To update assessment reports on Whichfish.com to keep the site current for users. Objectives: 1. 1. Re-organise existing report format in line with the new methodology 2. 2. Update relevant information for the 20 species on Whichfish 3. 3. Reassess risk scores and future outlook sections using draft methodology 4. 4. Provide written feedback about any issues and/or challenges encountered in applying the draft risk assessment which will be incorporated into a guid ....To update assessment reports on Whichfish.com to keep the site current for users. Objectives: 1. 1. Re-organise existing report format in line with the new methodology 2. 2. Update relevant information for the 20 species on Whichfish 3. 3. Reassess risk scores and future outlook sections using draft methodology 4. 4. Provide written feedback about any issues and/or challenges encountered in applying the draft risk assessment which will be incorporated into a guidance document for future assessors and suggestions to improve risk assessment criteria. Read moreRead less
Investigating Aetiology And Risk Factors Of Ocular Lesions And Associated Mortality In Ranched Southern Bluefin Tuna
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$200,238.00
Summary
This year (2017), some of the ranching operations reported the increased cumulative mortality. In some severe cases, up to 90% of collected mortalities present some degree of unilateral or bilateral ocular damage ranging from corneal cloudiness, with or without ulcers, up to complete perforation. The anecdotal report of eye lesions has progressively increased since the 2015 season without a definitive cause being identified. Previous reports (Rough et al., 1999; Rough, 2000; Hayward et al., 2007 ....This year (2017), some of the ranching operations reported the increased cumulative mortality. In some severe cases, up to 90% of collected mortalities present some degree of unilateral or bilateral ocular damage ranging from corneal cloudiness, with or without ulcers, up to complete perforation. The anecdotal report of eye lesions has progressively increased since the 2015 season without a definitive cause being identified. Previous reports (Rough et al., 1999; Rough, 2000; Hayward et al., 2007; Hayward et al., 2008a; Hayward et al., 2008b; Hayward et al., 2009; Hayward et al., 2010; Hayward et al., 2011, including FRDC projects No 2003/225 and 2008/228, Nowak et al., 2007; Nowak et al., 2012) identified sea lice of the genus Caligus spp. as a differential cause of eye lesions in SBT. The copepod ectoparasite is thought to damage the eyes by feeding on the cornea epithelium of infested SBT. Lesions worsen when fish flash against the cage’s net to dislodge the itchy copepods. Partial or full vision loss is suspected to impair the capacity of the fish to compete for feed and to result, with time, in the death of affected fish. At this stage, it is unclear: 1 - what is the distribution of the observed increased mortality across the industry; 2 - what is the occurrence and severity of eye lesions across the industry; 3 - if the observed increased mortality is entirely attributable to eye lesions; 4 - if eye lesions are solely caused by C. chiastos or if other causes are involved; 5 - if potential tow-, cage-, and fish-level risk factors are associated with the occurrence of eye lesions and its cause(s). Objectives: 1. Estimate the frequency and distribution of increased mortality across the industry. 2. Describe the pathology and severity of eye lesions and estimate the frequency and distribution of these lesions across the industry. 3. Investigate potential tow-, farm-, and fish-level risk factors associated with increased mortality and eye lesion occurrence. 4. Investigate the putative role of sealice in causing this episode of eye lesions. Read moreRead less
Cumulative Impact Risk Assessment Tool For Aquaculture In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$172,999.00
Summary
Difficulties with current legislation in Australia at State and Federal level make it challenging for marine farms to protect themselves, but equally for the community to have faith that aquaculture development is not harming the marine environment. An example from Tasmania is the recent contamination of Macquarie Harbour, whereby tailings from Copper Mines Tasmania (CMT) dam in Queenstown entered the harbour and undoubtedly caused environmental harm to salmon and other species. Because CMT and ....Difficulties with current legislation in Australia at State and Federal level make it challenging for marine farms to protect themselves, but equally for the community to have faith that aquaculture development is not harming the marine environment. An example from Tasmania is the recent contamination of Macquarie Harbour, whereby tailings from Copper Mines Tasmania (CMT) dam in Queenstown entered the harbour and undoubtedly caused environmental harm to salmon and other species. Because CMT and salmon farmers operate under different Acts CMT was not responsible for the incident but rather the government. Consequently, no investigation or clean-up ensued.
