The Kids in Communities Study: national investigation of community level effects on children's developmental outcomes. This project (a cross-disciplinary collaboration) will investigate community level factors influencing early childhood developmental outcomes using a mixed methods approach in up to 10 communities across Australia. This will result in a potential set of measures or indicators that reflect communities that are good for children.
SCRC: The Role Of Seafood (and Fish) In Disease Prevention And Management (text For An E-book)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
The RAC supported the concept of developing a single, consumer oriented publication on the health benefits of seafood. This project will provide text for an e-book to the Australian Seafood CRC (ASCRC) based on the best available evidence associated with seafood consumption and human health.
The ASCRC communications company (Fuller) will lay out and design the e-book (including graphics) as part of the ASCRC 'Super Seafood' branding and packaging of information.
Survey Of The Pattern Of Fish And Shellfish Consumption In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Provide statistical data on the level and pattern of fish and shellfish consumption in Australia, with particular reference to those groups in the community exposed to significant levels of mercury
Rural Safety & Health Alliance - A Joint RDC Initiative
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$60,000.00
Summary
Australia’s Rural Industries, represented by nine Rural Research and Development Corporations, are leading the way on health and safety improvement through effective research, development & extension (RD&E).
The Rural Safety and Health Alliance will facilitate cross-sectoral RD&E to minimise the negative impacts associated with death, injury and illness, and maximise the benefits of a productive, healthy and safe rural workforce.
For more information refer to: https://www.rsh ....Australia’s Rural Industries, represented by nine Rural Research and Development Corporations, are leading the way on health and safety improvement through effective research, development & extension (RD&E).
The Rural Safety and Health Alliance will facilitate cross-sectoral RD&E to minimise the negative impacts associated with death, injury and illness, and maximise the benefits of a productive, healthy and safe rural workforce.
For more information refer to: https://www.rsha.com.au/ Objectives: 1. Key features of the alliance include setting clear priorities to better target research, development and extension, strengthening industry leadership and developing a ‘shark tank’ funding model, where applicants work together to pitch projects for funding. Read moreRead less
Internet technologies, health informatics and statistical methods, and new delivery platforms in call centres. Although depression is the major cause of health disability, 60% of Australians with depression do not receive professional help. There are few systems for delivering health information and resilience skills to members of the community. This project aims to develop a workable system to reduce unmet need. It will provide a model of information delivery applicable to other areas of the ....Internet technologies, health informatics and statistical methods, and new delivery platforms in call centres. Although depression is the major cause of health disability, 60% of Australians with depression do not receive professional help. There are few systems for delivering health information and resilience skills to members of the community. This project aims to develop a workable system to reduce unmet need. It will provide a model of information delivery applicable to other areas of the health industry, particularly those involving chronic disease. It has applicability to education and other sectors which involve the delivery of information to the public. Because e-health is an emerging field, the project also has the capacity to build expertise in an area which is under-resourced. Read moreRead less
There is a need to assess new technologies in collecting and assessing fish health data. New technologies offer the potential to increase sampling, speed up basic assessment, improve basic diagnostic accuracy, lower costs and possibly limit the need for pathology to when it is really needed. It also provides the opportunity to improve public reporting of fish health issues. While the original proposal by Infofish was unsuccessful we were invited to submit a revised proposal that focused on bette ....There is a need to assess new technologies in collecting and assessing fish health data. New technologies offer the potential to increase sampling, speed up basic assessment, improve basic diagnostic accuracy, lower costs and possibly limit the need for pathology to when it is really needed. It also provides the opportunity to improve public reporting of fish health issues. While the original proposal by Infofish was unsuccessful we were invited to submit a revised proposal that focused on better automated data collection (Trackmyfish) and assessment (Machine Learning) to test the application of these technologies.
