Community Trust In Rural Industries 2022-2025 - Joint RDC Initiative
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$48,855.43
Summary
A continuation of representative national surveys of the Australian public regarding attitudes towards trust and acceptance of rural industries, trends shifts, and drivers. Objectives: 1. Develop capability across the sector to monitor, anticipate and respond to shifts in the levels oftrust the community has in Australia's rural industries. 2. Build a common language and collective national narrative around the community trust challenge. 3. Identify common best practi ....A continuation of representative national surveys of the Australian public regarding attitudes towards trust and acceptance of rural industries, trends shifts, and drivers. Objectives: 1. Develop capability across the sector to monitor, anticipate and respond to shifts in the levels oftrust the community has in Australia's rural industries. 2. Build a common language and collective national narrative around the community trust challenge. 3. Identify common best practice approaches, strategies and interventions for building, rebuilding andmaintaining community trust. Read moreRead less
Identification Of Market Requirements For Future Development Of The Australian Seafood Catering Manual
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$25,928.55
Summary
Initally 1000 copies of the Australian Seafood Catering Manual were printed as a two volume set, these sold out within the first 12 months. Subsequently QDPI funded a reprint of Volume 1 of the manual. Volume 2 is now out of print.
There is now a need for research to identify the market requirements for the future development of the Australian Seafood Catering Manual.
The ASCM is the only handbook for the seafood industry designed to be used on the job, that comprehensiv ....Initally 1000 copies of the Australian Seafood Catering Manual were printed as a two volume set, these sold out within the first 12 months. Subsequently QDPI funded a reprint of Volume 1 of the manual. Volume 2 is now out of print.
There is now a need for research to identify the market requirements for the future development of the Australian Seafood Catering Manual.
The ASCM is the only handbook for the seafood industry designed to be used on the job, that comprehensively collates practical seafood information on the, buying , storage, quality, cooking, species identification and characteristics of Australian seafood. Lack of such information in the market place has often led to: - The reluctance of the food service and retail industries to use some seafood - The under utilisation of species, as users are not informed on cooking and handling methods of alternative species available at different times of the year.
Agribusiness Marketing Services receives many enquires from customers such as those involved in the food service and food retail sectors and from seafood exporters and overseas importers, wishing to purchase either or both Volume 1 and 2 of the Australian Seafood Catering Manual. Many customers express concern at the lack of availability of Volume 2.
Although it is believed that a need for this product exists in the market place detailed market research is required to determine how the needs of all target markets can best be met.
In addition there is a need to develop a business plan, incorporating a marketing plan, which will identify the process for preparation and promotion of anyfuture edition of the Seafood Catering Manual. Objectives: 1. To determine the overall physical design and contents for a revised edition of the Australian Seafood Catering Manual. 2. To devise a business plan and a marketing plan for this revised edition of the Australian Seafood Catering Manual incorporating relevant by-products. Read moreRead less
Aquaculture Nutrition Subprogram: Evaluation Of Value-added Grain Protein Products For Atlantic Salmon And Black Tiger Prawns
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$347,378.00
Summary
The need to reduce reliance of aquaculture industries on fish based protein resources has long been recognized as an important issue. Notably the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation have given this issue such importance it is rated among their 9 key challenges to address in the 2000 – 2005 Research and Development Plan. Substantial work has already been undertaken to address this challenge over the past 10 years. Notably, recent developments have seen the increased adoption of some gr ....The need to reduce reliance of aquaculture industries on fish based protein resources has long been recognized as an important issue. Notably the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation have given this issue such importance it is rated among their 9 key challenges to address in the 2000 – 2005 Research and Development Plan. Substantial work has already been undertaken to address this challenge over the past 10 years. Notably, recent developments have seen the increased adoption of some grain based alternatives being used by the aquaculture feed manufacturing industries. Lupin kernel meal use by this sector in particular is a prominent success story.
As the aquaculture feed industries begin to increase their use of alternative protein resources, such as lupin kernel meals, it becomes increasingly important to develop quality assurance (QA) assessment criteria for specific feed ingredients. The nature of these criteria will vary depending on the end use of the product. An improved understanding of the nutritional value and functional properties of the ingredients is also required to maximize the use of these ingredients by these industries and to begin the QA criteria development process.