Additionally, the scope of statutory tools, such as EIS under the Tasmanian Marine Farm Planning Act 1995, is not regional and does not consider the compound interactions of and on production activities. A good example is the recent Storm Bay salmon farming expansion; while the EPBC listed handfish species in Tasmania were listed in the marine farming development plan, with a brief context, management of these species was not considered in the EIS because that process only includes direct impact of the lease position. Arguably, cumulative impacts from all development in the area will have varying impacts on the species, impacts which are not being considered under current government legislation, but are potentially the source of public ire.
For aquaculture to pursue sustainable efforts environmentally, economically and socially in the increasingly crowded near shore space requires proactive planning and transparency that is not currently possible given existing assessment tools. In particular, assessment of cumulative impacts must be addressed. Cumulative impact assessments (CIA) are gaining momentum across multiple industries due to a recognised need to apply them in the pursuit of sustainable management. CIAs are being undertaken with the protection of marines resources at front of mind, but so far there has been little consideration of aquaculture. An approach to CIA that makes aquaculture the centre point is required if we are to consider its impacts or conversely, its effectiveness. Objectives: 1. Identify the risks of multiple actions or impacts on the environment and social values of a marine production matrix in Australian waters. In order to do this a comprehensive literature review is required to develop the CIA approach and ensure the methods and gaps in aquaculture CIA are addressed to meet the needs of Australian aquaculture, the community and the consumer. 2. Develop a risk assessment tool that can be utilised by the public realm (governments at all levels, NFPS, community) to better understand the complexities of regional marine waters and user impacts to maximise current and future economic, social and environmental benefits. To do this requires identification of valued environmental and social components first, whereby such components are characterised, from this a framework is build on each valued component. 3. Assess aquaculture in the context of broader social and environmental issues within the marine production matrix, by performing an aquaculture specific cumulative impacts assessment for regional Australia Read moreRead less
Develop A Strong Current Warning System And Inform Knowledge Of The Nearshore Current Regime Influencing The Western Rock Lobster Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$199,000.00
Summary
By combining this greater coverage with information derived from commercial fishers (e.g. days when gear is drowned or lost to determine key current velocities) a purpose built webapp can be developed, hosted on an existing service, which allows fishers to asses the risks posed by ocean currents to their fishing operation before they set their gear. This would also allow for fishers to predict days when drowned gear may resurface and therefore the fishing operation may continue.
In addi ....By combining this greater coverage with information derived from commercial fishers (e.g. days when gear is drowned or lost to determine key current velocities) a purpose built webapp can be developed, hosted on an existing service, which allows fishers to asses the risks posed by ocean currents to their fishing operation before they set their gear. This would also allow for fishers to predict days when drowned gear may resurface and therefore the fishing operation may continue.
In addition to this helping the fishing operation, greater current modelling coverage over this part of the fishery will allow for the fine-scale assessment of the links between water movement and puerulus settlement. As part of FRDC project “2016-260 WRL IPA: assess causes and implications of anomalous low lobster catch rates in the shallow water areas near the centre of the Western Rock Lobster fishery” 40 additional puerulus collectors will be added to the current DOF monitoring program which will provide extensive coverage of settlement rates between Seven Mile, Dongara and Jurien Bay.
