The $1.16 million project will extend from Port Lincoln to Fitzgerald Bay, which represents a majority of the State's in-sea, farmed seafood production from southern bluefin tuna, yellowtail kingfish, mussels, oysters and abalone.

State fisheries minister Paul Caica said the research would look at interaction between zones and whether optimal production and environmental outcomes could be achieved by farming certain types of species together.

"For example, they will consider whether farming mussels or algae, which feed or grow on nutrients in the water, can offset the nutrients put into the water through farming activities that involve supplementary feeding.

"If that concept is successful, the industry could potentially increase production volume," Mr Caica said.

The minister said he was expecting aquaculture to grow significantly in the State, especially in the abalone, mussel and marine finfish sectors.

New figures released last week show the value of South Australia's aquaculture industry to the State's economy has now reached $657 million a year.

Since 2002/03 the industry's total production has risen from 14,875 tonnes to 20,984 tonnes with the most significant increases being in oysters, mussels and marine finfish.