Presently the extruded fin-fish feed sector (primarily salmonid feeds) is the largest aquaculture user of value-added grain products in Australia. However, it is apparent that further development of market confidence, through resolution of some of the nutritional value assessment and processing issues, is required for some additional aquaculture sectors (e.g. prawns) to encourage routine use of these products and work addressing these issues is planned in this proposal.
Furthermore, exploration of new product possibilities has already begun in the GRDC project with the development of a series of very promising lupin protein concentrates. However, further evaluation of the potential and constraints for the use of these new and innovative products within aquaculture feeds is needed and additional evaluation in Atlantic salmon and prawns is required.
Objectives: 1. To determine the nutritional value of selected grain products, developed as part of the linked CLIMA-GRDC project, when included in feeds for Black tiger prawns and Atlantic salmon. 2. To evaluate any potential nutritional limitations of the grain products in aquaculture feeds. 3. To provide grain producers, grain processors, aquaculture feed manufacturers and the prawn and salmon aquaculture industries with information about the nutritional characteristics and quality assurance criteria of grain products so that they can be marketed and used with confidence in aquaculture feed formulations. Read moreRead less
Improved Performance Of Marron Using Genetic And Pond Management Strategies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$706,426.25
Summary
There is a need for marron aquaculture to follow the example of traditional agriculture and develop domesticated varieties, rather than continuing to rely upon unselected wild stock. In fact, current husbandry techniques on commercial farms, in particular harvesting practices, are likely to result in the selection of slower growing marron for future broodstock (i.e. through early marketing of fastest growing individuals with broodstock chosen from the residual population), as is the case in yabb ....There is a need for marron aquaculture to follow the example of traditional agriculture and develop domesticated varieties, rather than continuing to rely upon unselected wild stock. In fact, current husbandry techniques on commercial farms, in particular harvesting practices, are likely to result in the selection of slower growing marron for future broodstock (i.e. through early marketing of fastest growing individuals with broodstock chosen from the residual population), as is the case in yabby farming (Lawrence et al. 1998).
Investment in marron farming has grown rapidly in WA and SA with medium term potential of 1000 t p.a. ($20 million) in WA and 250 t pa ($6.25 million) in SA, based on current investment (conservatively $15 million in WA), anticipated expansion at these farms, performance of better farmers, and site availability (marron are grown from Geraldton to Esperance). As volumes increase the current excellent ex farm prices for marron ($16-32/kg) may decline and necessitate improved production efficiency. Consultation with industry has identified growth rate and size variation as the main factors affecting profitability of marron farming. Industry’s belief in the need for this research is reinforced with significant cash ($9000 from WA) and in kind contributions.
There is a need to i) compare production of farm stock with that of their ancestral populations to determine the effects of current farm management practices upon marron gene pools, ii) compare different wild stocks to identify the best marron strain for farming, and then iii) genetically improve the best strains
Just as traditional agriculture has increased growth rates of livestock and poultry by strain evaluation and selective breeding, there is a need to achieve similar gains with marron by developing a genetically improved strain which will result in greatly improved profitability for industry.
