Investigating The Use Of A Remote Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROUV) For Surveying Abalone On Reefs In The Western Zone Abalone Fishery, Victoria.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$160,000.00
Summary
Provide a tactical and strategic response to the recent outbreak. Develop a cost effective assessment tool to validate the spread of the virus and build a long term mechanism to undertake fisheries independent surveys. Objectives: 1. To validate a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROUV) survey tool 2. Assess options to integrate video from ROUV technology and other sources with existing diver data to develop fisheries independent surveys 3. To validate non surveye ....Provide a tactical and strategic response to the recent outbreak. Develop a cost effective assessment tool to validate the spread of the virus and build a long term mechanism to undertake fisheries independent surveys. Objectives: 1. To validate a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROUV) survey tool 2. Assess options to integrate video from ROUV technology and other sources with existing diver data to develop fisheries independent surveys 3. To validate non surveyed abalone populations Read moreRead less
Determine The Risk That Southern Rock Lobster Fishing And Other Recreational And Commercial Fishing Activities Act As A Vector Of Transmission Of The Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$130,349.30
Summary
This project would utilise the combination of a systematic review of literature and industry consultation to provide a thorough risk assessment of AVG impacting other areas and industries. Risk analysis is a well-established scientific method and is commonly used by veterinary epidemiologists to allow objective assessment of the risks of animal production or harvest practices or trade in transmitting animal diseases. This project seeks to apply risk assessment to explore the risk that SRL fishe ....This project would utilise the combination of a systematic review of literature and industry consultation to provide a thorough risk assessment of AVG impacting other areas and industries. Risk analysis is a well-established scientific method and is commonly used by veterinary epidemiologists to allow objective assessment of the risks of animal production or harvest practices or trade in transmitting animal diseases. This project seeks to apply risk assessment to explore the risk that SRL fishers and other activities pose to transmission of AVG and what level of risk mitigation is required to manage that risk. It may be possible to relax fishing and movement restrictions if the risk can be mitigated, or wider consideration of more activities may lead to risk mitigation recommendations for various activities.
Objectives: 1. Assess the risk that Southern Rock Lobster fishing operations (the use of pots and fishing vessels) act as a vector of transmission of AVG. 2. Assess the risk that other commercial and non-commercial fishing activities act as a vector of transmission of AVG. This will include:• recreational fishing (including boating activities)• abalone fishing and associated activities such as cleaning abalone catch enroute to port• a representative net fishing industry.We note that the Victorian Government has completed a risk assessment on abalone diving and we will not repeat that, instead review their risk assessment and include that in our project to be efficient. Read moreRead less
Rebuilding Abalone Populations To Limit Impacts Of The Spread Of Urchins, Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis And Other External Impacts
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$340,000.00
Summary
Local abalone populations can be severely depleted by a range of impacts, including loss of habitat from the spread of sea urchins, diseases such as AVG and Perkinsus, environmental change and theft. Many of these impacts have been increasing for over a decade, although impacts of sea urchins on abalone and reef habitats in the last 5 years have been spreading in eastern Victoria, and appear related to climate change. Similarly, impacts remain from the spread of AVG through western Victoria.Local abalone populations can be severely depleted by a range of impacts, including loss of habitat from the spread of sea urchins, diseases such as AVG and Perkinsus, environmental change and theft. Many of these impacts have been increasing for over a decade, although impacts of sea urchins on abalone and reef habitats in the last 5 years have been spreading in eastern Victoria, and appear related to climate change. Similarly, impacts remain from the spread of AVG through western Victoria.
There is evidence that production from commercial abalone fisheries continues to be reduced by the ongoing increase in external impacts to local abalone populations. While tools have been developed at a small-scale to help recover abalone populations, there is a strong need to investigate, implement and assess these at a larger scale to be able to minimise further impacts and recover productivity of abalone populations.
VicFRAB this year rated its highest priority to facilitate the investigation of translocating abalone to address declines caused by urchins and disease. Similarly, the NSW DPI strategic research plan identifies a priority to "determine methods to restore depleted reefs of abalone through techniques such as transplants, habitat rehabilitation and reseeding". The ACA Strategic Plan also details actions to plan and support remedial action to reduce the impact of pests, disease and theft on abalone.
