Our History

Founded in 2001, MainStream Aquaculture has rapidly grown from concept, to proud industry leaders.

View our history of continued progress below:

Our History

2001
2001

Mainstream Aquaculture founded

Mainstream Aquaculture

2003
2003

Mainstream discovered a pristine ancient geothermal water source near melbourne

Mainstream discovered a pristine ancient geothermal water source near melbourne

2004
2004

Mainstream’s original facility was constructed and commissioned.

Mainstream’s original facility was constructed and commissioned.

2004

The first batch of Barramundi was sold into the domestic live fish market.

The first batch of Barramundi was sold into the domestic live fish market.

2005
2005

Mainstream began operating at full capacity growing three species being Barramundi, Murray Cod and Golden Perch.

Mainstream began operating at full capacity growing three species being Barramundi, Murray Cod and Golden Perch.

2006
2006

Output increased by 20% through plant efficiency improvements that increased engineered capacity and a decision to focus on Barramundi as a single food fish species.

Output increased by 20% through plant efficiency improvements that increased engineered capacity and a decision to focus on Barramundi as a single food fish species.

2006

Mainstream celebrated its 5-year anniversary with record sales volumes, pricing and production.

Mainstream celebrated its 5-year anniversary with record sales volumes, pricing and production.

2007
2007

A Townsville, Queensland, based hatchery was developed with the necessary infrastructure to produce over 5 million Barramundi fingerlings per year.

Barramundi fingerlings

2007

Mainstream quadrupled the size of its table fish operations to become the largest recirculating aquaculture enterprise in mainland Australia.

Barramundi in net

2008
2008

Mainstream executed its first sale into the domestic chilled distribution channel.

Barramundi on ice

2008

Mainstream Aquaculture won Wyndham City Business of the Year award in the agribusiness category.

Mainstream Aquaculture won Wyndham City Business of the Year award in the agribusiness category.

2009
2009

Mainstream started work on a strain of Golden Barramundi.

Mainstream started work on a strain of Golden Barramundi.

2010
2010

Mainstream commenced collaboration agreement on stock domestication and selective breeding with geneticists at James Cook University, Queensland.

Mainstream commenced collaboration agreement on stock domestication and selective breeding with geneticists at James Cook University, Queensland.

2011
2011

Mainstream marked its 10-year anniversary with record sales volumes, pricing and production.

Barramundi fish on ice

2011

The first trial of Smoked Barramundi products took place

The first trial of Smoked Barramundi products took place

2012
2012

Mainstream established a breeding population of Golden Barramundi

Mainstream established a breeding population of Golden Barramundi

2012

Mainstream commenced development of a Melbourne, Australia, based hatchery designed to produce in excess of 20 million commercial grade Barramundi fingerlings per year and to support the acceleration of its selective breeding program.

Mainstream commenced development of a Melbourne, Australia, based hatchery designed to produce in excess of 20 million commercial grade Barramundi fingerlings per year and to support the acceleration of its selective breeding program.

2013
2013

Mainstream secured Federal Government funding, announced by the Prime Minister of Australia, to support its business building strategy.

Mainstream secured Federal Government funding, announced by the Prime Minister of Australia, to support its business building strategy.

2013

Mainstream commissioned the world’s largest Barramundi hatchery

Mainstream commissioned the world’s largest Barramundi hatchery

2014
2014

Mainstream won Wyndham City Business of the Year award in the manufacturing category and secured the overall Business of the Year award.

Mainstream won Wyndham City Business of the Year award in the manufacturing category and secured the overall Business of the Year award.

2014

Mainstream successfully spawned Golden Barramundi.

Mainstream successfully spawned Golden Barramundi.

2014

Mainstream became the largest supplier of Barramundi fingerlings in the world.

Mainstream became the largest supplier of Barramundi fingerlings in the world.

2016
2016

Mainstream marked its 15-year anniversary with record sales volumes, pricing and production.

Mainstream marked its 15-year anniversary with record sales volumes, pricing and production.

2017
2017

Mainstream commissions the largest production facility of its type in the world

Mainstream commissions the largest production facility of its type in the world

2017

Mainstream produces its 100th batch of Barramundi fingerlings

Mainstream produces its 100th batch of Barramundi fingerlings

2018
2018

Mainstream merges with Pejo Enterprises, giving the business a pond farming platform in Far North Queensland.

Mainstream merges with Pejo Enterprises, giving the business a pond farming platform in Far North Queensland.

2018

Mainstream launched its Infinity Blue brand.

Mainstream launched its Infinity Blue brand.

2019
2019

Mainstream commences the export of table fish into the United States of America.

Mainstream commences the export of table fish into the United States of America.

2019

Mainstream wins the large seafood business of the year award at the National Seafood Industry Awards.

Mainstream wins the large seafood business of the year award at the National Seafood Industry Awards.

2020
2020

Mainstream launches direct to consumer business.

Mainstream launches direct to consumer business.

2021
2021

Mainstream partners with James Cook University on a project to accelerate the commercialisation of Golden Barramundi

Mainstream partners with James Cook University on a project to accelerate the commercialisation of Golden Barramundi

2021

Mainstream acquires the Port Douglas farm from Gold Coast Marine Aquaculture, adding the largest single site Barramundi farm in Australia to its portfolio

Mainstream acquires the Port Douglas farm from Gold Coast Marine Aquaculture, adding the largest single site Barramundi farm in Australia to its portfolio

2021

Mainstream adds solar panels to its predominantly renewable energy sourcing arrangements, further reducing its carbon footprint

Mainstream adds solar panels to its predominantly renewable energy sourcing arrangements, further reducing its carbon footprint

2022
2022

Provenance is included under the Infinity Blue brand to celebrate its different farm locations.

Provenance is included under the Infinity Blue brand to celebrate its different farm locations.

2022

Mainstream purchases 1,100-acre fish farm in Arizona, the United States of America, to grow Barramundi for the United States of America domestic market.

Mainstream purchases 1,100-acre fish farm in Arizona, the United States of America, to grow Barramundi for the United States of America domestic market.

2023
2023

MainStream completed its 200th batch of Barramundi spawning. This marks our second milestone from our previous 100th batch achieved in 2015 with a total production of more than 400 million fish larvae.

MainStream completed its 200th batch of Barramundi spawning. This marks our second milestone from our previous 100th batch achieved in 2015 with a total production of more than 400 million fish larvae.

2023

MainStream Launches Tray Pack product of its QLD saltwater barramundi at Coles stores nationally.

MainStream Launches Tray Pack product of its QLD saltwater barramundi at Coles stores nationally.

2024
2024

MainStream launches new Daintree brand, harvesting begins

MainStream launches new Daintree brand, harvesting begins