Australian Agrifood Data Exchange (OzAg Data Exchange): Deliver An Interconnected Data Highway For Australia's AgriFood Value Chain - Proof Of Concept
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$344,500.00
Summary
Although the use of data and analytics is becoming more widespread across agricultural industries and institutions, the sector is held back by the lack of a consolidated data platform that combines multiple data sets from multiple data sources in real time. Other technology and data challenges compromising the strength of the Australian agriculture industry include:
Businesses often need to access multiple data systems/datasets which are stored across various platforms and function ....Although the use of data and analytics is becoming more widespread across agricultural industries and institutions, the sector is held back by the lack of a consolidated data platform that combines multiple data sets from multiple data sources in real time. Other technology and data challenges compromising the strength of the Australian agriculture industry include:
Businesses often need to access multiple data systems/datasets which are stored across various platforms and functions and are not well integrated. Aggregating and reconciling these datasets require manual intervention, is rife with errors/duplication and require significant effort to ensure uptake across the business in order to lead to tangible analytics outcomes. This interoperability challenge is commonplace across the industry today.
Data is not shared between the various stakeholders within the industry at times leading to analysis been taken place with incomplete datasets and other times for duplication of efforts with varying results. Data sharing/collaborating culture which would be backed by an established data governance framework including protocols/policies for data access, privacy, definition and standards, would uplift the industry analytical capabilities.
Challenges in understanding where to prioritise efforts to best support the industry. With significant opportunities for data-driven use cases across the value chain, defining the prioritisation of funding and efforts to build capabilities is a critical challenge for industry bodies and governments. The OzAg DX could enable consolidated, integrated and standardised data, to help reduce the labour intensive effort of collecting and analysing data to make better informed prioritisation decisions on deployment of limited support resources and capabilities.
A slow take up of digital technologies is slowing agricultural productivity growth. As Australia looks to achieve the target of $100 billion farm gate output by 2030, digital agriculture is expected to contribute up to an additional $20 billion annually to the gross value of agricultural production. Objectives: 1. Exchange data efficiently on agreed terms with trusted service providers or other interested parties such as government and researchers 2. Enable Australia's agrifood sector to access and take full advantage of the huge amounts of data that is being generated and efficiently transfer their data across the value chain 3. Reduce costly inefficiencies, poor collaboration, wasteful use of critical managerial time and loss of opportunities caused by disparate, siloed and proprietary data systems Read moreRead less
Data Management And Governance Framework Development For Fishing And Aquaculture
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$50,000.00
Summary
FRDC requires mechanisms to assess and govern the data for which it is custodian or may become custodian of. FRDC requires a data governance framework that builds on the concepts of the NFF Farm Data Code and other Agricultural data best practices for use by FRDC data stakeholders. A data governance framework will ensure that FRDC BAU and project data is captured, managed and distributed with accountability, consistency, security and meets defined standards throughout the data lifecycle. As a co ....FRDC requires mechanisms to assess and govern the data for which it is custodian or may become custodian of. FRDC requires a data governance framework that builds on the concepts of the NFF Farm Data Code and other Agricultural data best practices for use by FRDC data stakeholders. A data governance framework will ensure that FRDC BAU and project data is captured, managed and distributed with accountability, consistency, security and meets defined standards throughout the data lifecycle. As a coordinating industry body, it is essential that FRDC leads the way with a robust, considered approach to data management. This will place FRDC as a best practice example, it will enable consistent discussion and guidance to stakeholders and data partners and will provide a consistent foundation for overall trust and capability in the use of data as well as providing a foundation for the FRDC to maximise the value of data created through the Australian innovation system. It is expected that subsets of the FRDC data governance framework will be developed in the future to extend support to FRDC stakeholderss.
Objectives: 1. Development of a Data Governance Framework for use by FRDC and for FRDC to use to provide data governance advice and support to stakeholders 2. Identification of the processes, roles and policies required to ensure data quality, management and security 3. A documented FRDC data lifecycle 4. A documented approach to monitoring and review of the framework 5. Recommendations for training opportunities for future FRDC investment 6. 1-2 Written use cases to support the framework and aid adoption Read moreRead less
Sailing The Marine Knowledge Landscape: Enhancing The Discoverability, Accessibility, And Usability Of FRDC Investment
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$80,000.00
Summary
Currently, there are only few mechanisms in place that attempt to synthesise the vast amount of research funded by Australia’s Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) in the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors and organisations outside the RDC space. Even fewer mechanisms exist that attempt to synthesise research from across the marine science space specifically, wherein which the Fisheries RDC (FRDC) operates.
