From its vibrant coral reefs to its vast commercial shipping lanes, Australia's marine industry is not just a picturesque backdrop but a powerful economic engine, directly and indirectly contributing tens of billions to the national GDP and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across a diverse range of sectors.
Key Takeaways
- The Australian marine industry contributed AUD 11.2 billion to the national GDP in 2021-22 through direct and indirect economic activities
- Commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors alone added AUD 5.4 billion to Australia's GDP in 2020-21, representing 0.2% of total GDP
- Recreational boating and marine tourism generated AUD 12.5 billion in economic value in 2019, supporting over 100,000 jobs indirectly
- The Australian marine industry employed 270,000 people directly and indirectly in 2022
- Commercial fishing employed 12,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021-22
- Aquaculture sector provided 8,500 direct jobs in 2022, primarily in Tasmania and South Australia
- Commercial fishing vessels numbered 3,800 active in 2021-22 with total tonnage of 250,000 GT
- Aquaculture production reached 248,000 tonnes in 2021-22, led by Atlantic salmon at 45,000 tonnes
- Wild-catch fisheries landed 212,000 tonnes valued at AUD 2.9 billion in 2021-22
- The value of Australian seafood exports reached AUD 6.8 billion in 2022-23
- Rock lobster exports totalled AUD 1.2 billion to China in 2022
- Prawn exports valued at AUD 1.5 billion, with 80% to Asia in 2022-23
- Australian Marine Industry discards only 1.5% of total catch by weight in 2021-22
- 95% of Australian fisheries are sustainably managed under international standards in 2023
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protects 344,400 km² with zero-trawl zones covering 46%
Australia's marine industry significantly boosts the economy and creates many jobs.
Economic Contribution
- The Australian marine industry contributed AUD 11.2 billion to the national GDP in 2021-22 through direct and indirect economic activities
- Commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors alone added AUD 5.4 billion to Australia's GDP in 2020-21, representing 0.2% of total GDP
- Recreational boating and marine tourism generated AUD 12.5 billion in economic value in 2019, supporting over 100,000 jobs indirectly
- Boat manufacturing and repair contributed AUD 2.8 billion to GDP in 2022, with exports valued at AUD 450 million
- The shipping industry handled 1.7 billion tonnes of cargo in 2022, contributing AUD 25 billion to the economy via trade facilitation
- Aquaculture production value reached AUD 1.9 billion in 2021-22, driven by salmon and prawn farming
- Marine services including yacht chartering added AUD 1.2 billion in revenue in 2023
- Total marine industry exports were valued at AUD 6.8 billion in 2022-23, focusing on seafood and vessels
- Offshore oil and gas support vessels contributed AUD 4.5 billion indirectly through supply chains in 2021
- Marine engineering and equipment manufacturing generated AUD 3.1 billion in sales in 2022
- The wild-catch fisheries sector produced AUD 2.9 billion in gross value of production in 2021-22
- Marine tourism, including whale watching, contributed AUD 1.1 billion annually pre-COVID
- Port operations and logistics added AUD 15.3 billion to GDP in 2022 via container handling
- Superyacht sector revenue reached AUD 850 million in 2023 from berthing and services
- Fisheries research and development invested AUD 45 million, yielding AUD 450 million in benefits
- Marine insurance premiums totalled AUD 2.2 billion in 2022 for vessels and cargo
- Seafood processing industry turnover was AUD 4.1 billion in 2021-22
- Naval shipbuilding under SEA 1000 program valued at AUD 50 billion over decade to 2030
- Recreational fishing expenditure totalled AUD 4.9 billion in 2021
- Marine biotechnology R&D contributed AUD 300 million in 2022 economic output
- The Australian fishing fleet generated AUD 3.7 billion in export earnings in 2022
- Cruise shipping industry pre-COVID contributed AUD 5.2 billion annually to economy
- Marine renewables like wave energy pilots valued at AUD 150 million in investments by 2023
- Boat retail sales revenue hit AUD 2.4 billion in 2022-23
- Offshore wind farm support services projected AUD 10 billion by 2030
- Seafood wholesale market turnover AUD 6.5 billion in 2022
- Marine salvage operations recovered AUD 500 million in assets annually
- Diving and underwater services industry valued at AUD 1.8 billion in 2021
- Marine fuel supply chain contributed AUD 8.9 billion in 2022 logistics
- Yacht clubs and marinas generated AUD 1.5 billion in membership and fees in 2023
Economic Contribution Interpretation
Australia's marine industry is not just riding the waves but building them, adding over $11 billion to our GDP and proving that from the humble fishing boat to multi-billion dollar naval projects, our blue economy is a serious and deeply integrated powerhouse.
