2024 Fishing & Farming For The Future - DAF Hermitage Research Facility Schools Plant Science Competition
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Should the FRDC be happy to provide sponsorship at a 'gold' level, as requested, the following benefits will be offered: - FRDC invited to sponsor a specific competition prize/award. - FRDC logo to be included in the competition coordinator's signature block in all competition email correspondence. - FRDC logo to be included in all official 2024 competition publications (eg, competition instructions/guidelines resource, event invitations, event programs, certificates, etc). - FRD ....Should the FRDC be happy to provide sponsorship at a 'gold' level, as requested, the following benefits will be offered: - FRDC invited to sponsor a specific competition prize/award. - FRDC logo to be included in the competition coordinator's signature block in all competition email correspondence. - FRDC logo to be included in all official 2024 competition publications (eg, competition instructions/guidelines resource, event invitations, event programs, certificates, etc). - FRDC logo/banner displayed at promotional events including on stage at the Awards Day & Ag Science Expo (13 August 2024). - FRDC representative(s) Invited to attend and present awards during the Awards Day & Ag Science Expo. - FRDC acknowledged verbally during the welcome address at the Awards Day & Ag Science Expo. - FRDC representative invited to give a 5-10min speech at the Awards Day & Ag Science Expo. - FRDC invited to set up a trade display at the Awards Day & Ag Science Expo. - FRDC's website linked to the DAF competition website. - FRDC acknowledged in all DAF competition media releases. The competition attracts widespread media coverage throughout the year. - FRDC's social media handles included in competition social media posts. - FRDC promotional materials can be distributed to students and guests at the Awards Day & Ag Science Expo and/or in prize packs mailed to schools. The 'Sponsorship Proposal' document outlines all details of the sponsorship opportunity and alternative arrangements may be discussed. Objectives: 1. Improve awareness and understanding to attract capable people in fishing and aquaculture 2. Students, educators and fishing and aquaculture stakeholders are connected 3. Fishing and aquaculture is competitive and complementary with Agriculture to attract and engage people Read moreRead less
A Workshop To Address The Cooperative Development Of The Australian Mussel Farming Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$11,200.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. The development of an industry profile on the mussel sector within Australia giving recognition to the fact that the industry will expand production fourfold over the next five years. 2. Develop a strategy for national cooperation and collaboration amongst producers particularly in regard to supply and demand and product quality. Activities to include: Evaluating the development of a code of practice that addresses the following: - post harvest handling(emphasis on fresh ....Objectives: 1. The development of an industry profile on the mussel sector within Australia giving recognition to the fact that the industry will expand production fourfold over the next five years. 2. Develop a strategy for national cooperation and collaboration amongst producers particularly in regard to supply and demand and product quality. Activities to include: Evaluating the development of a code of practice that addresses the following: - post harvest handling(emphasis on freshness and quality).- adoption and implementation of a condition index. 3. Develop a Research and Development Strategy that will ensure viability and improved international competitiveness. Read moreRead less
Management Zones From Small Pelagic Fish Species Stock Structure In Southern Australian Waters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$108,596.00
Summary
There is an urgent need to ensure that the spatial structure of the management arrangements in the Commonwealth-managed Small Pelagics Fishery matches the ecology of the species taken. Present fishery zoning is essentially jurisdictional, whereas spatial management arrangements need to be both based on whatever biological information exists, and reflect appropriate precaution for uncertainties. As a consequence, there is a need to gather the best information about the spatial structure of sma ....There is an urgent need to ensure that the spatial structure of the management arrangements in the Commonwealth-managed Small Pelagics Fishery matches the ecology of the species taken. Present fishery zoning is essentially jurisdictional, whereas spatial management arrangements need to be both based on whatever biological information exists, and reflect appropriate precaution for uncertainties. As a consequence, there is a need to gather the best information about the spatial structure of small pelagic fish species taken in