The ongoing spread of impacts to local abalone populations is having a broad impact on shallow reef habitats. Small-scale research has demonstrated the potential of recovery techniques, but have not been implemented at a broad scale to actually attempt to recover lost productivity. This project will address the need to investigate the scaling up of recovery techniques, and their costs and long-term benefits, in an attempt to recovery lost productivity from abalone populations in south east Australia. Objectives: 1. Identify and prioritise sites and strategies for assessment to recover shallow reef habitat and productive abalone populations 2. Assess strategies for recovery of shallow reef habitats and productive abalone populations. 3. Develop a business plan to guide ongoing future actions and strategies to extend the project outputs and rebuild abalone populations. Read moreRead less
Best Practice And Policy In Abalone Stock Enhancement, Restocking And Translocation
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$41,802.00
Summary
Stock enhancement and restocking of marine species is an ever-evolving field given the development of new technology and pressures put on species by factors such as fishing, environment and disease. In Australia there have been several large-scale experimental abalone projects conducted, primarily in NSW and WA, with promising results and conclusions. However, these research projects have cost just over $1.7 million and none of the outcomes have translated into commercial-scale abalone stock enh ....Stock enhancement and restocking of marine species is an ever-evolving field given the development of new technology and pressures put on species by factors such as fishing, environment and disease. In Australia there have been several large-scale experimental abalone projects conducted, primarily in NSW and WA, with promising results and conclusions. However, these research projects have cost just over $1.7 million and none of the outcomes have translated into commercial-scale abalone stock enhancement, restocking or translocation. Even so, there is still considerable and continuing interest in stocking where stocks are so depleted as to render recovery without intervention impossible. The question is therefore, why do very few ideas/proposals progress to R&D projects and none have progressed to commercialisation?
This project will review abalone stocking in Australia and jurisdictions current strategic direction and management policies. Through this, potential roadblocks to the commercialisation of abalone stocking in Australia, such as government policy, scientific research, aquaculture practices, genetics and biosecurity/disease will be investigated. At present there is no formal abalone stocking programmes being conducted in Australia, even with the stock declines present in numerous fisheries. However, several major projects have been proposed and the interest in stocking as a fisheries management tool has remained high with substantial investments made. A national approach to abalone stocking will allow regulatory bodies to decide on appropriate stocking programmes and for industry to have confidence in the benefits for the fishery. Objectives: 1. Detailed review of abalone stocking in Australia and current jurisdictional policies. 3. Develop a national approach to abalone stock enhancement, restocking and translocation. Read moreRead less
Best Practice And Policy In Abalone Stock Enhancement, Restocking And Translocation
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$41,802.00
Summary
Stock enhancement and restocking of marine species is an ever-evolving field given the development of new technology and pressures put on species by factors such as fishing, environment and disease. In Australia there have been several large-scale experimental abalone projects conducted, primarily in NSW and WA, with promising results and conclusions. However, these research projects have cost just over $1.7 million and none of the outcomes have translated into commercial-scale abalone stock enh ....Stock enhancement and restocking of marine species is an ever-evolving field given the development of new technology and pressures put on species by factors such as fishing, environment and disease. In Australia there have been several large-scale experimental abalone projects conducted, primarily in NSW and WA, with promising results and conclusions. However, these research projects have cost just over $1.7 million and none of the outcomes have translated into commercial-scale abalone stock enhancement, restocking or translocation. Even so, there is still considerable and continuing interest in stocking where stocks are so depleted as to render recovery without intervention impossible. The question is therefore, why do very few ideas/proposals progress to R&D projects and none have progressed to commercialisation?
This project will review abalone stocking in Australia and jurisdictions current strategic direction and management policies. Through this, potential roadblocks to the commercialisation of abalone stocking in Australia, such as government policy, scientific research, aquaculture practices, genetics and biosecurity/disease will be investigated. At present there is no formal abalone stocking programmes being conducted in Australia, even with the stock declines present in numerous fisheries. However, several major projects have been proposed and the interest in stocking as a fisheries management tool has remained high with substantial investments made. A national approach to abalone stocking will allow regulatory bodies to decide on appropriate stocking programmes and for industry to have confidence in the benefits for the fishery. Objectives: 1. Detailed review of abalone stocking in Australia and current jurisdictional policies. 3. Develop a national approach to abalone stock enhancement, restocking and translocation. Read moreRead less