In addition, there is considerable debate amongst consultants and farmers as to what are the best methods for producing marron. While experimental trials have shown yields may be increased, demonstration and documentation of the "best practice" marron farming system has not been undertaken. There is a need for husbandry improvements that can both increase the quantity and improve the quality of farmed marron. The issue of improved quality is vital to farmers, as marron are exported alive but industry currently report mortality rates of up to 11%. Reducing mortality by ensuring marron being sent to market are in top condition will have clear and measurable improvements in profitability. With industry we have developed this proposal which combines the needs of industry with the proven freshwater crayfish expertise of Fisheries WA researchers along with facilities and expertise in animal breeding from the University of Western Australia. South Australian farmers and researchers are keen to extend such research activity and results to that state. To facilitate this the project involves SA industry, SARDI, PIRSA and the University of Adelaide. Objectives: 1. Selection and genetic improvement to stock. This general objective will be achieved by completing the following specific objectives:i) Identify the fastest growing wild strain of marron,ii) Compare the growth of wild marron strains with a mass selected commercial strain,iii) Determine whether any hybrids have production characteristics that are superior to wild marron strains, iv) Use mass selection to develop a faster growing "domesticated" marron strain or hybrid,v) Decrease size variation of marron cohorts to increase the proportion of marketable animals,vi) Evaluate performance of the mass selected marron strain on commercial properties,vii) Investigate inbreeding effects by comparing growth of mass selected marron with farm stock. 2. Development of improved husbandry protocols. This general objective will be achieved by completing the following specific objectives:i) Compare the effect of aeration upon both production levels and product quality,ii) Determine whether increased numbers of hides can alleviate growth reduction due to high density,iii) Evaluate stocking tightly graded juveniles in commercial ponds upon size variation at harvest, iv) Evaluate stocking advanced juveniles into commercial ponds,v) Trial a non destructive condition index developed for yabbies on marron in commercial farms,vi) Compare the effect of regional variation upon marron growth and production. 3. Extension of results to industry. This general objective will be achieved by completing the following specific objectives: i) Manual of methods for managing marron ponds to improve husbandry and genetics of farm stock,ii) Exchange of information between WA and SA. Read moreRead less
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Development Of A Laboratory Model For Infectious Challenge Of Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea Gigas) With Ostreid Herpesvirus Type-1
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$134,990.00
Summary
The need for further information to assist with the response to OsHV-1 is universally acknowledged by the aquaculture industry broadly, government agencies charged with biosecurity and aquatic animal health scientists in Australia and internationally. Access to a standardised, reproducible and transferable laboratory infection model is critical to ongoing research efforts. Such a model provides a precise method of testing the effect of factors which are suspected to influence the outcome of ....The need for further information to assist with the response to OsHV-1 is universally acknowledged by the aquaculture industry broadly, government agencies charged with biosecurity and aquatic animal health scientists in Australia and internationally. Access to a standardised, reproducible and transferable laboratory infection model is critical to ongoing research efforts. Such a model provides a precise method of testing the effect of factors which are suspected to influence the outcome of an infectious challenge with OsHV-1 on Pacific oysters. The most promising factor for enabling continuation of Pacific oyster production despite the threat of OsHV-1 infection is the identification of genetic variation in susceptibility to POMS. The demand for efficient progress in selective breeding programmes requires a laboratory infection model which is suitable for screening large numbers of candidate families and provides results which can be reliably interpreted.
Objectives: 1. Production and long-term storage of large quantities of a standard OsHV-1 inoculum 2. Evaluation of methods to provide a standard, measured OsHV-1 infection challenge 3. Definition of the outcomes of infectious challenge including mortality, development of histopathological lesions and quantities of OsHV-1 present in tissues 4. Determination of the dose-response under standardised challenge conditions, including variation due to the age of the oysters 5. Determination of the repeatability, reproducibility and transferability of the standard infection challenge 6. Assessment of the susceptibility of flat oysters (spat and adult) to OsHV-1 infection. Read moreRead less
Coastal Floodplain Management In Eastern Australia: Barriers To Fish And Invertebrate Recruitment In Acid Sulphate Soil Catchments
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$601,379.00
Summary
Fish habitat in coastal floodplains will continue to degrade unless practical guidelines for improvement of water quality and management of floodgates and other tidal barriers to allow passage of fish and invertebrates are developed. This is being increasingly recognised by many decision making agencies. However, landholders will not change current management practises unless as a minimum, there will be no adverse effects to their productivity. Guidelines for change must be developed in an integ ....Fish habitat in coastal floodplains will continue to degrade unless practical guidelines for improvement of water quality and management of floodgates and other tidal barriers to allow passage of fish and invertebrates are developed. This is being increasingly recognised by many decision making agencies. However, landholders will not change current management practises unless as a minimum, there will be no adverse effects to their productivity. Guidelines for change must be developed in an integrated manner with a focus on land, water, agriculture and fisheries if all industry groups are to accept the changes.