the fishery that will provide input to both inform a precautionary approach to spatial management and identify the most appropriate research in the next 5 years (approx.) to improve the basis of spatial management and reduce the reliance on precaution. In the absence of definitive scientific proof, a precautionary approach would usually assume small spatial units rather than large ones. Objectives: 1. Undertake a review of the global literature on the subject of small pelagic species stock structures and delineations. The review should focus on available scientific knowledge and current understanding from similar species or general knowledge of the spatial structure of physical and biological processes in this area to suggest an appropriate spatial structure for immediate management. 2. Consolidate and review existing information on small pelagic fish species. Derive from this information, one or a range of reasonable interpretations or hypotheses for the spatial stock structuring of small pelagic species in the Commonwealth Small Pelagics Fishery off southern Australia. 3. Develop from the above interpretations/hypotheses a suite of potential and appropriate interim spatial management zones and measures, recognising the alternative hypotheses and the likely need for precaution. 4. From these hypotheses, generate recommendations regarding sampling design and appropriate analytical techniques to use in a future study to resolve the key uncertainties for future management. Read moreRead less
The USA is the world's most valuable individual agrifood market (with total annual food and beverage expenditure of over US$1 trillion (2002), with average per capita expenditure of US$3,488 per annum (2002), and a population of 300 million by 2006. One of the leading agrifood items over CY1995-2005 was fish/ crustaceans & molluscs (US$9.9 billion in 2005) (source UN, commodity Trade Database, October 2006). Since 1999 the USA has become a net importer of Agrifood ....MARKET OPPORTUNITY
The USA is the world's most valuable individual agrifood market (with total annual food and beverage expenditure of over US$1 trillion (2002), with average per capita expenditure of US$3,488 per annum (2002), and a population of 300 million by 2006. One of the leading agrifood items over CY1995-2005 was fish/ crustaceans & molluscs (US$9.9 billion in 2005) (source UN, commodity Trade Database, October 2006). Since 1999 the USA has become a net importer of Agrifood with a growing dependance on imported food products.
Australia and the USA have recently entered into a FTA. As part of the FTA the tariffs on up to 50 seafood products was and is being reduced. The competitiveness of Australian seafood products versus domestic and international competition has grown.
California is one of the most affluent economies in the world. Consumers have high disposable incomes and a propensity to spend money on entertainment. California also consumes 23% of the country’s specialty food indicating an appreciation and education of fine food, including a propensity to buy.
Food markets are driven by indulgence, health and convenience. No where in the world is this trend more relevant than California. Seafood delivers both indulgence and health in foodservice and indulgence, health and convenience to home consumer.
The purpose of this project is to collect and analyse the information needed to create an efficient, quality led supply chain from Australia to the regions top importer distributors.
Objectives: 1. To scope the opportunity for premium seafood sales (fine dining restaurants and mongers) into California and map existing and potential supply chains to capture the sales. Read moreRead less
Seafood CRC: Increasing The Profitability Of Penaeus Monodon Farms Via The Use Of Low Water Exchange, Microbial Floc Production Systems At Australian Prawn Farms And At CSIRO
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$204,757.30
Summary
The economic viability of the Australian prawn farming industry is under threat because of the increased production of shrimp in south-east Asia and the substantial decrease in global prawn prices. The Australian industry is experiencing difficulty competing with imports – prawns can be landed from China and Thailand for $7 to $9 per kg, compared with the current cost of production in Australia of $5 to $12 per kg. In addition, the industry is under increasing pressure from environmental regulat ....The economic viability of the Australian prawn farming industry is under threat because of the increased production of shrimp in south-east Asia and the substantial decrease in global prawn prices. The Australian industry is experiencing difficulty competing with imports – prawns can be landed from China and Thailand for $7 to $9 per kg, compared with the current cost of production in Australia of $5 to $12 per kg. In addition, the industry is under increasing pressure from environmental regulators to reduce the scale and impact of nutrient discharges from prawn farms.
