Closing the loop: understanding the relationships between recreational fishing surveys, fishing regulations and fisheries management objectives. The project aims to improve the management of recreational fisheries in Australia by using model-based evaluations to understand the effects of recreational fishing regulations and survey design on the realisation and assessment of fisheries management objectives.
To Develop The Marine Discovery Centres Australia Network And Promote FRDC Principles
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$181,683.30
Summary
Interactive models have been an enormous success at the Star of the Sea MDC. Experience has shown that these interactive models are the most valuable asset when promoting concepts to visitors.
Vicki Spruill, SeaWeb’s executive director, recently highlighted at Melbourne's National Coast-to-Coast Conference that whilst there is an abundance of scientific knowledge there is a dearth of quality teaching and education about fisheries issues.
In addition the MDCA believe there is a ....Interactive models have been an enormous success at the Star of the Sea MDC. Experience has shown that these interactive models are the most valuable asset when promoting concepts to visitors.
Vicki Spruill, SeaWeb’s executive director, recently highlighted at Melbourne's National Coast-to-Coast Conference that whilst there is an abundance of scientific knowledge there is a dearth of quality teaching and education about fisheries issues.
In addition the MDCA believe there is a real need to promote FRDC principles to the community to develop an interactive that explores a theme/issue/concept that is common to marine environment regardless of where you are i.e. impact of poor water catchment management and what the fishing industry is about.
In addition there is a basic need for the MDCA to promote both the network and the educational opportunities it offers. An interactive website would provide a mechanism to do this as well allow for easier communication. It would also create a central point for website users looking for information about Marine Discovery Centres as well as individual Centres. Objectives: 1. More Australians will understand the benefits of by-catch reduction devices. 2. More Australians will understand the best methods to release fish. 3. More Australians will understand the benefits and the importance of the fishing industry. 4. The health benefits of seafood will be promoted. 5. More Australians will understand the significance of fishing experiences that people enjoy. 6. More Australians will understand the economic, environmental and social benefits arising from the fishing industry. 7. More Australians will understand the ways in which the fishing industry supports communities in rural and regional Australia. Read moreRead less
Citizen Science Guidelines In Recreational Fishing
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$98,840.00
Summary
Many aspects of marine systems, including diverse species, habitats, and environmental issues, need expansive research to better understand and manage sustainability of the fishing and aquaculture industry. Unfortunately, data collection is one of the most resource-intensive aspects of science and can hinder the progression of commodity-specific research and development (R&D). This project will develop best practice guidelines for the creation, execution, evaluation, and evolution of citizen sci ....Many aspects of marine systems, including diverse species, habitats, and environmental issues, need expansive research to better understand and manage sustainability of the fishing and aquaculture industry. Unfortunately, data collection is one of the most resource-intensive aspects of science and can hinder the progression of commodity-specific research and development (R&D). This project will develop best practice guidelines for the creation, execution, evaluation, and evolution of citizen science projects that specifically address research data collection in the Australian aquaculture industry, which will contribute to research outcomes that facilitate long term productivity and sustainability of the industry. For more than 50 years, formal citizen science programs have proven to be an effective way for communities to contribute to R&D by collecting scientific data that drives decision making and creates innovative solutions. This project involves a four-stage approach to enhancing R&D practices for recreational fishers, fisheries scientists, and fisheries managers by providing researchers with industry-specific information to design citizen science projects that actively engage recreational fishers. The approach provides flexibility and agility to ensure the project can achieve high quality deliverables, on time, and in budget: 1. Consultation with industry stakeholders to determine current barriers and opportunities to developing, implementing, evaluating, and evolving citizen science projects targeted at recreational fishers. 2. Desktop review and global “environmental scan” to best characterise citizen science programs, projects, and frameworks relevant to recreational fishing. 3. Development of researcher citizen science guidelines for recreational fishing that provides detailed information pertinent to industry challenges and opportunities. The guidelines will be led by the results of Stages 1 and 2, and will be intuitive, user-friendly and easily updated in the future. 4. Industry communication of the guidelines to ensure streamlined adoption by researchers and improved return on investment for this project. Strategies to amplify collaborative and sustainable citizen science opportunities identified during this project will enhance FRDC R&D outcomes 3 (a culture that is inclusive and forward thinking) and 5 (community trust, respect, and value). The guidelines will help build an environment where researchers work directly with recreational fishers, which will promote inclusivity with stakeholders, harness the wealth of local ecological expertise and foster a solution-driven culture throughout the supply chain.
