A new variety of whitefish could quickly be making its way to Australian households, with the potential to generate over AUD 1 billion ($652m) for the nation's economy.

The pompano (Trachinotus anak), a fast-growing and highly nutritious species, has been identified by The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) as a promising candidate to diversify Australia's limited whitefish options and reduce the country's reliance on imports.

CSIRO has successfully completed breeding trials for the pompano, a fish endemic to northern Australia's tropical waters. 

With Australian demand for sustainably sourced whitefish on the rise, there is a significant opportunity to cultivate this species efficiently and on a large scale, helping to meet growing consumer preferences, said Polly Hilder, lead scientist at CSIRO.

"The pompano is robust, sociable, and grows quickly, making it perfect for farming in northern Australia's tropical climate," he said. "It also tastes great, offering a mild sweetness and a firm texture that makes it perfect for a wide range of dishes."

Introducing pompano to Australian aquaculture is seen as a step toward reducing the country's dependence on the approximately 100,000 metric tons of whitefish it imports each year. 

The goal is to establish a sustainable, Australian-based white-flesh fish industry that could generate more than 1,000 new jobs and reduce the country's reliance on fish imports.

"Through this innovative approach, we aim to create a new industry that not only meets the demand for seafood but also supports local economies and promotes environmental sustainability," Hilder added.

CSIRO's broader "National Protein Roadmap" also envisions that producing 50,000t of whitefish could significantly contribute to Australia's protein production future as part of the agency's efforts to address global protein demand sustainably.