Reducing the bycatch pf juvenille bream, luderick and mullet in the NSW ocean haul fishery. To ensure long-term sustainability of the targeted species, it is imperative that the ocean haul fishery implements conservation-orientated practices. Failure to reduce the mortality of bycaught bream, luderick and mullet in the ocean haul fishery is likely to impact on the quality of both commercial and recreational fishing for these important species. The aims of the project are to (i) determine selecti ....Reducing the bycatch pf juvenille bream, luderick and mullet in the NSW ocean haul fishery. To ensure long-term sustainability of the targeted species, it is imperative that the ocean haul fishery implements conservation-orientated practices. Failure to reduce the mortality of bycaught bream, luderick and mullet in the ocean haul fishery is likely to impact on the quality of both commercial and recreational fishing for these important species. The aims of the project are to (i) determine selectivity of the existing nets used and (ii) to develop and assess modifications to gears that reduce bycatch. More specifically the utility of simple changes to existing mesh sizes and shapes to improve selectivity and bycatch reduction devices will be investigated. The expected outcomes of this project will be the conservation of hundreds of thousands of juvenile fish ensuring a better fishery, whilst also securing the economic and social structure of coastal communities that support this fishery.Read moreRead less
A genetic and experimental assessment of the frequency and importance of hybridisation of Black and Yellow Fin Bream. Bream (Acanthopagrus spp.) species underpin several valuable and heavily exploited fisheries in eastern Australia, but the two principal species, yellowfin (A. australis) and black (A, butcheri), interbreed significantly. This hybridisation is poorly documented and, with increasing harvests, could lead to long-term economic impacts and severe repercussions on biodiversity. It cou ....A genetic and experimental assessment of the frequency and importance of hybridisation of Black and Yellow Fin Bream. Bream (Acanthopagrus spp.) species underpin several valuable and heavily exploited fisheries in eastern Australia, but the two principal species, yellowfin (A. australis) and black (A, butcheri), interbreed significantly. This hybridisation is poorly documented and, with increasing harvests, could lead to long-term economic impacts and severe repercussions on biodiversity. It could, for example, increase the risk of localised extinctions and impact on genetic diversity of both species. We will use an innovative combination of molecular genetics and breeding experiments to: (i) determine frequency and direction of hybridisation; (ii) infer strength of genetic connections among estuaries; and, (iii) explore implications for sustainable fisheries management.Read moreRead less
Stocking of fish and prawns at ecologically determined densities into Australian estuaries. Increasing numbers of people like to go fishing, and to catch a fish, which translates into tourism income and aquaculture business. Restocking is a fisheries management option when the natural supply or survival of larvae is limited. This study will determine for the first time the ecologically appropriate abundance of small mulloway and prawns that an estuary can sustain. We will assess the extra eff ....Stocking of fish and prawns at ecologically determined densities into Australian estuaries. Increasing numbers of people like to go fishing, and to catch a fish, which translates into tourism income and aquaculture business. Restocking is a fisheries management option when the natural supply or survival of larvae is limited. This study will determine for the first time the ecologically appropriate abundance of small mulloway and prawns that an estuary can sustain. We will assess the extra effort needed to release larvae into particular key habitats, and develop new technologies to identify our larvae from the wild. Our findings will be relevant to restocking of Australia's inland rivers, which at present has little ecological basis.Read moreRead less
Design and Development of DNA Oligonucleotide Microarrays (Biochips) for Fish Species Identification From Processed Food Products. Australia's seafood industry (valued at A$2 billion/annum) imports and exports a wide variety of fish and shellfish products. This industry is open to exploitation, specifically in respect of product labelling. A rapid and reliable method for identifying commercial and endangered fish species in seafood products is urgently needed for effective management and regulat ....Design and Development of DNA Oligonucleotide Microarrays (Biochips) for Fish Species Identification From Processed Food Products. Australia's seafood industry (valued at A$2 billion/annum) imports and exports a wide variety of fish and shellfish products. This industry is open to exploitation, specifically in respect of product labelling. A rapid and reliable method for identifying commercial and endangered fish species in seafood products is urgently needed for effective management and regulation of the industry. New genetic biochip technology enables any species or strains of an organism to be rapidly, and accurately, identified by non-experts. In collaboration with GeneScan Australia, this project applies this new technology to develop a diagnostic tool for checking the labelling of Australian seafood products.Read moreRead less
Spatial ecology of inshore predators in tropical marine systems and implications of marine protection zones. Coastal development and threats of global climate change mean that coastal ecosystems are under increasing pressure. Developing an understanding of how coastal habitats are used by native fauna and how effective protected areas are in the preservation of these species is critical for future management and sustainable use of resources. This research will provide data for resource and fis ....Spatial ecology of inshore predators in tropical marine systems and implications of marine protection zones. Coastal development and threats of global climate change mean that coastal ecosystems are under increasing pressure. Developing an understanding of how coastal habitats are used by native fauna and how effective protected areas are in the preservation of these species is critical for future management and sustainable use of resources. This research will provide data for resource and fisheries managers that are valuable for maintenance of several sectors of the economy including tourism and commercial fishing (inshore fishing worth $23 m a year). The project is linked to a national telemetry network thus providing opportunity for national and international collaboration benefiting scientific, management and coastal communities.Read moreRead less