The aim of this project is to input FRDC research into the RL ....Currently, there are only few mechanisms in place that attempt to synthesise the vast amount of research funded by Australia’s Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) in the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors and organisations outside the RDC space. Even fewer mechanisms exist that attempt to synthesise research from across the marine science space specifically, wherein which the Fisheries RDC (FRDC) operates.
The aim of this project is to input FRDC research into the RLA platform, thereby making it more discoverable, accessible, and usable. The RLA service offers various knowledge tools, which intend to be explored as part of this project also, to allow the FRDC to explore and better understand the marine science and agricultural innovation landscape. Furthermore, the project aims to make the RLA platform known within the wider marine science community and across different RDCs and encourage the adoption of the new capability to link industry and research.
This project expects to yield several benefits for actors both within and outside the fishing and aquaculture community. The RLA platform acts as a link between government, business, and research sectors. Inputting FRDC research into the RLA platform encourages collaboration and innovation between actors both within and outside the marine science space and facilitates knowledge transfer between these currently disconnected actors.
Objectives: 1. To share Fisheries Research and Development Corporation research project data to be made available on the Research Link Australia platform, thereby making it more discoverable, accessible, and usable. 2. To explore different knowledge tools (i.e., Research Link Australia-generated dashboards or applications of Large Language Models) to better understand the marine science space and explore the agricultural innovation landscape. 3. To make the Research Link Australia platform known within the wider marine science community and across different Research and Development Corporations and encourage the adoption of the tool. Read moreRead less
Accelerating The Adoption Of Digital Technology On Queensland Prawn Farms
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$30,000.00
Summary
Over the next five years, Australia’s prawn farming industry is projected to grow to $500M of sales value, as well as an anticipated capital investment of $400M in expansion projects. Subsequently, this will create an estimated 1,200 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs in regional Australia. This significant expansion, and increased reliance on digital skills and infrastructure will challenge the industry and requires a strategic approach to building capacity to accelerate the transformation of the s ....Over the next five years, Australia’s prawn farming industry is projected to grow to $500M of sales value, as well as an anticipated capital investment of $400M in expansion projects. Subsequently, this will create an estimated 1,200 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs in regional Australia. This significant expansion, and increased reliance on digital skills and infrastructure will challenge the industry and requires a strategic approach to building capacity to accelerate the transformation of the sector. Members of the APFA have identified a need to invest in emerging technologies, such as novel disease management, automatic feeders, innovative aeration technologies, feed additives, drones, digitised farming and water management systems, as outlined in their Strategic Plan 2020-25. These technologies have the potential to make prawn farming businesses more profitable, productive and environmentally sustainable. In order to embrace these technologies, the industry urgently needs workers to be digitally literate and attract new employees that already possess or are willing to be trained in these skills. The ‘Accelerating the adoption of digital technology on Australian prawn farms’ project will create a resilient and profitable prawn farming workforce by escalating the adoption of digital technologies across the sector. A range of emerging and current technologies will be showcased to prawn farmers to accelerate their adoption, thus increasing their responsiveness and resilience to industry challenges. By providing industry-wide learning opportunities for employees across the supply chain, a capable and confident workforce will be created. The project will focus on building the digital skills and capabilities of current and future workforce participants, as well as create new job opportunities across regional Australia for people already digitally literate. With the support and the commitment of the industry and the government this project has the potential to digitally transform prawn farming, showcase its advancements to the wider population, and develop resources to deliver the skilled workers needed for ongoing success.
Objectives: 1. The development of a user-friendly Prawn Skills Digital Training Hub 2. An assessment of the digital skills required to adopt a minimum of three specific currenttechnologies which have the potential to make Queensland prawn farms more profitable,productive and environmentally sustainable 3. A minimum of three training packages developed to increase the digital capabilities ofQueensland prawn farming industry workforce participants. 4. A minimum of three self-paced online training courses hosted on the Prawn Skills DigitalTraining Hub 5. A minimum of three face-to-face training workshops delivered to current and future prawnfarming workforce participants and training providers. Read moreRead less
Seafood CRC: Seafood Trade And Market Access Portal
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$95,950.69
Summary
The project seeks to address a core need of Australian Seafood CRC participants for timely, simple access to international residue and contaminant standards, export certification requirements, tariff and customs information to support export activities. Currently this information does not exist in an easily accessible, simple format to inform industry of its technical market access needs.
For example, as a consequence of the melamine issue in China affecting dairy products Australian aq ....The project seeks to address a core need of Australian Seafood CRC participants for timely, simple access to international residue and contaminant standards, export certification requirements, tariff and customs information to support export activities. Currently this information does not exist in an easily accessible, simple format to inform industry of its technical market access needs.
