This project answers all the criteria for the development of a new species of aquaculture (according to FRDC strategic plan, namely: 1) Market driven. There is strong and increasing demand for octopus products, both in Australia and overseas. Demand far outstrips the supply. 2) Being driven by industry with significant existing investment. Fremantle Octopus has already invested over $2 million in R&D and is currently the biggest octopus fishing company in Australia. Occoculture has been ....This project answers all the criteria for the development of a new species of aquaculture (according to FRDC strategic plan, namely: 1) Market driven. There is strong and increasing demand for octopus products, both in Australia and overseas. Demand far outstrips the supply. 2) Being driven by industry with significant existing investment. Fremantle Octopus has already invested over $2 million in R&D and is currently the biggest octopus fishing company in Australia. Occoculture has been specifically established to develop an octopus aquaculture facility and is in the process of raising private equity to assist in funding of the project. Both companies are an integral part of this project. 3) The cost of production will be less than the farm gate price. In the Mediterranean, raw octopus has been selling at up to AU$70/kg in the 2007/08 season. This compares with a current price of AU$11/kg for local stocks. A conservative cost analysis of production is $9/kg. On a value-added basis, wholesale sales in Australia can achieve $40/kg (retailing at $50 to $55/kg) with a 60% gross profit margin. In the European marketplaces, value-added products may achieve up to $100/kg, giving a gross profit margin of 82%. 4) The species is endemic to Australia and builds on an established high value wild caught market with high export potential. 5) There exists the planning framework and access to resources to allow for the timely and orderly development of the project. The two staged R&D plan (i.e. ranching optimization and hatchery techniques development) will ensure immediate implementation of the project outcomes.
Octopus aquaculture is gaining strong interest in SA and Victoria. It is envisaged that the technology developed through this project will be transferable to other ventures in these states.
Objectives: 1. Develop the hatchery techniques for octopus larvae and juveniles ; 2. Optimising octopus ranching and grow out Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Improving The Economic Efficiency Of The Southern Squid Jig Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,000.00
Summary
The Southern Squid Jig Fishery (SSJF) is a small fishery for arrow squid that operates in south eastern waters, primarily off the coasts of Victoria and Tasmania.
As we interpret the brief, the essence of this project is to find a means to restore the SSJF to sustainable economic viability. The problems facing this industry are becoming increasingly common in the agrifood sector and have been brought about by a culmination of factors as outlined below: 1. The increase in costs.< ....The Southern Squid Jig Fishery (SSJF) is a small fishery for arrow squid that operates in south eastern waters, primarily off the coasts of Victoria and Tasmania.
As we interpret the brief, the essence of this project is to find a means to restore the SSJF to sustainable economic viability. The problems facing this industry are becoming increasingly common in the agrifood sector and have been brought about by a culmination of factors as outlined below: 1. The increase in costs. 2. Strong competition . 3. Strong and increasing competition from imports. 4. Superior eating quality. 5. Australian consumers are not well educated about buying and preparing squid, limiting its consumption. 6. The sector has little ability to invest in innovation or process improvements due to low or negative profitability.
Objectives: 1. To assess the range of factors affecting the economic viability of the SSJF for arrow squid in southern Australia. 2. To canvass a broad range of practical solutions that will increase both the profitability and efficiency of the industry. These solutions should be in areas where the SSJF industry can focus efforts to improve profitability, as distinct from factors endemic to the wider fishing industry and other sectors of the economy. Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Revision Of The Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program Manual - In Light Of The FRDC Funded PST Review Report
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$39,000.00
Summary
The updating of the ASQAP manual is urgently needed to ensure that guidance on shellfish management is up to date, sufficient to allow consistency in interpretation and risk assessment and is in line with best practice. The ASQAAC committee represents the Australian bivalve shellfish producers, the program managers from the relevant food safety jurisdictions and the national legislative agencies (Department of Agriculture and FSANZ). It is the key consultative group with regards to bivalve shell ....The updating of the ASQAP manual is urgently needed to ensure that guidance on shellfish management is up to date, sufficient to allow consistency in interpretation and risk assessment and is in line with best practice. The ASQAAC committee represents the Australian bivalve shellfish producers, the program managers from the relevant food safety jurisdictions and the national legislative agencies (Department of Agriculture and FSANZ). It is the key consultative group with regards to bivalve shellfish safety in Australia.
The PST event that occurred in Eastern Tasmania and Bass Strait over the last 24 months, and the FRDC funded review report into the PST incident has highlighted the need to get this national guidance manual updated. It is expected that an updated manual will be outcome focused and provide clear guidance that is internationally robust and meets best practice approaches. The updated ASQAP manual will provide the framework to the relevant state agencies in running their state shellfish safety programs.