Objectives: 1. Characterisation of citizen science programs, projects, and frameworks relevant to recreational fishing in Australia. 2. Facilitating the identification, design, and impact measurement of marine-based citizen science programs that are of benefit to recreational fishers in Australia. 3. Provision of guidelines to citizen science practitioners to optimise community engagement and outcomes in marine-based citizen science projects. Read moreRead less
Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation National Recreational Fishing Conference 2019
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$70,000.00
Summary
The 2012/2015 & 2017 National Recreational Fishing Conferences were highly successful, enabling the recreational fishing community to gather and discuss issues of national importance. These events also catalysed four initiatives to advance fishing in Australia: development of a charter for the sector, a national fish habitat rehabilitation plan, and renewed commitment to communicating social benefits of fishing, and delivering leadership development initiatives.
The value of regular fi ....The 2012/2015 & 2017 National Recreational Fishing Conferences were highly successful, enabling the recreational fishing community to gather and discuss issues of national importance. These events also catalysed four initiatives to advance fishing in Australia: development of a charter for the sector, a national fish habitat rehabilitation plan, and renewed commitment to communicating social benefits of fishing, and delivering leadership development initiatives.
The value of regular fishing sector conferences is recognised among the fishing community, and supported by FRDC, to facilitate continued progress, coordination and recognition of achievements. The next national event for the recreational fishing community is planned for 2019.
The primary aim of this event will be to engage the largest cross-section of Australia's recreational fishing community possible in discussing key issues of relevance to their sector, developing a shared vision for the future and agreeing upon strategic actions to pursue this vision. The 2019 event will be re-focused to more directly benefit grassroots recreational fishers, involving a new format, lower cost to participants, higher levels of involvement of well-known fishing personalities in the program, a focus on increased levels of participant interaction in discussions, and a series of events designed to be both informative and entertaining. The revised approach and program of this event will seek to deliver engagement of the broader recreational fishing community on a scale not previously achieved in Australia.
Objectives: 1. Deliver a National Recreational Fishing Conference which increases the level of meaningful engagement with the recreational fishing community in national issues of importance. 2. Engage with participants at the National Conference to identify priority actions to be progressed. 3. Acknowledgement of recreational fishing community achievements. 4. Publication of extension products from the event. Read moreRead less
Pathways For Recognising Recreational Fishing Considerations In Fisheries Management Frameworks
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$178,829.00
Summary
Recognising that harvest strategies are not particularly effective in meeting the needs of the recreational fishing sector, there is a need to identify the correct vehicle(s) for appropriately considering the objectives of the sector in management frameworks. This will require intensive engagement with stakeholders through national and State peak bodies and fishery managers to establish a shared understanding of the limitations of current fisheries management frameworks and promote innovation i ....Recognising that harvest strategies are not particularly effective in meeting the needs of the recreational fishing sector, there is a need to identify the correct vehicle(s) for appropriately considering the objectives of the sector in management frameworks. This will require intensive engagement with stakeholders through national and State peak bodies and fishery managers to establish a shared understanding of the limitations of current fisheries management frameworks and promote innovation in formulating alternative systems.
The need to develop a systems model for the recreational sector has been identified as critical to ensuring fisheries management frameworks effectively recognise recreational fishing considerations. The model would provide a framework for fisheries managers and recreational sector stakeholders to collaborate in designing and implementing the intensive consultation and technical processes necessary to ensure recreational fishing drivers are understood and information, data baselines and monitoring needs are agreed. Addressing this critical gap will enable the development of fishery management tools which are better able to achieve fishery management goals and are supported by all stakeholders.
This project will undertake intensive engagement with the recreational fishing sector and fisheries managers to build a consolidated understanding of the recreational sector and the values, goals and motivators of model identified segments within the fishery which will provide important inputs in fisheries management frameworks. It will examine the pre-conditions for recreational sector objective setting and design a systematic process to ensure objectives are rigorously formulated and effectively integrated into fisheries management plans and harvest strategies, with consideration of the needs of all resource users.