For example, as a consequence of the melamine issue in China affecting dairy products Australian aquaculture exporters are now being required to demonstrate proof of absence in products (and in feed fed) by overseas port of entry authorities. The rapid emergence of the melamine issue has seen standards hurriedly imposed in markets including China and Hong Kong for seafood products. Melamine is symbolic of many traceability issues which are now starting to confront the seafood industry.
Industry needs better preparedness to respond to international market access issues such as cadmium in prawns in the EU. SSA facilitated a position at the CODEX meeting in Norway on cadmium in crustacea. The strategy was thwarted by lack of access to detailed standards and related documents (on standards in other markets etc). Similarly for arsenic in shellfish.
Lead content of tuna being exported to Japan was brought into question following a violative reading being reported. Further investigation found that the portion (tail fin) of tuna submitted for analysis.
The emergence of Non Government Organisation endorsements such as Friend of the Sea, Marine Stewardship Council etc are now introducing effectively what are private label standards for products traded in multiple standards.
The CODEX Alimentarius process is growing and there is a need to inform national delegation and working groups of specific individual country circumstances quickly. The marine vibrio issue that emerged in mid 2008 in Japan was swiftly resolved as the PI had access to Japanese documents and standards. Objectives: 1. Establish a web portal service on trade rules of countries importing Australian seafood (existing and future potential markets) - information will include residue and contaminant standards, export certification requirements and tariff/customs information for international markets of importance to Australian Seafood CRC members. 2. Inform the Seafood Access Forum (SAF) on current and emerging trade issues affecting international trade of Australian seafood products. Read moreRead less
Building Precision Into The Australian Industry Live Mud Crab Grading Scheme (AILMCGS) Through Addressing Grading And Regional Anomalies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$122,405.00
Summary
Variability’s and inconsistencies in the application of the thumb pressure grading technique and regional and seasonal anomalies have led to some discontent with the Australian Industry Live Mud Crab Grading Scheme (AILMCGS). The AILMCGS provides a range of physical attributes, along with a subjective assessment of shell-hardness to provide consistency in live mud crab grading on a national scale. Consistent grading gives buyers and consumers a product that defines price paid. Concerns have ....Variability’s and inconsistencies in the application of the thumb pressure grading technique and regional and seasonal anomalies have led to some discontent with the Australian Industry Live Mud Crab Grading Scheme (AILMCGS). The AILMCGS provides a range of physical attributes, along with a subjective assessment of shell-hardness to provide consistency in live mud crab grading on a national scale. Consistent grading gives buyers and consumers a product that defines price paid. Concerns have been raised that incorrect application of the scheme can be used to manipulate price at various stages of the supply chain. Due to variables of lifecycle, seasonality, regionality, habitat, individual grader and grading techniques, it can never be a 100% guarantee of meat content associated with the given grade. It is implicit to the scheme to apply pressure in a precise and readily reproducible way to minimise variations and damage to and loss of product. There has long been a widespread call from industry, including from members that are both satisfied and disgruntled with the current scheme, to have an objective method to determine crab quality. This relies on clear and precise testing protocols. The realities of the operation of this industry are that the use of hand testing is the ‘tool’ of choice and practicality at this stage. Developing a science-supported assessment technique will standardise grading and allow for any seasonal and/or regional anomalies to be addressed. Ultimately, there is a need for a cost effective, practical on-board objective tool to provide assured grading standards.
Objectives: 1. attain a defined and precise assessment method of shell hardness using the current Australian Industry Live Mud Crab Grading Scheme (AILMCGS) across whole of industry 2. identify objective technologies and/or develop methodologies to support grading assessment within the AILMCGS 3. substantiate seasonal and/or regional grading anomalies within the AILMCGS and explore strategies to address them 4. increase profitability across industry through equity of grading practices and reduced product down grades and wastage Read moreRead less
Giant Crab Enhanced Data Collection - Innovative Approaches To Enhance Data Collection In The Victorian, South Australian And Tasmanian Giant Crab Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$325,241.00
Summary
Giant Crabs are a long, lived, slow reproducing xanthoid crab distributed from southern Western Australia to central New South Wales that are considered to be a single stock across southern Australia.
The giant crab fishery (GCF) across southern Australia has a small tonnage of large, individually valuable animals. Despite the implementation of harvest strategies and management plans guiding the setting of conservative TACC’s, declining trends are evident across the shared Southern Aus ....Giant Crabs are a long, lived, slow reproducing xanthoid crab distributed from southern Western Australia to central New South Wales that are considered to be a single stock across southern Australia.