The current ASQAP manual is outdated and it was clear from the FRDC PST review report that it urgently needs revision. This position has been accepted by ASQAAC.
Objectives: 1. An updated ASQAP manual will be produced in consultation with all members of ASQAAC 2. The updated manual will be internationally peer reviewed 3. The updated manual will be endorsed by the ASQAAC for agreement by ISC Read moreRead less
Fisheries R & D Corporation To Be Accredited By The Australian Board Of Standards Development Organisations As A Standards Development Organisation (SDO) To Develop Australian Standards In The Seafood Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$25,500.00
Summary
The seafood industry needs to have a Standards setting body that can develop Australian Standards specifically for the seafood industry.
SSA has successfully fulfilled this role since 2005 when it was one of the first organisations to be successfully accredited by Standards Australia as a Standards Development Organisation.
The first Australian Standard to be developed by SSA was the Australian Fish Names Standard (AS SSA 5300) which was accredited as an Australian Standard in ....The seafood industry needs to have a Standards setting body that can develop Australian Standards specifically for the seafood industry.
SSA has successfully fulfilled this role since 2005 when it was one of the first organisations to be successfully accredited by Standards Australia as a Standards Development Organisation.
The first Australian Standard to be developed by SSA was the Australian Fish Names Standard (AS SSA 5300) which was accredited as an Australian Standard in 2007.
SSA is ceasing to operate as at the end of July or soon after.
The end result of this is that either: a. Administration of the AFNS and all IP can be handed back to Standards Australia as per the terms of accreditation; or b. Standards Australia can assign administration of the AFNS and all associated IP to another SDO with a similar scope.
As there are no other like organisations with a similar scope, it is important that a seafood industry organisation be accredited as soon as possible to assume control of the standard.
While the AFNS is a current and will stay in place for 5 years, it is not the type of standard that can be left static. Its strength is that it is continually being amended as species names are added and amended.
In addition to the Australian Fish Names Standard, there are some additional standards that are being proposed • 2015 Australian Standard for Responsible Fishing on Vessels • 2015 Australian Standard for Responsible Fisheries Management • 2015 Australian Standard for Chain of Custody in Seafood • 2015 Australian Standard for Common Language in Seafood
FRDC is a moist appropriate organisation to be accredited as an SDO. Initial discussions with ABSDO are very positive and the fact that FRDC is ISO accredited is a huge bonus. Objectives: 1. A submission to ABSDO addressing all criteria in the document Requirements for Accreditation of Standards Development Organisations) is developed stating the case for FRDC to be accredited as an SDO. 2. FRDC is accredited by ABSDO as a Standards Development Organisation 3. All standards development manuals are rebadged and rewritten where necessary to align with FRDC administrative processes Read moreRead less
World's Best Practice In Environmental Management Of Shrimp Farming
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$7,500.00
Summary
Domestic need
Within Australia, the regulatory frameworks for ecologically sustainable development (ESD) are at a critical point in their development. At the Commonwealth level, aquaculture will be directly affected by amendments to Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982 (WPA); by the introduction of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC); and in Queensland, by the introduction of the Great Barrier Reef Marin ....Domestic need
Within Australia, the regulatory frameworks for ecologically sustainable development (ESD) are at a critical point in their development. At the Commonwealth level, aquaculture will be directly affected by amendments to Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982 (WPA); by the introduction of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC); and in Queensland, by the introduction of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Aquaculture) Regulations 1999. Environmental legislation regulating shrimp culture in Queensland is also currently under review.
The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (SCFA) has established a Working Group on ESD. The working group aims to develop ESD indicators for assessing fisheries and aquaculture in environmental, social and economic contexts. It is anticipated that the ESD assessment process developed through this work will form the basis for Environment Australia’s assessment of fisheries and aquaculture under WPA and EPBC. The first aquaculture case study was held on shrimp farming, 3-4 October 2000.
The Australian Prawn Farmers Association (APFA) convened a National Shrimp Farming Environmental Management Workshop 24-25 May 2000. One of the outcomes of the workshop was for Australian industry “…by 2010, to have technology and farming practices and strategies that achieve worlds best practice and nil tangible water quality impacts…APFA to establish a comprehensive strategy for ESD by fully supporting SCFA Case Study for developing ESD Indicators.”
Given these developments, the expert consultation is ideally placed to facilitate the development of appropriate ESD policy, legal frameworks and good management practices for shrimp culture in Australia. It is expected that the outcomes of the consultation will provide guidance and a common platform for the policy development currently being undertaken by SCFA, Environment Australia and the Australian Prawn Farmer’s Association. This will occur through the interaction of key Australian policy officers with international experts at the consultation, and through the guidelines arising from the workshop.
