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The Legal Framework for International Cooperation in Maritime Enforcement Activities. The Project will analyse the gaps in the international framework to achieve cooperation in maritime enforcement and make recommendations for improvements to existing legislative arrangements to facilitate successful combat of international maritime criminal activity.The Project is timely because it addresses some long-standing national requirements to improve Australia's ability to adequately enforce its sovere ....The Legal Framework for International Cooperation in Maritime Enforcement Activities. The Project will analyse the gaps in the international framework to achieve cooperation in maritime enforcement and make recommendations for improvements to existing legislative arrangements to facilitate successful combat of international maritime criminal activity.The Project is timely because it addresses some long-standing national requirements to improve Australia's ability to adequately enforce its sovereign rights throughout its maritime zones of jurisdiction. The issues involved have taken on a greater contemporary significance in light of recent events, including the surge in illegal people smuggling into Australia, increased illegal fishing activity in Australia's Southern Ocean exclusive economic zone by highly organized criminal syndicates and heightened tensions with regard to maritime terrorism.
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SCRC: Compositional Profiles Of Australian Seafood- Strategic Analysis And Method Development.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
The consultaive process with the CRC end-users identified a need for accurate, consistent and scientifically sound baseline compositional data of commercially traded seafood species. This information can be used to substantiate product label claims, including nutrition panel information and health claims; to promote the benefits of seafood and seafood consumption as part of a balanced diet, to inform dietary modelling activities and nutrition calculations, to gain and maintaining market access, ....The consultaive process with the CRC end-users identified a need for accurate, consistent and scientifically sound baseline compositional data of commercially traded seafood species. This information can be used to substantiate product label claims, including nutrition panel information and health claims; to promote the benefits of seafood and seafood consumption as part of a balanced diet, to inform dietary modelling activities and nutrition calculations, to gain and maintaining market access, to respond to bad publicity and to benchmark production processes.
In order to meet this identified need for reliable compositional data, industry participants have also identified an increasing need to have access to an expanded capacity of certified analysis. Phase 1 of the compositional profiles program will result in a strategic assessment of analytical capacity within the Seafood CRC and identify and prioritise methodology not currently available but required to meet current and emerging Australian seafood industry requirements for nutritional and compositional analyses. These certified methods can then be developed as part of this project, resulting in and meeting the need for an expanded capacity for the industry.
The Chemistry Centre as the oldest NATA accredited laboratory in Australia and the holder of widest NATA certified capacity of tests for food analysis in Australia is well placed to add seafood specific analytes to its capacity. Investment in establishment and expansion of seafood analytical capacity using the centre's existing infrastructure and diverse highly technical instrument base will expand Australian capacity in this key area for at least the next twenty years, leading to a long term efficient and competent resource for industry and academic research and development.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354798
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Interdisciplinary Network for Aquatic Animal Health. The value of Australian fisheries and aquaculture is increasing significantly and, whilst this has resulted in an increase in R&D spending in the area, stifled collaboration amongst isolated scientists sometimes results in slow research progress. This network will enhance research on aquatic animal health. Our main aim is to provide a stimulating environment, encourage collaboration and ensure fast flow of interdisciplinary information between ....Interdisciplinary Network for Aquatic Animal Health. The value of Australian fisheries and aquaculture is increasing significantly and, whilst this has resulted in an increase in R&D spending in the area, stifled collaboration amongst isolated scientists sometimes results in slow research progress. This network will enhance research on aquatic animal health. Our main aim is to provide a stimulating environment, encourage collaboration and ensure fast flow of interdisciplinary information between researchers. We will adapt methods and technologies from medical research and other disciplines to increase our understanding of aquatic animal health and at the same time ensure that our results are applied in other disciplines.Read moreRead less
Research To Support The Development Of A Tasmanian Sardine Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$447,000.00
Summary