The critical need is to develop a production technology for P. monodon that enables Australian prawn farmers to gain the same improvements in production efficiency that have been achieved overseas with P. vannamei with high intensity, zero discharge systems. The need for the proposed research is to gain an understanding of the chemical and physical processes occurring in the zero water exchange ponds so as to be able adapt and manage this novel production system for P. monodon. A reduction in nitrogen input into the pond throughout the entire growing season is a critical part in managing a zero water exchange pond system. This can be achieved through lower feeding rates and the use of low-protein feeds. However, this can only be achieved by managing the system so that the prawns get a substantial part of their nutrition from the microbial floc. Hence, there is a need to develop protocols to maximise the nutritional value of microbial flocs and their physical characteristics. In doing this, it will be possible to reduce the amount of feed used and its cost for the production of the prawns, thereby improving farm profitability. Objectives: 1. Determine the effects of variations in nutrient concentrations, carbon source and water exchange on microbial floc formation, composition and persistence in commercial P. monodon ponds. 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of different carbon sources for microbial floc formation in commercial ponds 3. Determine the nutritional benefits of microbial flocs to P. monodon reared in ponds and quantify the associated reduction in feed costs 4. Quantify the effects of low water exchange, microbial floc production system on the reduction in farm nutrient discharge and overall effects on farm profitability Read moreRead less
For aquaculture in Australia to remain internationally competitive farmers need to hear about the latest technology and issues that will govern how they operate and expand. Scientists and technicians need to share their data and ideas and hear first hand from industry what their priorities are. Policy makers need to understand the industry they regulate. All groups benefit from understanding Australian aquaculture in the context of international developments. There are many lessons to be learnt ....For aquaculture in Australia to remain internationally competitive farmers need to hear about the latest technology and issues that will govern how they operate and expand. Scientists and technicians need to share their data and ideas and hear first hand from industry what their priorities are. Policy makers need to understand the industry they regulate. All groups benefit from understanding Australian aquaculture in the context of international developments. There are many lessons to be learnt from aquaculturists overseas. An international aquaculture conference will meet these needs. Industry needs to learn of research outcomes occurring internationally and developments in new technology demonstrated at the trade show. It is a costly exercise for industry to tour overseas, however, a conference and trade show offers the opportunity to expose Australian industry to new ideas ensuring the industry remains informed and can exploit new opportunities and/or adapt to remain competitive.
Many events such as these fail to meet the needs of industry because industry is not involved with the planning and organisation of the conference. The organisation of Australasia Aquaculture 2008, will be carried out by the National Aquaculture Council (NAC) of Australia, the Asian Pacific Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) and lcoal industry organisations. The NAC will ensure the conference is strongly focused to Australian aquaculture industry needs.WAS will assist in ensuring the event is attended by international experts and equipment suppliers.
This conference will be the premium aquaculture conference to be held in Australia in the Asia Pacific region and replaces the previous Tasmanian biennial aquaculture conference.
Objectives: 1. Provide an international forum for aquaculture stakeholders to identify pathways to the sustainable development of Australian aquaculture. 2. Provide an international trade show of aquaculture equipment and services, fully integrated with the conference. 3. To promote Australian aquaculture to international interests Read moreRead less
For aquaculture in Australia to remain internationally competitive farmers need to hear about the latest technology and issues that will govern how they operate and expand. Scientists and technicians need to share their data and ideas and hear first hand from industry what their priorities are. Policy makers need to understand the industry they regulate. All groups benefit from understanding Australian aquaculture in the context of international developments. There are many lessons to be learnt ....For aquaculture in Australia to remain internationally competitive farmers need to hear about the latest technology and issues that will govern how they operate and expand. Scientists and technicians need to share their data and ideas and hear first hand from industry what their priorities are. Policy makers need to understand the industry they regulate. All groups benefit from understanding Australian aquaculture in the context of international developments. There are many lessons to be learnt from aquaculturists overseas. An international aquaculture conference will meet these needs. Industry needs to learn of research outcomes occurring internationally and developments in new technology demonstrated at the trade show. It is a costly exercise for industry to tour overseas, however, a conference and trade show offers the opportunity to expose Australian industry to new ideas ensuring the industry remains informed and can exploit new opportunities and/or adapt to remain competitive.
Many events such as these fail to meet the needs of industry because industry is not involved with the planning and organisation of the conference. The organisation of Australasia Aquaculture 2008, will be carried out by the National Aquaculture Council (NAC) of Australia, the Asian Pacific Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) and lcoal industry organisations. The NAC will ensure the conference is strongly focused to Australian aquaculture industry needs.WAS will assist in ensuring the event is attended by international experts and equipment suppliers.
This conference will be the premium aquaculture conference to be held in Australia in the Asia Pacific region and replaces the previous Tasmanian biennial aquaculture conference.
