
His dream could soon become a reality on the heels of his silver eNVIe award win at this week’s New Venture Institute (NVI) awards, where his inspired Fish4Life concept earned him $6000 and a trip to innovation centres in the USA next March to meet hundreds of potential investors.
Mr Prunnell – who currently breeds lambs and Angus cattle on 120 acres at Moorak – purchased seven hectares of land at Port MacDonnell four years ago.
While he grew up in Mount Gambier and returned to the region in 2012, Mr Prunnell lived in Darwin for over a decade and it was there he was inspired to enter the aquaculture field.
“I have always been a keen fisherman and when I was living in Darwin I saw how the charter industry depleted fish stocks and that piqued my interest in aquaculture,” he told The Border Watch yesterday.
“I could see that we need to create areas where people can fish in a sustainable way.
“In the last 40 years the global population has grown by four billion people and in the same time the world’s fish stocks have diminished by 50pc.
“I want to build a facility which will breed, hatch and grow rock lobster and Atlantic salmon in a space that will be open to the community and to educators to promote best practice in intensive farming.”
The aspiring entrepreneur said he expected Fish4Life would create 79 jobs during construction and 68 ongoing full-time positions.
“It will value add $34m per year to the Limestone Coast,” Mr Prunnell said.
“Professional fishermen and the local fish industry may perceive we are entering their market, but it is actually quite the contrary.
“Their market is wild-caught product whereas our product will be farm raised and mass produced.
“The University of Tasmania has just perfected the science in farming rock lobsters and I will replicate that here.
“A similar facility in Western Australia was built in a township of 500 people and averages three coaches of tourists per day.
“I’m confident we can achieve similar success and if we attract those interstate and international visitors that will be great for the entire region.”
Mr Prunnell said on-site training facilities would also bridge a gap in the local fishing industry.
“Currently there is no educational facility in the South East to train people to work in the fishing industry,” he said.
“We need a facility where we can attract educators to conduct courses like skipper tickets and deck hand training.
“At the moment people travel to Portland to gain their qualifications and to study aquaculture you need to travel to Adelaide.”
With a predicted revenue of over $9m per year, Mr Prunnell said he anticipated the business would return to surplus in under five years.
“After touring our facility, visitors will be able to sample local food and wine at our licensed restaurant and stay overnight in accommodation over a purpose-built pond where they can catch their own fish and have our chefs cook it for them.
“We live in the world’s best food bowl – we have the best wine, meat and seafood – we just need to promote ourselves better.
“The trip to the US next year will be a fantastic way to meet potential investors and I hope I can attract people to come on board with me.”
