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Humpty Doo Barramundi is investing a further $48.4M in aquaculture infrastructure in the Northern Territory with a new loan through the North Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), matched by loan funds from the ANZ bank. The Minister for Northern Australia the Hon Keith Pitts MLA announced the approval today. “This loan will take us further down the path of making Australia self-sufficient in saltwater Barramundi production, plus secure our supply of Barramundi through a purpose built Barramundi hatchery,” says Dan Richards, CEO of Humpty Doo Barramundi. “National Barramundi Day is the perfect day to announce this huge boost to Australian Barramundi aquaculture. “As Australia’s iconic fish, demand for quality, Australian saltwater Barramundi is growing. We aim to meet that demand through improving our facilities to provide the best growing conditions, leading to a healthy, great-tasting fish.” In his announcement, the Minister for Northern Australia said “The NAIF loan, alongside private bank co-funding, will support the construction of a purpose built hatchery for saltwater barramundi that will provide a significant boost to the Northern Territory’s aquaculture industry and generate economic activity in the Territory as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. “The new funding will support around 110 jobs during construction, and a further 160 jobs when the new hatchery is up and running. NAIF support will ensure Australian-farmed barramundi will be available in restaurants at home, and around the world,” Minister Pitt said. Humpty Doo Barramundi received a NAIF loan for $7M in 2018, which was also matched by ANZ bank. The result of that loan saw the business successfully deliver increased capacity for Barramundi aquaculture at their farm and increased employment, as well as a high-tech nursery facility, introducing a higher level of care for baby Barramundi before they enter the grow out ponds. Humpty Doo Barramundi is a 100% family owned and operated farm. Over the past 27 years the family have built the farm to become Australia’s largest producer of premium quality saltwater Barramundi. This has been achieved through the multi award winning sustainable saltwater wetland system which cleans and circulates the water back through the farm to be reused again and again. Minister Pitt’s media release can be found here .