Abalone Council Australia Ltd Management Of The National Wild Catch Abalone Research, Development And Extension Program (2024 To 2029)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$760,000.00
Summary
Implementing an Industry Partnership Agreement (IPA) was necessary to provide a more coordinated approach to RD&E and ensure that research funds were utilised in the more cost effective and strategic manner. It also “quarantined” funds to be overseen by the ACA for investment in Abalone specific research, giving the industry greater opportunity for input into the research that was funded and greater relevance of project outputs.
The second ACA/FRDC IPA expired in early 2024 and the AC ....Implementing an Industry Partnership Agreement (IPA) was necessary to provide a more coordinated approach to RD&E and ensure that research funds were utilised in the more cost effective and strategic manner. It also “quarantined” funds to be overseen by the ACA for investment in Abalone specific research, giving the industry greater opportunity for input into the research that was funded and greater relevance of project outputs.
The second ACA/FRDC IPA expired in early 2024 and the ACA Board and FRDC are now establishing a new IPA for the period 2024 to 2029.
Historically, industry’s focus has been on management and stock sustainability, although the potential for growth through higher harvest levels via upward quota adjustment is limited. Indeed, since 2011/12, the total annual harvest has fallen from 4,450t to 1965 t in 2023/2024 (a reduction of 56%). The decreasing productivity of Australian abalone fisheries may be attributed to a number of “complex” causes of which fishing mortality is but one; others include: habitat loss due to Centrostephanus urchin, environmental change & marine heat waves, disease outbreak (AVG, Perkinsus), and reduced natural recruitment, all of which reduce fishery productivity.
Please refer to the below table which clearly shows the decreasing productivity of all abalone fisheries in Australia.
State TACC in tonnes 2011/2012 TACC in tonnes 2017/2018 TACC in tonnes 2022/2023 TACC in tonnes 2023/2024 Tasmania 2366 1333.5 794.5 756 South Australia 834 717.5 564.4 544 Victoria 806 595.3 610.9 457 Western Australia 349 143.4 123.5 108 New South Wales 94 100 100 100 TOTAL 4450 2889.70 2193.3 1965
Notwithstanding the lower harvest levels, the industry remains a significant exporter with a total GVP around $135 million in 2023/24.
Objectives: 1. To coordinate the planning, implementation, and reporting of abalone related R&D projects funded by the FRDC to achieve the outcomes specified in the third ACA Strategic Plan. Specifically, this must be at both the National level and regionally across WA, SA, VIC, NSW and TAS. 2. To facilitate the abalone industry participation in FRDC projects and the extension and utilization of the project results. 3. To deliver resources and processes that consolidates and coordinates Abalone related RD&E planning and funding so that overall RD&E outcomes are delivered in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Read moreRead less
SCRC: The SIPP Program - Connecting Early Career Researchers With The Australian Seafood Industry Through Meaningful Coaching Partnerships: Year 2
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Disconnection between research and commercial sectors are a real challenge for the seafood industry as a whole. This disconnection leads to lack of communication about research needs from industry and poor adoption of research outcomes. Consultation with industry has identified a need for more industry ready graduates who have a deeper understanding and connection with the Australian seafood industry and understand more thoroughly the nature and the challenges commercial facilities face in all f ....Disconnection between research and commercial sectors are a real challenge for the seafood industry as a whole. This disconnection leads to lack of communication about research needs from industry and poor adoption of research outcomes. Consultation with industry has identified a need for more industry ready graduates who have a deeper understanding and connection with the Australian seafood industry and understand more thoroughly the nature and the challenges commercial facilities face in all facets of their business.