Objectives: 1. Provide an international forum for aquaculture stakeholders to identify pathways to the sustainable development of Australian aquaculture. 2. Provide an international trade show of aquaculture equipment and services, fully integrated with the conference. 3. To promote Australian aquaculture to international interests Read moreRead less
Development Of Value-added Prawn Products Through Assessing And Refining The Cold Chain And Freezing Techniques Of Brine Immersion Freezers
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$39,760.00
Summary
The Queensland production of aquacultured black tiger prawns (P. monodon) was 1104.3t in 1995/96. The product is mainly bulk packaged fresh and frozen, and is sold onto the domestic market. Only 2% of Australia’s black tiger prawn production was exported in 95/96. The ex farm gate value of black tiger prawns rose only slightly during the 95/96 season to record an average price of $13.41/Kg. Production of this species is expected to rise in subsequent seasons (Lobegieger 1997). The value of blac ....The Queensland production of aquacultured black tiger prawns (P. monodon) was 1104.3t in 1995/96. The product is mainly bulk packaged fresh and frozen, and is sold onto the domestic market. Only 2% of Australia’s black tiger prawn production was exported in 95/96. The ex farm gate value of black tiger prawns rose only slightly during the 95/96 season to record an average price of $13.41/Kg. Production of this species is expected to rise in subsequent seasons (Lobegieger 1997). The value of black tiger prawns can be improved through assisting the development of a retail and wholesale frozen product.
The foodservice industry is rapidly growing in Australia, and seafood is a popular choice for consumers when dining out. The National Seafood Consumption Study (1992) found that this was more than likely due to the mess and waste involved with home preparation of seafood products such as prawns but also found that customers were willing to pay premium prices for convenience and top quality. An opportunity exists to target the catering and restaurant trade with high quality and convenient prawn products especially frozen ones due to the capacity to store them. Increased competition has forced producers world wide to look at the downstream activities and increasingly ask the question - "What does the customer want and how can I best satisfy these wants?". The industry recognises that aquaculture shrimp producers from Asia are now providing stiff competition in price and quality (National Seafood Consumption Study 1992).
This project needs to be performed because of a series of extremely valid reasons:
1) Spiral blast freezers, although producing individual products frozen to -35°C through the use of conveyor belts, are expensive to purchase and run. Small room type blast freezers offer a cheaper alternative but unfortunately because the product needs to be packaged before freezing the resultant form is block or bulk frozen. Consideration must be given to the economic status of small to medium domestic and export businesses (SME's & SMD's). These business are unable to expend the capital required to install units such as spiral blast freezers. The growth of small to medium export and domestic businesses needs to be fostered to allow improvement in Australia’s economic status. SME’s and SMD's greatly outnumber the larger companies in the aquaculture and seafood processing industries
2) Brine freezing offers a rapid reduction in temperature for the product to approximately -15°C, but during the steps of glazing and packaging the temperature will rise. During commercial production we have logged temperature rises to between -4 to -9°C (refer to attachment 1). This places the product into the critical freezing zone and causes damage to the texture and water holding capacity as well as magnifying the risk of oxidation. Because the temperature is not low enough the glaze does not instantly freeze onto the prawn so that during storage some degree of fusing together occurs. The standard industry solution to this problem is to simply drop the package onto a hard surface such as the floor to loosen the attachments. Unfortunately, this also results in breakage to the feelers, legs and tails of the prawns detracting from the visual appeal of the product.
3) The product temperature after packing causes a heat load on the storage freezers increasing production costs for manufactures. It also damages products from previous harvests already stored in the freezers compounding the problem. The only alternative economically viable course of action is for the producer to place the product into a standard room type blast freezer to reduce the temperature and industry recognises this as potentially damaging to the product and inefficient due to the slow rate of heat transfer of the combination of packaged product and these freezers.
4) Temperature fluctuations damage the glaze allowing parts of the prawns to be subjected to freezer burn and desiccation. This makes the prawns unattractive to consumers and lowers the value.
5) The producers need to pack the prawns quickly so they are transferred to the storage freezer as soon as possible. This limits the producer to packing in bulk packages, a very unfriendly method for consumers and lessening the likelihood of retail products being produced.
6)Freezing to a lower frozen temperature and more stable storage conditions combined with the protection of an ice glaze will markedly increase the storage stability and shelf life. This makes it easier for producers to plan their years harvest and sales. It also makes retailers and wholesalers/caterers more confident in continuity of supply.
