The Kimberley region is located in tropical Northwest Australia and, with an area of 421,451km2, is 1/6 the size of Western Australia.

There are 2 seasons; the dry season extends from April to October with average temperatures below 30oC, and the wet season extends from November to March with average temperatures below 35oC. While the average annual rainfall in the Kimberley is 1400mm, rainfall varies greatly between different areas.

The Kimberley has a population of 33,705 of which 47% are Aboriginal (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2001 Census). The major towns of the region are Broome, Kununurra, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, and Halls Creek.

Indigenous communities and outstations are scattered throughout the Kimberley with the major communities including Bidyadanga, One Arm Point, Kalumburu, Looma, Warmun, Balgo, Mowanjum and Beagle Bay. Over 30 Indigenous languages are spoken in the region.

The sea and inland waterways of the Kimberley have played an important role in the life and history of its Indigenous people and this enduring bond, together with their proximity to the waterways, has encouraged some communities to develop a strong interest in aquaculture.