Employment Statistics
- The Australian marine industry employed 270,000 people directly and indirectly in 2022
- Commercial fishing employed 12,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021-22
- Aquaculture sector provided 8,500 direct jobs in 2022, primarily in Tasmania and South Australia
- Recreational boating supported 57,000 jobs in manufacturing, retail, and services in 2019
- Boat building and repair industry employed 25,000 workers across 2,500 businesses in 2022
- Shipping and port operations employed 45,000 people in 2022, including stevedores and logistics
- Seafood processing plants employed 20,000 workers seasonally in 2021-22
- Marine tourism created 35,000 jobs in coastal regions pre-2020
- Offshore support vessels employed 15,000 seafarers and onshore staff in 2021
- Naval shipbuilding programs employed 20,000 in Adelaide and Osborne by 2023
- Recreational fishing supported 80,000 participants with indirect jobs in tackle and charters
- Marine engineering firms employed 18,000 skilled tradespeople in 2022
- Cruise industry employed 10,000 onshore workers pre-COVID in ports and tours
- Superyacht crew and services employed 5,000 specialized workers in 2023
- Fisheries R&D supported 2,500 researchers and technicians via FRDC funding
- Marine insurance sector employed 4,200 staff in underwriting and claims in 2022
- Diving industry provided 3,000 jobs for commercial divers certified by 2021
- Port authority staff totalled 12,000 across major Australian ports in 2022
- Boat retail outlets employed 15,000 sales and service staff in 2022-23
- Marine renewables projects employed 1,200 in pilot stages by 2023
- Seafood wholesalers and distributors employed 7,500 logistics workers
- Yacht marinas employed 8,000 in maintenance and hospitality roles in 2023
- Wild-catch fisheries had 9,200 fishers licensed in 2021-22 across states
- Marine biotech firms employed 1,100 scientists in 2022
- Offshore wind support services projected 25,000 jobs by 2030
- Marine fuel bunkering employed 2,800 specialized handlers in 2022
Employment Statistics Interpretation
While the commercial fishing boats, superyacht crews, and naval shipbuilders might seem like strange dockmates, together they form a 270,000-strong workforce proving that Australia's economy doesn't just have its toes in the water, it's fully submerged.