7) Woolworths is currently importing 5 Kg bulk packs of brine immersion frozen Black Tiger prawns from Thailand. Examples of this product were recently viewed / evaluated by the co-investigator of this project and found to be vastly inferior to Australian product in both appearence and taste. This product could easily be produced in Australia and be of a much higher quality. There is also the added benefit of producing a future export commodity for the growing Asian seafood markets.
8) The current solution used in brine immersion freezers is a 26.4% salt solution. With the increasing health awareness of today’s society, there is greater demand for low or reduced salt and fat products. Our proposal would reduce the amount of salt required by the brine immersion system because the freezing point of the refrigerant would be lowered by means other than brine. In fact we would call our system the immersion freezing technique as brine is usually associated with saturated salt solutions.
9) The only change to the refrigeration units envisaged to enable lower temperatures is the replacement of the expansion (TX) valves and refrigerant gas. The current environmental move is to replace Chloro-Fluro-carbons (CFC’s) with non ozone depleting substances as quickly as possible. It is therefore likely that the operator will be required to cover the cost of replacing the gas in his refrigeration system with a newer less damaging gas in the future as services and repairs occur.
10) The challenge associated with the brine immersion system is simply to achieve a lower immersant temperature. A new solution can be used as a substitute for salt brine. One which has a lower freezing point and results in lower product temperature, when removed from the immersion freezer. By doing this the temperature rises during glazing and packing would result in minimum damage to the product. For example, temperature fluctuations between -35 and -25 °C do not damage the product as do fluctuations between -5 and -15 °C. This procedure would involve the minimum financial outlay by small to medium businesses. It also opens up opportunities for producers to increase the amount of value adding they perform and enhances the likelihood of new retail products being developed. Objectives: 1. To facilitate the development of a convenient and high quality frozen prawn product suitable for the catering / foodservice trade. 2. Determine a more efficient and effective freezing medium and / or handling procedure for use with brine immersion freezers. 3. Develop a suitable packaging system that is compatible with enhanced freezing techniques and provides greater flexibility in wholesale and retail marketing and facilitates more efficient processing, handling and storage and assured quality. 4. Develop a quality assured handling procedure for the product that ensures a high level of consumer confidence in product quality and safety. Read moreRead less
Tactical Response Fund: Implementation Of The NEATFish Environmental Standard For Recreational Fishing Tournaments
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$58,000.00
Summary
Development of an environmental standard for fishing tournaments has been seen by all stakeholders as an opportunity to enhance and promote the sustainability of recreational fishing by proactively addressing possible sustainability issues for larger tournaments as well as fish welfare issues which are beginning to be directed towards the recreational fishing industry more frequently, particularly in catch and release fishing tournaments. When Recfish originally developed the conceptual outline ....Development of an environmental standard for fishing tournaments has been seen by all stakeholders as an opportunity to enhance and promote the sustainability of recreational fishing by proactively addressing possible sustainability issues for larger tournaments as well as fish welfare issues which are beginning to be directed towards the recreational fishing industry more frequently, particularly in catch and release fishing tournaments. When Recfish originally developed the conceptual outline of a national environmental standard for fishing tournaments, they envisaged this process would take around 2 years to develop the system, and after that some 3 to 5 more years for it to gain wide acceptance. Now that the NEATFish standard has been developed after 2 years, the most crucial aspect of its implementation and extension must now begin in earnest. Feedback from industry during its development suggests that the major challenge for the concept will be to create a better awareness of NEATFish and what it has to offer clubs and other bodies. The process of awareness raising will involve development of a website, promotional materials, and a profile for NEATFish in the fishing media and at various industry events, including tackle shows and conferences. Given the need for significant capital outlay to develop a website and other materials to implement and publicise NEATFish, there is a need for immediate additional funding from the FRDC in order to maintain momentum and ensure ultimate success. To do so we wish to utilise unused monies left over from savings made during the previous project (Crispian Ashby has been made aware of the magnitude of these savings) together with additional funding in order to drive the project down the path of commercialisation. Objectives: 1. To develop an interactive website with dynamic content to manage and promote the NEATFish standard and facilitate its uptake by industry 2. To publicise the standard and website in the fishing media 3. To publicise the standard and website at trade tackle shows and conferences 4. To liase with industry bodies, tournament organisers, government authorities and environmental groups Read moreRead less