This project is needed to facilitate the development of a Tasmanian Sardine Fishery. To date, information available on the South-eastern Sardine stock has been cobbled together from surveys targeting other species (i.e., Jack Mackerel) that did not cover the entire spawning area of Sardine. This project will address this knowledge gap by providing robust information about the size, distribution and potential productivity of the South-eastern Sardine stock that is needed by NRE Tas to develop man ....This project is needed to facilitate the development of a Tasmanian Sardine Fishery. To date, information available on the South-eastern Sardine stock has been cobbled together from surveys targeting other species (i.e., Jack Mackerel) that did not cover the entire spawning area of Sardine. This project will address this knowledge gap by providing robust information about the size, distribution and potential productivity of the South-eastern Sardine stock that is needed by NRE Tas to develop management arrangements for the new fishery. The FRDC-funded component of this project (Attachment 1, Figure 1) is designed to complement and utilize data from a concurrent AFMA-funded survey of Jack Mackerel that covers the eastern component of the South-eastern Sardine stock (Attachment 2). This proposal was developed at the request of NRE Tas and has been endorsed by SPF RAG (Attachment 1). The methods that will be used in the project are consistent with those that have been used to underpin the development and management of the SASF (Ward et al. 2021a; Grammer and Ivey 2022; Grammer et al. 2021) and SPF (e.g. Grammer et al 2022a, b; Ward et al. 2020, 2021c). Objectives: 1. To investigate the size, distribution and potential productivity of the South-eastern stock of Australian Sardine. 2. To provide advice to the Department of Natural Resources & Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) to inform the establishment of management arrangements for the new Tasmanian Sardine Fishery. Read moreRead less
DNA Markers And Genetic Stock Structure In Commercial Species Of Penaeid Prawns In The East Coast Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$64,666.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Assess the utility of a range of DNA techniques for examining genetic variation within species of penaeid prawn 2. Refine those techniques for examining east coast parwn stocks 3. Describe the genetic stock structure of two commercial species (Penaeus esculantus and P. plebejus) throughout their east coast distribution 4. Determine whether genetically distinct stocks of these species exist in the east coast fishery and, if so, locate the boundaries between su ....Objectives: 1. Assess the utility of a range of DNA techniques for examining genetic variation within species of penaeid prawn 2. Refine those techniques for examining east coast parwn stocks 3. Describe the genetic stock structure of two commercial species (Penaeus esculantus and P. plebejus) throughout their east coast distribution 4. Determine whether genetically distinct stocks of these species exist in the east coast fishery and, if so, locate the boundaries between such stocks 5. Quantify the potential rates of effective prawn migration between regions for each species 6. Provide specific advice on the management implications of the results Read moreRead less
Alternative Management Strategies For The Western Rock Lobster
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Develop a mathematical model of the western rock lobster fishery that integrates the biological & socio-economic aspects. 2. Assess alternative management strategies for the fishery in Western Australia
Design Of A Fishery Independent Longline Survey For Chondrichthyans In Northern Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$82,125.00
Summary
Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) from commercial logbooks is often used as an index of abundance in stock assessments. However, the use of commercial CPUE as an indicator of relative abundance can be problematic as the underlying assumption that commercial catch rates change linearly with abundance is often compromised. Although some factors that are reported in logbooks can be used to standardise CPUE, there are other sources of variation including: • Modified fishing practices to target or ....Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) from commercial logbooks is often used as an index of abundance in stock assessments. However, the use of commercial CPUE as an indicator of relative abundance can be problematic as the underlying assumption that commercial catch rates change linearly with abundance is often compromised. Although some factors that are reported in logbooks can be used to standardise CPUE, there are other sources of variation including: • Modified fishing practices to target or avoid species to suit quota availability, meet market demands, or to comply with management arrangements. • Differences in selectivity of fishing gear and use of bycatch-reduction devices. • The combined impacts of multiple management restrictions on a fishery. For example, gillnet operations in what was once the Northern Territory’s Shark Fishery now almost exclusively target Grey Mackerel. This change in practice has resulted in an index that is losing its relevance in assessing shark species.
Over 140 elasmobranchs are listed on CITES Appendix II, with the likely-hood that more species will be added in the future. Of the 11,082t of shark landed by the fishery since 2000, CITES listed Hammerheads comprise 17.25% of the shark catch. Other sharks caught by the fishery that were recently added to CITES Appendix II at the Nineteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties Panama City (Panama), 14 – 25 November 2022 include: Grey Reef Shark, Dusky Whaler, Sandbar Shark, Lemon Shark, Whitecheek shark and all other members of the family Carcharhinidae (which include the Blacktip Shark complex that is the main shark species caught by the fishery - 4688t or 42% since 2000). These species will require a positive Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) and CITES export permit in order to be exported following the 12-month delay in implementation (i.e., December 2023). The fishery also catches Threatened, Endangered and Protected Elasmobranchs, some of which are also CITES listed.
Gillnet and longline effort has decreased since 2000 and there is significant latent effort in the fishery. There is a desire to utilise this latent effort, however, the CITES listing of the majority of sharks species caught in the fishery will increase scrutiny from State, Commonwealth and International environmental agencies, as well as NGOs. This heightened scrutiny will provide greater impetus to demonstrate that shark stocks are at sustainable levels and that fishing is being undertaken sustainably.
There is a strong need for independent survey methods to gain a better understanding of the abundance patterns of shark species over time that can contribute to the development of appropriate management of these species that meets environmental, fisheries, and conservation needs.