Objectives: 1. Establish additional coastal radar station 2. Establish a predictive warning system for ocean conditions that can be used by the WRL fishery to improve efficiency 3. Assess the relationship between water circulation and puerulus settlement rates Read moreRead less
Understanding and overcoming confusion in consumer financial decisions. This project aims to develop consumer-centred approaches to reducing the harmful effects of confusion in financial decisions by studying superannuation investment and home loan decisions where confused choices are individually and collectively costly. The project intends to develop comprehensive models to capture the full complexity of financial products and the diverse preferences and capability of consumers, then to use ad ....Understanding and overcoming confusion in consumer financial decisions. This project aims to develop consumer-centred approaches to reducing the harmful effects of confusion in financial decisions by studying superannuation investment and home loan decisions where confused choices are individually and collectively costly. The project intends to develop comprehensive models to capture the full complexity of financial products and the diverse preferences and capability of consumers, then to use advanced statistical methods to estimate the benefits of clearer decision-making. The outcomes of this project includes new models of complex financial decisions, and a better understanding of where confusion arises and the effects it may have. Decreased confusion will raise financial well-being and help communities become more resilient to financial shocks.Read moreRead less
Presentation At World Congress Of Aquaculture And Fisheries (Xiamen, China) On Biosecurity And Aquatic Animal Health
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
I have been asked to Chair the Session and provide a presentation to the WCAF Conference during session 2-4: Biosecurity and Aquatic Animal Health, where I will talk about shared responsibility, cost sharing and collaborative responses with the Australian Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Management Framework and take part in a panel session. My presentation will include an overview of the AAH and Biosecurity management system and the the development of the Aquatic Deed (and more importantly ....I have been asked to Chair the Session and provide a presentation to the WCAF Conference during session 2-4: Biosecurity and Aquatic Animal Health, where I will talk about shared responsibility, cost sharing and collaborative responses with the Australian Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Management Framework and take part in a panel session. My presentation will include an overview of the AAH and Biosecurity management system and the the development of the Aquatic Deed (and more importantly the biosecurity /Aquatic animal health policy components that come directly from it as front end components of the Deed) as a one of a kind innovation that puts Australia on the map with respect to Aquatic EAD response management as well as Aquatic EAD avoidance and minimisation.
In addition to a significant Biosecurity and Aquatic Animal Health component, WCAF also features sessions on Aquatic Animal Nutrition, Disease & Health Management, there are some topics of interest including Aquaculture Reproduction & Breeding Technology (Resilience to The Environmental Variability And Sustainability), Commercialisation & Economics, Investment, Insurance of Aquaculture, Sustainable Culture and Development of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Smart Fisheries, and Culture, Seafood, and Global Change: Anthropological Perspectives on Food Habits and Aquatic Food Resources in a Time of Increasing Demographic and Climate Change Impacts. This are very relevant with respect to Aquaculture development in Australia and it would be beneficial to hear these presentations.
Objectives: 1. Presentation to WCAF (AAH and Biosecurity Session on Day 2): To elucidate and provide an update on developments in Australian Biosecurity and Aquatic Animal Health Policy Development 2. Take part in and Industry Panel on Day 1 and Chair the AAH and Biosecurity Session on Day 2: Better understand global biosecurity, aquatic animal health, nutrition, breeding and environmental performance and global aquaculture health policy development in a global context 3. Attendance at WCAF: To get a better understanding of global biosecurity, aquatic animal health, nutrition, breeding and environmental performance and global aquaculture health policy development 4. To be part of an Australian presence at a large Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum, and engage with other delegates with a view to facilitate improved cooperation/collaboration. And learn about AAH and Biosecurity Policy around the World Read moreRead less
SeSAFE – Delivering Industry Safety Through Electronic Learning
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$434,706.31
Summary
The SeSAFE project has to date focused on raising safety awareness and the development/delivery of safety training modules. This is a response to current inadequacies in safety training in the fishing and aquaculture industry.
It is now timely for SeSAFE to address other inadequacies in safety training by:
• Filling the gap that allows new crew to step foot on a dangerous work platform before receiving any safety training • Providing consistent safety training content to ....The SeSAFE project has to date focused on raising safety awareness and the development/delivery of safety training modules. This is a response to current inadequacies in safety training in the fishing and aquaculture industry.
It is now timely for SeSAFE to address other inadequacies in safety training by:
• Filling the gap that allows new crew to step foot on a dangerous work platform before receiving any safety training • Providing consistent safety training content to all fishers nationwide • Promoting SeSAFE as the industry benchmark in pre-sea safety training, that also serves to demonstrate achievement towards duty-of-care requirements • Developing a standard of achievement and certificate of completion, for use as a recognised industry standard and potential requirement for employment at sea • Overcoming jurisdictional inconsistencies and inadequacies in safety training • Developing fishery-specific modules for multiple fisheries, to complement onboard safety inductions • Extending SeSAFE training to seafood processors, fishery observers, and others • Establishing a secure funding base to ensure persistent, long-term delivery of SeSAFE training as well as a permanent hosting organisation, e.g. Seafood Industry Australia.