Objectives: 1. To deploy tools to automate data collection and assessment of fish health using data collected in Gladstone Harbour as a trial. 2. To undertake structured data collection of fish samples using Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership’s sub-regions and the Boyne Tannum HookUp fishing competition. 3. To evaluate the potential to adapt the methods developed to monitor fish health in other estuaries and ports in Australia. Read moreRead less
Ollies Island - Interactive Edu-tainment Program Exploring Sustainable Production And Consumption (pilot Project)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$30,000.00
Summary
It is becoming more and more evident that today’s modern consumers are disconnected from the social, economic and environmental impacts of their consumption habits. Although the fisheries industry, along with a number of other Australian industries, has started to explore some of these key issues, no research has been undertaken to look at the full picture here in Australia. This pilot project will address Challenge 6 of the FRDC’s Strategy by investigating a range of issues associated with the ....It is becoming more and more evident that today’s modern consumers are disconnected from the social, economic and environmental impacts of their consumption habits. Although the fisheries industry, along with a number of other Australian industries, has started to explore some of these key issues, no research has been undertaken to look at the full picture here in Australia. This pilot project will address Challenge 6 of the FRDC’s Strategy by investigating a range of issues associated with the production and consumption across the fisheries industry. It will produce reference information that covers a range of issues relevant to the fisheries industry. Objectives: 1. To research the interconnected issues of production and consumption across the fisheries industry 2. To incorporate this information into a program covering chains of production and consumption across all major industries in Australia. Read moreRead less
Social And Economic Evaluation Of NSW Coastal Aquaculture
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$118,253.00
Summary
The NSW coastal aquaculture industry needs sound information about its economic and social contributions to coastal communities for its continued access to coastal resources to address prevalent negative perceptions. Competing coastal uses such as marine protected areas for conservation purposes and havens for recreational fishing may compromise the viability of aquaculture. For example, in recent submissions to government about commercial shellfish aquaculture leases in Jervis Bay, one submissi ....The NSW coastal aquaculture industry needs sound information about its economic and social contributions to coastal communities for its continued access to coastal resources to address prevalent negative perceptions. Competing coastal uses such as marine protected areas for conservation purposes and havens for recreational fishing may compromise the viability of aquaculture. For example, in recent submissions to government about commercial shellfish aquaculture leases in Jervis Bay, one submission claimed: “The contribution to the local and regional economy is estimated to be no more than $2 million. Is it worth risking a $700 million tourism industry for this small return?” Responses to this submission relied on evidence from locations outside NSW because currently there is no information available about contributions aquaculture makes to NSW regional communities beyond the value of farm gate sales. It is possible that aquaculture may enhance tourism, as it does in other regions in Australia and overseas, rather than detract from it, but without evidence it is difficult to make the case.
The NSW coastal aquaculture industry and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) staff working on aquaculture have identified a need for a social and economic evaluation of the contributions the industry makes to regional communities. The new Marine Estate resource allocation process is based on assessments of social, economic and ecological values, threats and risks, highlighting absolute necessity of social and economic evaluations. Current trends for social responsibility reporting or certification for marketing also require social assessments. Finally, part of the need here is to improve the industry’s social license to operate. This project will provide baseline information that industry can then use to inform their community engagement strategies. DPI Aquaculture Manager Ian Lyall discovered that this kind of evaluation was planned for FRDC 2014/301 (on wild catch fisheries) and contacted the PI Kate Barclay to see if the same could be done for aquaculture, resulting in this proposal. DPI would benefit from this information for strategic planning for future development of coastal aquaculture. Objectives: 1. Evaluate the economic contribution of aquaculture production in relevant regions on the NSW coast, including the regional economic impacts such as multiplier effects and employment and contributions to related sectors within regions, building on previous similar studies. 2. Evaluate the social contributions of aquaculture for the same regions, including the participation of families in community organizations, heritage values of seafood production for regions, and the social aspects of economic contributions, building on previous studies. 3. Establish a methodology to be used for ongoing social and economic evaluations as part of government reporting and industry engagement, building on recent and ongoing work in this field. 4. Write a report integrating the social and economic evaluations for each region identifying the role of aquaculture in those communities, and highlighting threats to sustainability and viability, in a form suitable for engaging with local and state government agencies. Read moreRead less
Strengthening Partnerships And Relationships Within The Recreational Fishing Sector
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$20,257.00
Summary
In a recently completed study (2007/058 and R4041) into strategic funding options for the recreational fishing sector, options for the national peak body, Recfish Australia, appeared limited. In the face of decreased funding from the Australian Government (a three year funding agreement ended on 30 June 2008 with no commitment to continue), the association was advised to seek alternative funding.
