Fremantle Seaweed Secures Waterfront Home at Fishing Boat Harbour
Fremantle Seaweed Secures Waterfront Home at Fishing Boat Harbour
Fremantle Seaweed is set to establish a new waterfront base after securing a site at Mews Road in the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth trajectory.
The company has been awarded a $4 million grant through the Western Australian Government's Investment Attraction Fund. The funding will support the development of WA's first commercial-scale seaweed hatchery, transforming the business from a small proof-of-concept operation into a multi-site commercial enterprise.
To date, the company's aquaculture operations have centred on Asparagopsis, a native red seaweed with compelling environmental credentials. CSIRO research has demonstrated that Asparagopsis can reduce methane emissions in cattle and other livestock by up to 80%, while also promoting marine biodiversity, removing excess nutrients from waterways, and reducing ocean acidification. The new facility will enable Fremantle Seaweed to expand into additional species and markets, including Caulerpa and kelp, alongside a significant uplift in production capacity.
The project is expected to generate 26 new full-time positions, delivering a meaningful boost to local employment and further strengthening Fremantle's growing blue economy. The Fishing Boat Harbour precinct, home to a large fishing fleet along with service jetties, wharves, and marine refuelling and maintenance facilities, provides an ideal operational base for the next phase of the company's expansion.
Investing in the Future of the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour
The announcement aligns with the State Government's long-term vision for the Fishing Boat Harbour, which seeks to strengthen connections across the precinct and maximise its potential as both a vibrant working harbour and a thriving retail and hospitality destination.
The future vision is one step closer. The harbour recently completed a $2.9 million public facilities upgrade, improving access and activating waterfront public spaces, a key step in better connecting the southern part of the precinct. Since 2023, the State Government has invested $16.2 million in harbour improvements, underscoring its ongoing investment in the area's future.
Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk on the vision:
"It is all part of our commitment to driving development across Fremantle's three major harbours over the coming decades to improve connectivity and vibrancy for the community."