The giant crab fishery (GCF) across southern Australia has a small tonnage of large, individually valuable animals. Despite the implementation of harvest strategies and management plans guiding the setting of conservative TACC’s, declining trends are evident across the shared Southern Australian resource.
The fishery has had ongoing problems collecting quality stock assessment data, leading to uncertainty in the assessment and management. Owing to the size of the fishery, and the remote nature of the fishing operations, assessments now rely on fisher dependant catch rate data with an inherent high level of volatility due to the small number of operators.
Attempts to improve the collection of fishery data over the years have been challenging, in particular for fisher-based collection of length-frequency data from volunteer measuring programs.
Innovative data collection methods for small scale fisheries such as the GCF are required to improve the monitoring of stock status of this important commercial fishery and enhance long-term sustainability of the Giant Crab resource.
A length based model has previously been developed and was designed to integrate assessments across the jurisdictions. The model for giant crab and was being used for South Australia and Tasmania but was not applied to Victoria due to data limitations. In recent years the modelling has discontinued in SA and Tas because of insufficient length frequency data, which compounded uncertainty present due to weak growth data. The lack of length data in previous years was the critical change that has forced the model to be discontinued. So our ability to understand changes in the stock has become weakest at precisely the period in the history of the fishery when information is most needed. This project is designed specifically in response to this need to address the lack of data through development of an efficient method to collect LF information, with minimal burden on fishers to improve accuracy of stock assessments.
Objectives: 1. Develop effective low-cost data collection method specific to Giant Crab 2. Trial and refine new data collection method 3. Analysis of fishery-independent biological data and investigation of usability to enhance assessment of Victorian, Tasmanian and South Australian giant crab fisheries Read moreRead less
Interactive And Updatable Maps Of Queensland’s Key Fishing Areas, Closed Waters And Port And Marina Infrastructure, Documenting The Timing And Basis For Fishing Closures
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$130,000.00
Summary
There is a need for fisheries data on catch/effort across all fisheries to be centralised and visualised. Closures that restrict access to fish resources, particularly fishing hot spots, need to be explained. Fishery data for Queensland tends to be unavailable to the public and when accessed it is fishery-specific. For the public, the lack of available data on fishing distribution and limits to access has led to uninformed debate that erodes the social licence of fishing, particularly commerc ....There is a need for fisheries data on catch/effort across all fisheries to be centralised and visualised. Closures that restrict access to fish resources, particularly fishing hot spots, need to be explained. Fishery data for Queensland tends to be unavailable to the public and when accessed it is fishery-specific. For the public, the lack of available data on fishing distribution and limits to access has led to uninformed debate that erodes the social licence of fishing, particularly commercial fishing because it is assumed Industry is unregulated and protective measures are not in place.
Visualization and metadata information will centralize and make available Queensland-wide spatial data. Furthermore, there is a need for detailed background information to enhance the value of these data to researchers and public users: linked to provide historical perspective on the implementation of each Queensland closure and the sequence of change. For this initiative to succeed, we emphasise public access to all users.
In 2014, this project would be cost effective as it would integrate into an existing database: the CSIRO Australian Marine Resource Spatial Management Atlas. The Atlas will accumulate an Australia-wide coverage of marine spatial management and provide free infrastructure for a detailed state-orientated initiative.
A repository for these data will enable spatial visualisation and analysis of key data (Kitsiou et al. 2002, Rodriguez et al. 2009). This would be useful for mediating the impact of infrastructure placement in locations adjacent to high fishing effort and areas closed to fishing. Future researchers will use the data via GIS and spatial analyses to consider alternative spatial management options, test specific scientific hypotheses and evaluate performance of current management. Cumulatively, the creation or expansion of port facilities (for example) potentially affects the distribution of fishing effort along sections of the Queensland coast. Objectives: 1. Research, accumulate and place in a central geoserver database all publically available spatial data on fishing catch and/or effort for major fisheries or fish species in Queensland waters. 2. Research, accumulate and place in a database all publically available historical information on fishing closures in Queensland waters or adjacent Commonwealth waters: why the closure was implemented and the sequence of any changes to the closure. 3. Research, accumulate and place in a central geoserver database publically available spatial data on regulation and use of the marine environment; in particular State and Commonwealth marine parks, aquaculture zones, ports and marinas. 4. Provide up-to-date spatial data that is readily available to the general public, and allows quantitative spatial analysis and facilitates resource planning, around the cumulative effect of spatial management on access to high-profile fishing areas along the Queensland coast. Read moreRead less