Population structure in the giant Australian cuttlefish - implications for management of a unique eco-tourism and fishery resource in regional Australia. A management strategy for the giant Australian cuttlefish in regional South Australia is required urgently because of potential conflict between ecotourism and fishery sectors. At present, development of a management strategy is stymied by lack of information on stock structure and movements. Analyses of variation in gene frequencies, morphom ....Population structure in the giant Australian cuttlefish - implications for management of a unique eco-tourism and fishery resource in regional Australia. A management strategy for the giant Australian cuttlefish in regional South Australia is required urgently because of potential conflict between ecotourism and fishery sectors. At present, development of a management strategy is stymied by lack of information on stock structure and movements. Analyses of variation in gene frequencies, morphometric and chemical trace element profiles in calcified structures among locations and years will enable the geographic extent of populations or stocks to be determined, including whether natal homing occurs. Such information is critical to sustainable management of the species and design of a marine protected area in the upper Spencer Gulf.Read moreRead less
Tidal generation of internal waves and currents. The North West Shelf (NWS) is a region of great significance to Australia, due mainly to the presence of the multi-billion dollar oil and gas industry, but also for fishing and national defense issues. This project will combine laboratory, numerical and field studies to quantify the production of internal waves on the NWS. The results will aid engineering design of offshore pipeline and structures, for both current production facilities and for fu ....Tidal generation of internal waves and currents. The North West Shelf (NWS) is a region of great significance to Australia, due mainly to the presence of the multi-billion dollar oil and gas industry, but also for fishing and national defense issues. This project will combine laboratory, numerical and field studies to quantify the production of internal waves on the NWS. The results will aid engineering design of offshore pipeline and structures, for both current production facilities and for future developments in deeper waters. The project will also provide quantitative knowledge and predictive behavior of the marine environment, allowing the development of earth and marine resources in a sustainable and informed way to protect the marine-based biodiversity.Read moreRead less
The Legal Framework for International Cooperation in Maritime Enforcement Activities. The Project will analyse the gaps in the international framework to achieve cooperation in maritime enforcement and make recommendations for improvements to existing legislative arrangements to facilitate successful combat of international maritime criminal activity.The Project is timely because it addresses some long-standing national requirements to improve Australia's ability to adequately enforce its sovere ....The Legal Framework for International Cooperation in Maritime Enforcement Activities. The Project will analyse the gaps in the international framework to achieve cooperation in maritime enforcement and make recommendations for improvements to existing legislative arrangements to facilitate successful combat of international maritime criminal activity.The Project is timely because it addresses some long-standing national requirements to improve Australia's ability to adequately enforce its sovereign rights throughout its maritime zones of jurisdiction. The issues involved have taken on a greater contemporary significance in light of recent events, including the surge in illegal people smuggling into Australia, increased illegal fishing activity in Australia's Southern Ocean exclusive economic zone by highly organized criminal syndicates and heightened tensions with regard to maritime terrorism.
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Victorian Fishers: an ethnographic study. The project will study fishers and their families in three Victorian coastal communities- Lakes Entrance, the Corner Inlet ports, and Portland - to investigate how the character of fishing communities and perceptions of fishing as a way of life are affected by socio-economic context. The project will contribute new conceptual understandings of the construction of identity in fishing communities, establish a basis for studying diversity in discourse and p ....Victorian Fishers: an ethnographic study. The project will study fishers and their families in three Victorian coastal communities- Lakes Entrance, the Corner Inlet ports, and Portland - to investigate how the character of fishing communities and perceptions of fishing as a way of life are affected by socio-economic context. The project will contribute new conceptual understandings of the construction of identity in fishing communities, establish a basis for studying diversity in discourse and practice in contexts where access to marine resources is governed by legislative control and scientific advice, and has the potential to provide input to policy development within the Victorian and Commonwealth fishing industryRead moreRead less
Larval Dispersal And The Design Of Marine Reserve Networks: Benefits Within And Beyond Boundaries. Most marine organisms produce tiny offspring that are dispersed unknown distances by oceanic currents. Our present strategies to manage marine resources lack this vital piece of information. This study will apply two revolutionary techniques that finally enable us to determine how far marine larvae travel. Using the team that developed these techniques, field studies will for the first time measure ....Larval Dispersal And The Design Of Marine Reserve Networks: Benefits Within And Beyond Boundaries. Most marine organisms produce tiny offspring that are dispersed unknown distances by oceanic currents. Our present strategies to manage marine resources lack this vital piece of information. This study will apply two revolutionary techniques that finally enable us to determine how far marine larvae travel. Using the team that developed these techniques, field studies will for the first time measure both retention of fish larvae within marine protected areas and dispersal of larvae to adjacent fished areas on coral reefs. This information can be directly applied to optimize the size of reserves and their spacing in marine protected area networks.Read moreRead less