Surveying Northern Australia using longlining methods would provide a fishery independent estimate of relative abundance for sharks that would improve economic security and public confidence in sustainability. However, to make an informed decision of the feasibility of a survey a full understanding of the scope of work and cost required is needed. There is a need to look at existing long line surveys undertaken worldwide (e.g. in the USA and Bahamas), to understanding the methods undertaken and the time period required to develop accurate abundance estimates.
Objectives: 1. Analysis of commercial logbook data to inform fishery independent survey design 2. Conduct a literature review to determine potential design of longline fishery independent survey 3. Hold a workshop to discuss options for a NT shark longline survey 4. Develop final design and costs for a NT shark longline survey Read moreRead less
Developing A Guidance Document For Whichfish Risk Assessment
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$8,400.00
Summary
Whichfish.com.au is the FRDC B2B portal which provides the results of the risk assessments of key Australian commercial species as well as those species which have are certified under a GSSI recognised scheme. It is important that external assessors apply and interpret information in a consistent way. This requires a supporting document, a Guidance Document, to guide assessors on how to interpret the risk assessment criteria, the evidence to be used and on scoring. This Guidance will b ....Whichfish.com.au is the FRDC B2B portal which provides the results of the risk assessments of key Australian commercial species as well as those species which have are certified under a GSSI recognised scheme. It is important that external assessors apply and interpret information in a consistent way. This requires a supporting document, a Guidance Document, to guide assessors on how to interpret the risk assessment criteria, the evidence to be used and on scoring. This Guidance will be used for both Australian species assessments (Whichfish.com.au) and New Zealand(openseas.org.nz). This project seeks to develop that guidance document.
Following this project, any species undergoing risk assessments will have outcomes reported on the respective ANZ websites to ensure full transparency.
Objectives: 1. Prepare a guidance document to enable consistent application of Whichfish risk assessment framework. Read moreRead less
A Quantitative Analysis of Prawn Harvesting Strategies. Prawn fisheries in NSW are undergoing major changes in their management. This unusual PhD project will design and test new decision-rules and strategies for fishery managers that are based upon pragmatic quantities of catch-per-unit-effort, prawn size, and river temperature and discharge. The performance of rules and strategies will be measured to ensure that they generate satisfactory outcomes for the prawn resources and the people that de ....A Quantitative Analysis of Prawn Harvesting Strategies. Prawn fisheries in NSW are undergoing major changes in their management. This unusual PhD project will design and test new decision-rules and strategies for fishery managers that are based upon pragmatic quantities of catch-per-unit-effort, prawn size, and river temperature and discharge. The performance of rules and strategies will be measured to ensure that they generate satisfactory outcomes for the prawn resources and the people that depend upon them. A major outcome will be precautionary or risk-averse decision-rules and strategies that are robust to the uncertainties that exist in prawn fisheries.Read moreRead less
This project is needed to reduce the impact of prawn trawling on sea-snake populations both in Australia and overseas; the technology developed has been proven to reduce the landings of sea-snakes by 80%, however, it has not been properly assessed in terms of why it is so effective and whether sea-snakes escaping are healthy and likely to survive. This project attends to this need. The proposed project activity also includes a refinement phase whereby observations made during the Assessment sea- ....This project is needed to reduce the impact of prawn trawling on sea-snake populations both in Australia and overseas; the technology developed has been proven to reduce the landings of sea-snakes by 80%, however, it has not been properly assessed in terms of why it is so effective and whether sea-snakes escaping are healthy and likely to survive. This project attends to this need. The proposed project activity also includes a refinement phase whereby observations made during the Assessment sea-trials phase will be utilised to improve its performance prior to starting the Extension phase across several Australian prawn fisheries.
Successful reduction in sea-snake landings, as well as other small/moderate sized finfish bycatch, will help meet the sustainable fisheries priority.
Objectives: 1. Comprehensively assess the bycatch reduction performance of the Sea-snake TED/BRD including coverage of when, where, and how sea-snake escape, and what other species are likely to benefit the most from its use. 2. Utilise both the existing Sea Harvest data (e.g., from 2023) and the assessment data from Objective 1 activity, to refine the Sea-snake TED/BRD, noting that these refinements may extend beyond improving exclusion rates and retention rates (prawn), to making the trawl gear fish better and ‘cleaner’. 3. Develop clear uptake guidelines to enable the Sea-snake TED/BRD to be successfully introduced into other prawn fisheries where variance in net design, TED/BRD design, and operations, may, if ignored, compromise its performance. Read moreRead less