Recent studies by NSW Fisheries (some funded by FRDC) show that a change in coastal floodplain and wetland habitats from freshwater to estuarine and recruitment of fish and invertebrates to these modified habitats can be achieved by increasing the degree of “leakiness” in the floodgate barriers (Gibbs et al. 1997). However, no data are available on the relationship between fish and invertebrate recruitment and the opening size or the frequency and timing of the opening of these floodgate barriers.
A second issue is the long term impact of chronic acid drainage, which does not cause major fish kills but which may have less obvious effects on the recruitment of migratory and catadromous fish such as Australian bass, striped mullet, freshwater herring, eels and school prawns. The life history, behaviour and demography of the catadromous Australian bass shows it is susceptible to such an impact (Harris 1983,1989). The Basscatch program (Harris 1989) has expanded in recent years and the population collapse through recruitment failure of Australian bass in NSW rivers such as the Hastings and Manning is partially attributed to acid drainage (Harris pers comm).
The management of floodgates and floodplains to allow passage of fish and invertebrates and the development of stable faunal communities in previously alienated habitat above the structures significantly enhances fish and invertebrate stocks. The consequent protection of fish habitats and fish and invertebrate species supports biodiversity conservation and the habitat restoration can assist in the development of management plans under the relevant Threatened Species Legislation.
Gibbs, P., McVea, T. and Louden, B. (1997). Utilisation of restored wetlands by fish and invertebrates. FRDC Project 95/150 Final Report (In Preparation).
Harris, J. H. (1983). The Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata. Ph. D. Thesis UNSW.
Harris, J. H. (1988). Demography of Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata (Perciformes, Percichthyidae), in the Sydney basin. Aust. J. Mar. Freshwater Res. 39: 355-369.
Harris, J. H. (1989). Basscatch - A co-operative fisheries project. Modern Fishing 80-83. Objectives: 1. To develop guidelines for floodgate / tidal barrier specifications and management based on: (a) The relationship between recruitment of migratory and non-migratory fish and invertebrate species and the opening size of, and the frequency and timing of the opening of tidal barriers. (b) The impacts of changed hydrological conditions on watertable and water flows in associated agricultural land. 2. To assess the behaviour of catadromous fish to the tidal flows through openings in barriers and the behavioural response of recruiting juveniles to low level (chronic) concentrations of acid sulphate soil drainage water. 3. To develop and implement an extension program on the outcomes of the project, and to communicate the above guidelines to agricultural industry groups, local government and other agencies with interests in management of land and water resources in coastal floodplains using demonstration study areas and supporting literature. Read moreRead less
SCRC: SCRC Honours Scholarship H3.2 -Impact Of Acid Sulphate Soils On The Survival Of Adult Pacific Oysters Challenged By Bacterial Extracellular Products (Dr James Harris: Student Joel Kellam-Stock)
The Toxicity And Sub-lethal Effects Of Persistent Pesticides On Juvenile Prawns And A Common Inter-tidal Seagrass Species
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$123,475.12
Summary
Four of the eight fishing industry sectors have identified pollution as one of the priorities for improvement. Although the pollution types and sources were not further defined, the impacts from persistent organic pollutants are becoming more common worldwide. Toxic effects arising from exposure to chemical pollutants are frequently reported. In addition, contamination by these chemicals can lead to discrimination and/or rejection of the product in the marketplace. The need is for a properly f ....Four of the eight fishing industry sectors have identified pollution as one of the priorities for improvement. Although the pollution types and sources were not further defined, the impacts from persistent organic pollutants are becoming more common worldwide. Toxic effects arising from exposure to chemical pollutants are frequently reported. In addition, contamination by these chemicals can lead to discrimination and/or rejection of the product in the marketplace. The need is for a properly funded study that examines the quality of inshore seawater in a defined area and from which links can be established between cause and effect. For the reasons set out below, the study proposed is seen as Stage 1 of a multi-stage process which will enable the Fishing Industry to understand where it stands currently as far as water pollution by organic chemicals is concerned and the impacts these chemicals might have on specific ecosystem components.