Production and Output
- Commercial fishing vessels numbered 3,800 active in 2021-22 with total tonnage of 250,000 GT
- Aquaculture production reached 248,000 tonnes in 2021-22, led by Atlantic salmon at 45,000 tonnes
- Wild-catch fisheries landed 212,000 tonnes valued at AUD 2.9 billion in 2021-22
- Prawn fisheries produced 22,000 tonnes annually from northern prawn trawl fleet
- Rock lobster catch totalled 6,500 tonnes in 2022 from Western Australia and SA
- Tuna longline fishery harvested 5,200 tonnes of southern bluefin tuna in 2021
- Abalone production was 550 tonnes valued at AUD 150 million in 2022
- Pearl oyster farming produced 1.2 million half-pearls in WA in 2022
- Recreational boat registrations exceeded 900,000 vessels in 2022 across states
- Boat manufacturing output included 4,200 new vessels built in 2022
- Container throughput at Australian ports reached 3.2 million TEU in 2022
- Dry bulk cargo handled 1.2 billion tonnes in 2022, mainly iron ore and coal
- Seafood processing output processed 150,000 tonnes of product in 2021-22
- Salmonid aquaculture farms produced 30,000 tonnes of ocean-grown salmon in Tasmania 2022
- Shark fin quota set at 200 tonnes for gillnet fishery in 2022
- Scallop dredging yielded 8,000 tonnes from Bass Strait in 2021
- Edible oyster production totalled 12,000 tonnes from Qld and NSW farms
- Marine diesel fuel consumption by vessels was 2.1 billion litres in 2022
- Naval vessel construction included 3 Hunter-class frigates under production in 2023
- Recreational fishing catch estimated at 750,000 tonnes annually nationwide
- Boat repair yards serviced 150,000 vessels annually with 500,000 labour hours
- Liquid bulk cargo imports totalled 120 million tonnes of petroleum products in 2022
- Barramundi farmed production reached 5,000 tonnes in 2022 from NT and Qld
- Crab pot fishery landed 4,200 tonnes of blue swimmer crab in SA 2022
- Seaweed aquaculture pilots produced 500 tonnes dry weight in 2023 trials
- Offshore gas production platforms output 65 million barrels oil equivalent daily
- Tuna ranching processed 20,000 tonnes in Port Lincoln 2022
- Marine paint and coatings production for vessels totalled 50,000 tonnes annually
- Ferry services carried 50 million passengers on 12,000 vessels in 2022
- Wild-catch finfish harvest was 45,000 tonnes excluding tuna in 2021-22
Production and Output Interpretation
Australia's marine industry balances feeding the nation with impressive scale—from thousands of fishing vessels and billions in wild-catch value to booming salmon farms—while its ports and shipyards fuel the wider economy, proving the entire sector is awash with both seafood and economic significance.
Sustainability and Environment
- Australian Marine Industry discards only 1.5% of total catch by weight in 2021-22
- 95% of Australian fisheries are sustainably managed under international standards in 2023
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protects 344,400 km² with zero-trawl zones covering 46%
- Aquaculture farms reduced antibiotic use by 70% since 2015 through better practices
- Marine protected areas cover 3.2 million km² or 26% of Australia's ocean jurisdiction
- Bycatch reduction devices in prawn trawls cut turtle captures by 90% since 2000
- Rock lobster stocks rated sustainable with biomass at 45% of unfished levels in 2022
- Tuna fishery achieved MSC certification with 100% observer coverage on longliners
- Abalone harvest reduced by 20% voluntarily to protect stocks in SA 2022
- Pearl oyster farming restocked wild populations with 500,000 spat in 2022
- Port vessel emissions reduced 15% via shore power trials in Sydney 2023
- Recreational fishing release rates over 80% for key species like snapper
- Offshore decommissioning removed 50 structures with zero spills in 2022
- Marine debris removal programs cleared 1.2 million kg from beaches in 2022
- Salmon farms achieved 99% survival without chemicals in Tasmania RAS systems
- Shark gillnet fishery reduced set times to 2 hours cutting bycatch by 40%
- Scallop fishery rotational closures protected 30% of beds in 2022
- Oyster reefs restored 100 hectares using shell bags in NSW 2022
- Biofouling management on hulls prevented 500 invasive species introductions yearly
- Whale watching guidelines minimized disturbance to 35,000 humpbacks migrating annually
- Marine renewables avoided 200,000 tonnes CO2 via wave pilots in 2023
- Fisheries observers covered 100% of tuna sets monitoring compliance
- Coral transplantation programs relocated 50,000 fragments in GBR 2022
- Vessel speed restrictions in sanctuaries reduced strikes on dolphins by 50%
- Aquaculture escapees minimized to 0.01% via double-netting standards
Sustainability and Environment Interpretation
Australia's marine industry seems to have collectively decided that the best way to keep fishing is to stop fishing quite so much, protecting everything from turtles to tuna with a mix of smart gadgets, strict rules, and a refreshing dose of common sense.