An option of seeking funding from the fishing trade and boating industries is currently bei ....In a recently completed study (2007/058 and R4041) into strategic funding options for the recreational fishing sector, options for the national peak body, Recfish Australia, appeared limited. In the face of decreased funding from the Australian Government (a three year funding agreement ended on 30 June 2008 with no commitment to continue), the association was advised to seek alternative funding.
An option of seeking funding from the fishing trade and boating industries is currently being investigated but there are several challenges that need to be addressed before funding can be secured.
There is a need for Recfish Australia to build trust with both industry and other recreational fishing organisations not currently part of the association. A clear business case and purpose for Recfish Australia that delivers benefits to recreational fishers and industry partners needs to be formulated and the details of any funding agreement need to be carefully considered.
What is clear is that there is an ongoing need for Recfish Australia to continue as a national peak body advocating on behalf of recreational fishers and engaging with Australian Government agencies and departments. Recfish Australia provides a valuable service and ensures that the needs and rights of recreational fishers are considered in discussions of issues such as marine protected area planning, biosecurity, research and development and in strategies to deal with the implications of climate and environmental change. Objectives: 1. Recfish Australia to host a preliminary, facilitated, meeting with AFTA, BIA, Sunfish Queensland and the Game Fishing Association of Australia to discuss the conditions of a funding agreement between industry and Recfish Australia and identify issues impacting the formation of a unified peak body. 2. Recfish Australia to host a facilitated, round table discussion of all current, past and potential members to discuss the funding proposal and business environment of Recfish Australia 3. Recfish Australia to review its constitution, business case and strategic plan. Read moreRead less
Social Science Research Coordination Program: Identifying, Communicating And Integrating Social Considerations Into Future Management Concerns In Inshore Fisheries In Coastal Queensland
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,000.00
Summary
This study documents the needs and concerns of fishers and their families in Queensland coastal regions to expand the corpus of knowledge about fishing as an industry, for the sake of informing government of social impacts, and to incorporate local social considerations into current and future management plans. The study focuses on how fisheries policies impact on fishers and their families socially and culturally, and how these groups negotiate and respond to political, market and ecologically ....This study documents the needs and concerns of fishers and their families in Queensland coastal regions to expand the corpus of knowledge about fishing as an industry, for the sake of informing government of social impacts, and to incorporate local social considerations into current and future management plans. The study focuses on how fisheries policies impact on fishers and their families socially and culturally, and how these groups negotiate and respond to political, market and ecologically driven management measures. It is significant as it brings together important but little researched aspects of the impact of management decisions on fishers, families and communities. Research is crucial to understand the social legacy of those decisions on the social wellbeing of fishing communities, including the health and quality of life of fishers, families, and those involved in fisheries-related businesses.
Understanding the social costs of policy decisions can help mitigate harmful physical and mental health outcomes, a situation of critical significance to rural, state and national economies. Fishing families and communities are important; they provide substantial regional employment and income to local economies; they underpin the social fabric of many coastal regions which display a strong fishing cultural heritage and are substantial contributors to the social and economic viability of rural communities. However, their ability to weather the social and economic stressors of closures, especially at times of increasing global fisheries pressures, has received limited attention. Few studies have been conducted on the way fishers and their families perceive and value their status as fishers, and how their worldview influences their quality of life, social wellbeing, and their attitudes towards place and the marine environment. Our findings will be of direct use to policy developers in adopting intrinsic measures for social impact assessment, and in integrating local knowledge into future social impact assessments.
Objectives: 1. To examine and compare the attitudes, values and experiences of those involved in viable and vulnerable fisheries, both inshore and offshore, and those fishers and their families who have left the industry; 2. To identify the social and cultural impacts, examining wellbeing, quality of life outcomes and social resilience as a result of fishing closures and fishing effort rationalisation; 3. To examine adjustments in households amongst fishers and spouses; 4. To investigate the ways in which fishers, their families and local communities are adapting to social, economic and ecological change. Read moreRead less