The key output will be a systems model which defines objective setting processes and outputs prior to the commencement of management planning processes. This will establish clear guideposts and criteria, from which managers and stakeholders can confidently progress to management plan and harvest strategy development in a responsible manner.
Objectives: 1. Critically analyse the effectiveness of contemporary fisheries management frameworks as vehicles for driving fishery management for returns to the broader/recreational community with consideration of all resource users. 2. Recommend any changes in current approaches that better recognise recreational fishing considerations in fisheries management frameworks. 3. Development of a model framework that defines systems and processes for adoption and delivery of recreational fishing objectives into management plans and harvest strategies with consideration of the cost of implementation including data collection. Read moreRead less
People Development Program: Enabling Productivity And Efficiency Gains In Australian Rock Lobster Fisheries – The 2011 Trans-Tasman 7th Rock Lobster Congress.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$23,880.99
Summary
Australian rock lobster fisheries constitute a range of the most economically valuable seafood industry components of the Australian economy. Despite a 16 per cent decrease in the volume of production the combined Australian lobster fisheries generated a landed value of AU$403.8 million in 2008-09 , ranking as the most economically valuable of the wild catch fisheries.
New Zealand rock lobster fisheries generated an estimated NZ$184 million in 2008/09 .
Australia and New Zea ....Australian rock lobster fisheries constitute a range of the most economically valuable seafood industry components of the Australian economy. Despite a 16 per cent decrease in the volume of production the combined Australian lobster fisheries generated a landed value of AU$403.8 million in 2008-09 , ranking as the most economically valuable of the wild catch fisheries.
New Zealand rock lobster fisheries generated an estimated NZ$184 million in 2008/09 .
Australia and New Zealand share a common species – cold water southern rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii – whilst Australia also produces western and tropical rock lobsters, Panulirus species, from temperate and warm waters in Western Australia and Queensland respectively.
As a consequence of the markedly different circumstances in the Australian and New Zealand lobster fisheries and the industries which are dependent upon them there has been increased interest from Australian industry participants and management agencies in the New Zealand research and management processes and outcomes.
The principal ‘architects’ of the 2011 trans-Tasman Congress are confident that the chosen theme of ‘productivity’ is one of sufficient scope to draw together the best available information and advice in regard to the complete product chain for rock lobsters.
The exchange of information, ideas and aspirations at the 2011 trans-Tasman 7th Rock Lobster Congress will streamline and accelerate stock rebuild initiatives and enable greater efficiency gains in terms of research and compliance spend across the various fisheries’ jurisdictions. Objectives: 1. Australian and New Zealand rock lobster industry participants who are better informed of the range of biological and economic options and opportunities which may arise as a consequence of ongoing information sharing and market coordination. 2. Enabling Australian and New Zealand lobster industry participants to gain a hands-on experience of harvest and stock monitoring technologies which can increase productivity; reduce operating costs; and improve sustainable utilisation. Read moreRead less
Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram: Mitigation Of Climate Change Effects On Salmon Broodstock: Effects Of Estrogen Therapy
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$54,000.00
Summary
Strategic R & D Plan This proposal fits within the Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram
As a result of FRDC project 2008/217 (The effect of temperature on reproductive development in maiden and repeat spawning Atlantic salmon: understanding the basis for improved egg quality and survival) and a series of earlier studies we know that:
The effect of elevated summer and autumn temperature in inhibiting reproduction in Tasmanian Atlantic salmon broodstock is consistent and potentiall ....Strategic R & D Plan This proposal fits within the Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram
As a result of FRDC project 2008/217 (The effect of temperature on reproductive development in maiden and repeat spawning Atlantic salmon: understanding the basis for improved egg quality and survival) and a series of earlier studies we know that:
The effect of elevated summer and autumn temperature in inhibiting reproduction in Tasmanian Atlantic salmon broodstock is consistent and potentially profound. Maidens (first spawning fish) and repeats are both affected but repeats are more robust in terms of their capacity to cope. Maidens are a slightly better proposition than repeats in terms of egg quality and survival but only provided that they can be kept cool during summer and autumn.