Trade and Exports
- The value of Australian seafood exports reached AUD 6.8 billion in 2022-23
- Rock lobster exports totalled AUD 1.2 billion to China in 2022
- Prawn exports valued at AUD 1.5 billion, with 80% to Asia in 2022-23
- Salmon and trout exports hit AUD 400 million mainly to US and Japan 2022
- Boat exports numbered 1,200 units valued at AUD 450 million in 2022
- Tuna exports reached AUD 500 million with 70% to Japan in 2021
- Abalone exports were AUD 200 million to Hong Kong and China 2022
- Pearl exports from WA totalled AUD 250 million in jewellery form 2022
- Container exports via sea freight totalled 1.5 million TEU in 2022
- Iron ore seaborne exports were 900 million tonnes valued at AUD 150 billion 2022
- LNG exports reached 81 million tonnes to Asia in 2022
- Cruise passenger arrivals pre-COVID averaged 1.2 million annually
- Marine equipment exports like winches valued AUD 300 million to EU 2022
- Scallop exports hit AUD 100 million to Japan and Singapore 2021
- Oyster exports totalled 2,500 tonnes valued AUD 50 million to Asia 2022
- Yacht exports included 50 superyachts valued AUD 200 million in 2023
- Crab exports from SA reached AUD 80 million in 2022
- Offshore oil rig leasing exports generated AUD 1.1 billion 2021
- Seafood re-exports through ports totalled AUD 2.5 billion 2022-23
- Marine biotech products exported AUD 50 million in algae extracts 2022
- Ferry vessel imports for domestic trade numbered 20 units in 2022
- Diving equipment exports valued AUD 40 million to Pacific islands 2022
- Fuel bunkering services exported to foreign vessels AUD 3.2 billion 2022
- Naval export opportunities projected AUD 5 billion for Collins-class upgrades
- Recreational boat parts exports AUD 150 million to NZ and Asia 2023
- Shark products exports limited to 100 tonnes fins under quota 2022
- Seaweed export pilots AUD 10 million to cosmetics industry 2023
- Refined petroleum products seaborne imports 45 million tonnes 2022
Trade and Exports Interpretation
Australia's marine industry is a remarkably diverse economic engine, proving that while iron ore pays the bills, it's the lobster, prawns, and pearls—along with everything from superyachts to algae extracts—that add the sophisticated flavour to our export ledger.
Sources & References
- Reference 1MARINEINDUSTRIESmarineindustries.org.auVisit source
- Reference 2AGRICULTUREagriculture.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 3BIAbia.org.auVisit source
- Reference 4IBISWORLDibisworld.comVisit source
- Reference 5BITREbitre.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 6AUSTRADEaustrade.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 7DFATdfat.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 8APPEAappea.com.auVisit source
- Reference 9INDUSTRYindustry.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 10PARKSAUSTRALIAparksaustralia.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 11SUPERYACHTTIMESsuperyachttimes.comVisit source
- Reference 12FRDCfrdc.com.auVisit source
- Reference 13APRAapra.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 14SEAFOODINDUSTRYAUSTRALIAseafoodindustryaustralia.com.auVisit source
- Reference 15DEFENCEdefence.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 16DPIdpi.nsw.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 17CSIROcsiro.auVisit source
- Reference 18CRUISEAUSTRALIAcruiseaustralia.com.auVisit source
- Reference 19ARENAarena.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 20CLEANENERGYCOUNCILcleanenergycouncil.org.auVisit source
- Reference 21SFABUSINESSsfabusiness.com.auVisit source
- Reference 22AMSAamsa.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 23AUVACauvac.org.auVisit source
- Reference 24BOATINGINDUSTRYboatingindustry.com.auVisit source
- Reference 25AFMAafma.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 26FISHfish.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 27HUONhuon.com.auVisit source
- Reference 28DPIdpi.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 29PORTSAUSTRALIAportsaustralia.com.auVisit source
- Reference 30PIRpir.sa.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 31SEAFOODSOURCEseafoodsource.comVisit source
- Reference 32INTERNATIONAL-PAINTinternational-paint.comVisit source
- Reference 33GBRMPAgbrmpa.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 34PORTAUTHORITYNSWportauthoritynsw.com.auVisit source
- Reference 35DAFFdaff.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 36ENVIRONMENTenvironment.gov.auVisit source