Leeuwin Coast launches WA first oyster barge in Albany

A WA-first oyster barge was launched into Albany waters on Tuesday to provide a floating base for Harvest Road’s shellfish aquaculture operations in Oyster Harbour.

The purpose-built oyster barge made its way to Albany from Leeuwin Coast’s Garden Island farm by truck on Monday before it was lifted by crane into Princess Royal Harbour early on Tuesday and towed to Oyster Harbour.

The barge dubbed LC1 and built in Perth is the first aluminium vessel built on a carbon offset basis, meaning its construction was carbon neutral.

In April, Harvest Road’s seafood brand Leeuwin Coast became Australia’s first aquaculture brand to be carbon neutral certified by the Australian Government’s Climate Active initiative.

The barge will allow up to nine Leeuwin Coast staff to work out on the water with the aim of minimising the number of boats returning to the shore.

Leeuwin Coast aquaculture general manager Justin Welsh said four more commercial vessels were under construction to add to their Albany fleet.

“Having this vessel in Albany supporting Leeuwin Coast’s operations is an important part of our journey to create a sustainable, large scale shellfish industry that Albany can be proud of,” he said.

The new barge comes after Harvest Road secured an extended lease for its operations at Emu Point from the City of Albany council in October.