International need
In December 1997, FAO convened the Technical Consultation on Policies for Sustainable Shrimp Culture. This consultation brought together government delegates and observers from 12 countries of Asia and America accounting for about 90 % of the global production and major consuming countries.
The Consultation noted that the achievement of sustainable shrimp culture is dependent on effective government policy and regulatory actions, as well as the co-operation of industry in utilising sound technology in its planning, development and operations. In this regard, the Consultation recommended that: FAO convene expert meetings to elaborate best practices for shrimp culture and the legal and other regulatory instruments for coastal aquaculture. Objectives: 1. Provide a recognised international forum for discussion on the promotion of sustainable shrimp culture practices, and related institutional and legal instruments; 2. Continue facilitating the process of consensus-building among major stakeholders concerned with shrimp culture development and management; and 3. Identify/determine avenues, as well as specific benefits and limitations, for the development and implementation of Good Management Practices and Good Legal and Institutional Arrangements leading to improvements in shrimp aquaculture management practices at farm and institutional levels. 4. Development of a range of guidelines to implement good management practices for sustainable prawn farming Read moreRead less
Travel Bursary To Attend The AquaVet Program At Cornell University, In Massachusetts, USA
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$8,000.00
Summary
up-skilling as an aquatic veterinarian as well as exposure to the most recent research and best practice in aquaculture and fisheries in North America. This knowledge and experience gained would be directly reflected back onto projects that Panaquatic participates in as well as our aquaculture clients present and future. Objectives: 1. Attendance at in the AquaVet program, an intensive 4-week aquatic veterinary medicine course conducted by Cornell University, in Massachusetts, USA ....up-skilling as an aquatic veterinarian as well as exposure to the most recent research and best practice in aquaculture and fisheries in North America. This knowledge and experience gained would be directly reflected back onto projects that Panaquatic participates in as well as our aquaculture clients present and future. Objectives: 1. Attendance at in the AquaVet program, an intensive 4-week aquatic veterinary medicine course conducted by Cornell University, in Massachusetts, USA Read moreRead less
Research To Provide Data To Support Application For A Minor Use Permits For Chemicals Including Trichlorfon, Chlorine, Copper Sulfate, Hydrogen Peroxide, Benzylkonium Chloride For Control Of Disease Including White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) In Australian Prawn Farms.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$81,800.00
Summary
The need for approved ag-vet chemicals was demonstrated during the response to the outbreak of the exotic pathogen white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in 2016. WSSV is one of a number of exotic pathogens that have caused severe economic impacts for prawn aquaculture internationally. Review of the response to WSSV highlighted the need to access a number of ag-vet chemicals for use in disease prevention and control programs that have been developed by Biosecurity Queensland and industry, in conjunct ....The need for approved ag-vet chemicals was demonstrated during the response to the outbreak of the exotic pathogen white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in 2016. WSSV is one of a number of exotic pathogens that have caused severe economic impacts for prawn aquaculture internationally. Review of the response to WSSV highlighted the need to access a number of ag-vet chemicals for use in disease prevention and control programs that have been developed by Biosecurity Queensland and industry, in conjunction with overseas experts. This application has been prepared to provide funds to commence generating the data required to support applications to the APVMA, seeking approval for minor-use of the highest priority ag-vet chemicals trichlorfon, sodium/calcium hypochlorite; hydrogen peroxide, copper sulfate and benzylkonium chloride that is needed to control crustacean disease vectors in water and on equipment.
There is limited published data on trichlorfon efficacy to kill Tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon), despite a range of data on efficacy in other species. The APFA completed Pre-application Assistance (PAA) from the APVMA for the use of trichlorfon to rapidly kill prawns and other crustacea in 2017. APVMA intially indicated that data to meet module 7.3 environmental fate and behaviour assessment and a module 8.1 efficacy assessment is required prior to lodgement of an application for the proposed trichlorfon use. Subsequently APVMA requested an application to be lodged with a complete public realm data set to consider. This data needs to be sourced and assembled. APVMA may request further data to be generated in response to the lodgement of the application which is proposed to be gathered under this project for trichlorfon, and potentially some of the other candidate chemicals.
Objectives: 1. Compile public domain data ready for submission to APVMA for trichlorfon MUP 2. Compile public domain data ready for submission to APVMA for hydrogen peroxide MUP 3. Compile data for copper sulfate, sodium and calcium hypochlorite and benzylkonium chloride to progress towards application-ready status 4. Collect field data to support trichlorfon use as advised by APVMA Read moreRead less
In Australia, over 2,000 families every year have a stillborn child. Each of these deaths places a heavy psychological and financial burden on parents and families and the wider community. Progress in preventing these deaths has been very slow and despite the impact of this loss, the care provided for parents following a stillbirth is often inadequate. I am leading a national research program to reduce stillbirth and improve care for parents when their child is stillborn.