The inhibitory effects of temperature on reproduction are mediated through the endocrine (hormonal) system. All parts of the endocrine chain appear to be potentially affected but by far the most sensitive stage is the aromatase-mediated production of estrogen by the ovary. Our experiments have shown that management of aromatase inhibition is the key step in offsetting the effects of high temperature.
Management options are currently limited to managing temperature of broodstock. This approach assumes that the temperature-controlled holding capacity is large enough (or never fails). There is still a strong need for a hormone therapy option as an additional management strategy. Preliminary experiments with juveniles have shown that the fish stay responsive to external estrogen at high temperature. This means that treatment of adults with estrogen at critical periods is a strong candidate for hormone therapy.
Benefit SALTAS modelling indicates that the current direct effect is a loss of smolt production of ~$250,000 and potential industry production shortfall of ~$20million per annum. This assumes that thermal effects in autumn do not get any worse. Objectives: 1. Development of a protocol for treating maiden fish held at 22oC in autumn with silastic implants containing estrogen to artificially raise plasma estrogen levels. 2. Assessment of the effect of elevated plasma estrogen levels on estrogen-dependent gene expression, plasma vitellogenin levels, egg size fertility and survival. 3. On the basis of the outcomes from objectives 1 and 2, refinement of the treatment protocol for use in larger scale industry settings as a second tier tool for the mitigation of thermal stress in broodstock. Read moreRead less
Bycatch Assessment Of The Estuarine Commercial Gill Net Fishery In NSW
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$166,539.00
Summary
Reduction of wastage in fisheries has been a priority of management and research worldwide in recent years. Because of the public perceptions that estuarine gill netting is impacting on fish stocks, in particular causing mortality to sub-legal fish of recreational importance, and for industry to adopt the principles of ecologically sustainable development in the estuarine commercial finfish fishery, there is a clear need to (1) determine the real (as opposed to the perceived) level of discarding ....Reduction of wastage in fisheries has been a priority of management and research worldwide in recent years. Because of the public perceptions that estuarine gill netting is impacting on fish stocks, in particular causing mortality to sub-legal fish of recreational importance, and for industry to adopt the principles of ecologically sustainable development in the estuarine commercial finfish fishery, there is a clear need to (1) determine the real (as opposed to the perceived) level of discarding in the gill net fishery and how this varies spatially and temporally, and (2) determine the selectivities of the gill nets currently used by commercial fishers. If the anecdotal reports of large quantities of discards prove correct, and the selectivities of the current gears used are found to be not particularly good, then it would be highly beneficial to all users of the resource that more selective nets be developed. This would greatly assist EGMAC in developing a responsible management plan for the fishery. This in turn would help the commercial fishing industry in promoting itself as being responsible harvesters of the resource and would go along way to ameliorating the large amount of conflict among interest groups, as well as having long-term benefits to the resource and to all users of the resource. Objectives: 1. Identify and quantify the rates of retained and discarded catches from the different types of gill nets used in the NSW estuarine commercial finfish fishery. Read moreRead less
Feasibility Assessment Of An Adaptive Management Experiment In The SA Lobster Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Identify alternative hypotheses and develop several options whereby the lobster population could be manipulated by commercial fishing activity to achieve a desired experimental treatment and control eg high and low population densities 2. Conduct analyses to determine the experimental parameters eg length of experiment, spatial scale of experiment, experimental design (replicates etc). Determine local and zone scale social, operational and economic impacts. 3. Cond ....Objectives: 1. Identify alternative hypotheses and develop several options whereby the lobster population could be manipulated by commercial fishing activity to achieve a desired experimental treatment and control eg high and low population densities 2. Conduct analyses to determine the experimental parameters eg length of experiment, spatial scale of experiment, experimental design (replicates etc). Determine local and zone scale social, operational and economic impacts. 3. Conduct a series of workshops where commercial and recreational sectors, managers and enforcement officers can have input 4. Develop a consensus view on one option for conducting the experiment. A research proposal based on this option would then be drafted, if consensus can be reached. The proposal would detail costs of research, management and enforcement. Read moreRead less