The focus of stage 2 would be to examine the impact of bio-available inorganic chemicals and, separately, increased levels of nutrients on specified key ecosystem components. A subsequent stage could examine the impact of identified industrial chemicals on appropriate indicator species. The aim must be to appreciate the sensitivity of (South) Australian marine ecosystems to pollution from a variety of sources and the impact on market share.
Stage 1. There is increasing evidence from other States in Australia, and worldwide, that persistent herbicides arising from terrestrial activities are impacting on the growth and productivity of inshore seagrass beds. The toxicity of agricultural chemicals, principally insecticides, has been demonstrated on fish species that are indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere but no study has looked at the toxicity of persistent agricultural chemicals to species found in Australia. And, more importantly, the toxicity of widely used persistent agricultural chemicals to species of commercial importance in South Australia has not been studied.
Recruitment of juveniles from the inshore nursery areas where persistent agricultural chemicals are most likely to be found could be significantly compromised. Modern pesticides, intended for terrestrial use, are toxic at extremely low concentrations.
The levels of persistent herbicides found in marine environments elsewhere in the world are significant, and similar levels would be expected to occur in Australian inshore waters given the extensive use of herbicides in Australian agriculture. The toxicity of persistent herbicides to inter-tidal seagrass species has not been studied in Australia.
A study linking the concentration of a key persistent organic insecticide in the soil, its concentration in the adjacent marine environment and its toxicity to a key marine indicator species such as the prawn, represents a good model for the study of the impact of a non-point source pollutant over a relatively small area.
The contribution by wind-blown topsoil from adjacent farm areas, which can act as a carrier of considerable quantities of adsorbed persistent organic pesticides has not been examined in South Australia. The role of dust-storm events in the transport of toxic chemicals elsewhere in the world is recognised. The concentration in seawater of persistent organic pollutants such as insecticides has not been determined on a seasonal basis. Dose-response data for a major persistent insecticide and a key indicator marine species such as prawns, combined with knowledge of the concentration of the pesticide in seawater, will provide a scientific basis for proposing modification of land management practices.
The demonstration of significant levels of persistent pesticides in fine farm topsoil and identification of those pesticides in seawater, combined with demonstrated toxicity effects on a key marine species of commercial significance, would provide further support for proposing changes in land-care strategies designed to mitigate these inputs. Objectives: 1. The identity and concentration of insecticides in water samples taken seasonally from inshore nursery areas in Spencer Gulf, and also downstream from point sources such as creeks, will be determined throughout the duration of the project. 2. The levels of adsorbed residual insecticides and herbicides adsorbed onto the <200 mesh fraction of top-soil, sampled from selected farms adjacent to recognised marine nursery areas, will be determined. 3. To develop a GIS database identifying the land units adjoining Spencer Gulf likely to contribute wind borne soil to Gulf waters, together with point sources such as creeks and other discharge points that have the potential to contribute pollutants into recognised nursery habitats. 4. The toxic and sub-lethal effects on juvenile prawns of the common persistent insecticides used in broad-scale agriculture and in local government pest-control programs will be determined. Other juveniles, such as blue crabs and an indicator scalefish, may be tested if time and availability of test organisms allows. 5. The toxic and sublethal effects of a major persistent herbicide used in broad-scale agriculture on Zostera, a common inter-tidal seagrass species, will be determined. 6. Having determined what organic pesticide pollutants are in the seawater and in conjunction with the toxicology data and the residue levels in soil, to then establish the probable mechanisms for their appearance in seawater and to recommend ways of mitigating the impacts. The objective here is to prepare and implement an extension program which communicates effectively the results and recommendations of the project to local coastcare groups, local government and appropriate agricultural industry groups and other stakeholders. Read moreRead less
Fish In The Shallows Of NSW South Coast Estuaries: Variability And Diversity Of Fish Communities And The Development Of Biological Indicators For Sustainability And Biodiversity
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$280,358.00
Summary
Major structural changes are occurring in several natural resource industries as the principles of Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD), Biodiversity Conservation and National Competition Policy are implemented. These principles are beginning to have a significant and fundamental impact on natural resource management, at all levels of Government and in several primary industry areas, such as forestry, agriculture and the water industry.
