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| Image from Port Stephens Examiner |
Port Stephens Barramundi Farmer, Nick Arena has been named the 2016 NSW Farmer of the Year.
Mr Arena is the managing director of Tailor Made Fish Farms, which is the states largest producer of barramundi, generating 1000 kilograms of fish per week.
"Being tropical fish, farming them this far south has always been a difficult task. We've been able to achieve this through innovation that uses solar energy to heat the tanks," he said.
The award acknowledges the efforts of Mr Arena's sustainable farm practices and consumer education.
"From day one have tried to do this in a responsible and caring way in regards to the environment and actually use the waste water to grow hydroponic vegetables," Mr Arena said.
Mr Arena has taken this one step further and opened an onsite restaurant aptly called Cook-a-Barra for people to experience the produce from the farm and to educate them about farming and where food comes from.
Mr Arena says the restaurant is necessary to compete with the big players in the industry, as 70% of Australia's barramundi is imported.
Mr Arena believes the award presented by the NSW Department of Primary Industries will have a flow-on effect for other Hunter businesses.
"It's a great recognition for the Hunter and already attracting interest. Hopefully that translates to additonal business for all the tourist operators and businesses within the Hunter," he said.
Mr Arena says he is honored to have won and hopes it will help people understand the importance of local industries.