In addition, there is a need to enhance two way communication and cooperation between industry and research providers. The CRC SIPP program will assist in improving that process by enabling opportunities for industry and researchers to understand each other’s views, challenges and promote better communication on ideas and projects.Read moreRead less
Review the preconditions and the underpinning industry and government structures necessary for the successful implementation of co management Objectives: 1. To investigate the resilience of the various co-management approaches to a changing fishing operational environment (biophysical and socio-governance) 2. To look at the lessons learnt, and the challenges arising from, the implementation of co-management in all jurisdictions; with a view to identifying positive and negati ....Review the preconditions and the underpinning industry and government structures necessary for the successful implementation of co management Objectives: 1. To investigate the resilience of the various co-management approaches to a changing fishing operational environment (biophysical and socio-governance) 2. To look at the lessons learnt, and the challenges arising from, the implementation of co-management in all jurisdictions; with a view to identifying positive and negative drivers 3. To assess the skill sets needed to successfully implement co-management 4. To assess how to resource co-management once the fishery has moved past the RD&E phase 5. To identify the relevant RD&E questions to inform future investment 6. To document recommendations for the future implementation of co management Read moreRead less
Developing And Testing A Cultural Change Process In The NSW Wild Harvest Sector: A Case Study To Facilitate A Process Towards Co-management In The NSW Northern Fish Trawl
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$201,339.23
Summary
In a scan of FRDC projects with “co-management” in the title five projects identify a need for a culture change to allow co-management, but none provided a process by which such culture change could occur.
The NSW wild harvest industry needs support with culture change skills to allow the Industry Vision to become real. The Industry Vision speaks to fisheries management built on co-management and stakeholder consultation. The current culture of the fishing industry is limiting the indus ....In a scan of FRDC projects with “co-management” in the title five projects identify a need for a culture change to allow co-management, but none provided a process by which such culture change could occur.
The NSW wild harvest industry needs support with culture change skills to allow the Industry Vision to become real. The Industry Vision speaks to fisheries management built on co-management and stakeholder consultation. The current culture of the fishing industry is limiting the industry from being an active participant to this vision. Unless this is urgently addressed the combative relationship between industry and Government will not change.
We focus on developing a process of culture change involving both the seafood sector and government. A new culture will underpin and support initiatives between government and the seafood sector. Co-management provides a tangible goal for the participants in this project, but the need being addressed is testing and developing of a process of culture change explicitly for seafood industry and government agencies.
The Industry Vision needs stakeholders to adopt new ways of thinking, relating, and working so they are receptive to the Industry Vision. Significant growth in this sector is possible, in NSW landings of fish could grow as much as 30% (Smith et al 2019). Unless the industry has confidence to commit to the long-term future of the fishing industry and encourage young fishers to see this future this value will never be realised.
This project will pilot an culture change approach never tried in the seafood industry to: • identify and explain the current relationship dynamics between industry and regulators ; • design and implement a suite of projects to transform the relationships to build a trusting and collaborative culture; • develop the framework and practices that will enable and support self-perpetuating culture change.
There is goodwill and intent by NSW Government to move forward to strong working relationships with industry eg Harvest Strategy Working Groups, and a culture change process will provide the confidence to invest in building relationships and being engaged.