The forestry industry, whi ....Major structural changes are occurring in several natural resource industries as the principles of Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD), Biodiversity Conservation and National Competition Policy are implemented. These principles are beginning to have a significant and fundamental impact on natural resource management, at all levels of Government and in several primary industry areas, such as forestry, agriculture and the water industry.
The forestry industry, which bears closest parallels with the fishing industry, has been in the forefront of these policy changes. In NSW forests: implementation of Biodiversity Conservation principles has led to the reservation of areas traditionally harvested by industry; implementation of ESD principles has led to the need to prepare forestry management plans, incorporating indicators of sustainability; and, National Competition Policies have led to the imminent corporatisation of the NSW forestry management agency and restriction of its activities to commercial harvesting (as opposed to other forestry management activities which will be carried out by other departments and local community management groups).
A major problem in reforming NSW forestry has been the lack of useful forestry data relating to biodiversity and overall sustainability (eg. faunal components of forests). This resulted from management agencies not giving priority to collecting data on biodiversity and has led to somewhat arbitrary decision making and eventual confrontation. A parallel situation now exists in fisheries where, in general, very little data has been collected on diversity of fish communities in the vast majority of areas that are presently being fished.
In NSW, estuary management is the responsibility of many players, such as Catchment Management Committees, River Trusts, the Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC), National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), as well as NSW Fisheries. For example: the majority of estuary restoration projects in NSW are carried out by Local Councils and Catchment Committees; DLWC is implementing "State of the Catchment" reporting; and, "new" players, such as DLWC and NPWS, are beginning to impose "external" constraints on fishing activities, with the objective of conserving biodiversity. Yet very little data exist on variability and diversity of estuarine fish communities in NSW.
While a number of agencies and groups have a role to play in estuary management, none are likely to fund a major fisheries project at this stage. This proposed project is a large-scale fisheries research project, relating directly to fisheries and the health of fish communities. Every opportunity to involve other external collaborators in this project will be explored, however only small-scale funding is likely to be achieved, leading to a fragmented approach to this important collection of data. For example, the applicant has already been successful in obtaining $5,000 from the Illawarra Catchment Management Committee (ICMC) with a $10,000 extension of the project from FishCare, but none of the sampling sites chosen by the ICMC are in areas fished extensively.
During the course of the project, the applicant will be in contact with all the relevant agencies, such as NSW Fisheries, NSW Dept. Land and WaterConservation, NSW National Parks and Wildlife, Local Councils and catchment groups, to ensure full consultation takes place and that maximum collaboration is obtained.
The information to be collected during the course of this proposed FRDC project is likely to be used widely in various management plans and reports prepared by both community groups and Government, including:
* fisheries management plans, * estuary management plans, * catchment management plans, and, * state of the environment reporting.
The inclusion of fisheries information in these reporting mechanisms would: raise the profile of fisheries issues; encourage such data to become an established part of the estuary health indicators; and, in so doing, help in future funding of on-going "monitoring" programs, based on this research project. All of the above reports will be vital to the future of the fishing industry in NSW. The NSW Fishing Industry Research Advisory Committee (NSW FIRAC) has acknowledged the importance of the type of data collected from this proposed project and, as a result, considered it to be amongst their highest priorities for FRDC funding.
This project will provide data on shallow water fish communities in a wide range of estuaries throughout southern NSW and will examine the usefulness of these data as indicators of sustainability and biodiversity. Data on these shallow water fish communities are comparatively easy to collect, but offer several advantages over other possible sampling methods (see Appendix 2). The collection of environmental data at each of the sampling sites will also provide useful information in itself, as well as important data for the interpretation of changes in the shallow water fish populations. Objectives: 1. To examine variability in the diversity and abundance of fishes within and between selected estuaries, coastal lakes and lagoons in southern NSW, including fished and non-fished areas. 2. To provide the first set of comparative data for the south coast region of NSW on the recruitment intensity for a large selection of economically important estuarine fish species. 3. To investigate the usefulness of these data as indicators of biodiversity and sustainability, and possible inclusion as performance indicators in management of estuaries. 4. To provide a comprehensive set of environmental data relating to each sampling location, including water quality and habitat quality parameters. Read moreRead less