There is also a need to continue existing SeSAFE activities because:
• Many fishers and others are anticipating recurrent safety training • SeSAFE is one of the few sources of fishery-specific safety training, such as safe handling of fishing gear • It will leverage progress and momentum toward improved safety performance, which may otherwise be foregone • Several agencies, e.g. the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, are poised to use SeSAFE to provide safety training • SeSAFE training means individuals can avoid group training sessions and reduce the risk of Covid 19 infection.
SeSAFE training responds to Objective 3 of FRDC’s National RD&E Seafood Industry Safety Initiative Strategic Plan 2019/21, 'Increase uptake by industry of workplace safety and safety training programs and education tools', by serving the education component of the Strategic Plan.
Objectives: 1. INFORM, via an independent review, the design and application of user-pay funding models in Australian primary industries, the potential for a similar model to be introduced by SeSAFE in the fishing and aquaculture industry, and steps recommended to realise this outcome. 2. TRANSITION to a user-pays funding model to perpetuate the cost-effective delivery of SeSAFE training, based on the outcome of the independent review, and to Seafood Industry Australia or other party hosting the SeSAFE program at the conclusion of this project. 3. RETAIN delivery of SeSAFE training to existing users in the Australian fishing and aquaculture industry. 4. EXPAND the number of industry bodies, fishing and aquaculture companies, independent fishers and aquaculture workers, processors, observers, researchers, and others utilising SeSAFE training on a recurrent basis. 5. EXPAND the number of fishery-specific modules beyond those already developed for the ACPF, including completion of fishery-specific modules for the Western Rock Lobster Council and weather forecasting modules for the Bureau of Meteorology. 6. PROMOTE SeSAFE as the industry benchmark in pre-sea safety training to meet duty of care requirements. 7. INCENTIVISE the use of SeSAFE training, including through formal recognition of SeSAFE training by AMSA and others, certification, and potential rebate by insurance agencies. Read moreRead less
Development And Evaluation Of Multi-species Harvest Strategies In The SESSF
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$464,973.00
Summary
The current HSP has biomass target reference points. The problem however, is that research has shown that in multi-species fisheries with technical interactions (i.e. the mixture of different species catches with the same gear) and ecosystem interactions (e.g. competition or predation), it is not possible to maintain all species at the same target level, and there is no empirical basis to assume biomass of non-target species will always be below or at BMEY. In fact, it is likely that the biomas ....The current HSP has biomass target reference points. The problem however, is that research has shown that in multi-species fisheries with technical interactions (i.e. the mixture of different species catches with the same gear) and ecosystem interactions (e.g. competition or predation), it is not possible to maintain all species at the same target level, and there is no empirical basis to assume biomass of non-target species will always be below or at BMEY. In fact, it is likely that the biomass of some of these species will be greater than BMEY as well as below it. This was demonstrated for the SESSF by Smith et al (2107).
The new CHSP recognises that net economic returns for multi-species fisheries may be maximised by including differential targets in harvest strategies that are always above BLIM, but greater or lower than BMEY. In addition, recent recommendations by the SESSF Monitoring and Assessment Research Project (SMARP) into monitoring and assessment options, including multi-year TAC decision frameworks, require simulation testing. Thus, there is a critical need to develop, evaluate and operationalise a fishery-wide harvest strategy with multiple and appropriate reference points, and multispecies decision rules. The question is what would a multi-species harvest strategy that covers an entire fishery or component of it, rather than a number of single species harvest strategies, look like.
We need to develop and operationalise a fishery-wide harvest strategy with multiple and appropriate reference points, and multispecies decision rules.
This will need to be implemented by June 2020, so there is an urgent need to design and evaluate a range of options from which to select a candidate harvest strategy. The aim of this project is to develop a fit-for-purpose harvest strategy in the SESSF that meets the intent of the policy, is cost effective and maximises net economic returns. Objectives: 1. To develop and evaluate multi-species harvest strategies, including reference points and decision rules. 2. To evaluate future monitoring and assessment options identified in the SESSF Monitoring and Assessment Research Project. 3. To develop a process and set of design principles for multi-species harvest strategies. Read moreRead less