Objectives: 1. To establish a group of industry and government leaders/mentors to provide an enduring resource to assist the NSW Northern Fish Trawl sector to facilitate cultural and strategic change to move towards an agreed co-management model and a profitable fishery 2. To design a set of activities/projects to assist industry and government stakeholders to embark on a journey of shifting their beliefs and behaviours to support a viable and highly functional co-management process for the NSW Northern Fish Trawl sector 3. To enable stakeholders from government and from the NSW Northern Fish Trawl sector to participate in a co-management process that guides a stewardship framework to navigate the management, research, and compliance of aquatic resources Read moreRead less
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Technical Guidelines For The Translocation Of Live Aquatic Animals
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$18,000.00
Summary
There is an existing National Policy for the Translocation of Live Aquatic Organisms. published by the Ministerial Council of Forestry, Fisheries and Aquaculture (1999). This provides the policy basis for translocation within Australia. Industry concern about the practical processes for achieving translocation approval lead to the funding of FRDC 2002/080. In addition, recent concern among jurisdictions over VER outbreaks has emphasised the need to develop technical guidelines to underpin test ....There is an existing National Policy for the Translocation of Live Aquatic Organisms. published by the Ministerial Council of Forestry, Fisheries and Aquaculture (1999). This provides the policy basis for translocation within Australia. Industry concern about the practical processes for achieving translocation approval lead to the funding of FRDC 2002/080. In addition, recent concern among jurisdictions over VER outbreaks has emphasised the need to develop technical guidelines to underpin testing, as well as policy guidelines, for finfish. Objectives: 1. To progress a common approach to the translocation of live finfish across Australia for aquaculture and restocking purposes. Read moreRead less
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Development Of Diagnostic Tests To Assess The Impact Of Haplosporidium Infections In Pearl Oysters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$133,716.59
Summary
One of the key objectives of the WA Department of Fisheries Business Plan is to ensure ecological and environmental sustainability of the pearling industry. The proposed project will be of direct benefit to the Western Australian pearling industry in that it will document the existence, if any, of the Haplosporidium and its effect on Australia’s most important commercial pearl oyster species.
Given the difficulties in detection and identification of Haplosporidium by current techni ....One of the key objectives of the WA Department of Fisheries Business Plan is to ensure ecological and environmental sustainability of the pearling industry. The proposed project will be of direct benefit to the Western Australian pearling industry in that it will document the existence, if any, of the Haplosporidium and its effect on Australia’s most important commercial pearl oyster species.
Given the difficulties in detection and identification of Haplosporidium by current techniques (histology and light microscopy), there is a need for alternative, reliable, and cost-effective methods for detecting and speciation of Haplosporidium.
In the context of a pearling industry that is undergoing a process of intensification in which disease management continues as a priority issue, this lack of basic diagnostic capability needs to be addressed.
Such diagnostic tools will help assess the parasite’s impact on the pearl oyster and its potential threat to the industry, as well as providing tools to assist in diagnosis, epidemiology and surveillance of disease. This could be of key importance in trying to determine the true geographic extent of the parasite, to assess why the outbreaks have been sporadic in nature, and to assist in the early detection and management of possible future outbreaks.
In addition, there is an international shortage of pathologists with expertise in molluscan pathology and a national need for research projects that are suitable for the postgraduate training of aquatic animal health specialists.
The FRDC Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram (AAHS) and Scientific Advisory Committee has reviewed the preliminary research proposal and assessed it as high priority. Objectives: 1. To develop a PCR test that is sensitive and specific, being able to detect Haplosporidia generally, yielding a product that is suitable for sequencing and determination of the species. 2. To sequence amplified genomic segments, obtained by PCR, from infected pearl oysters, to determine the species and its phylogenetic relationships. 3. Once sequence data are obtained (from 1), to develop a PCR test that specifically detects only the Haplosporidian species in pearl oysters. 4. To use sequence data obtained in (2), to document the location and distribution of the parasite within the oyster, by the development and application of in situ hybridisation, as part of a study on its life cycle and biology, in conjunction with routine light microscopy. In situ hybridisation is also key in confirming PCR test results. 5. To determine, retrospectively, the molecular identity of the Haplosporidian involved in the previous outbreaks, to see if the same isolate was involved in all outbreaks. 6. To determine whether the parasite is still present in the original outbreak sites and in other sites not historically affected, by the deployment and assessment of spat in these locations. 7. To develop a means for the assessment of infectivity and pathogenicity using rock oysters and their endemic Haplosporidium as a model. Read moreRead less
Given increasing complexity in fisheries management and additional scrutiny on managers, there is a need for fisheries managers from the different jurisdictions to meet as a group to exchange ideas and initiatives and build networks. The Australian Fisheries Management Forum (AFMF), comprised of the respective heads of Commonwealth and State/Territory management agencies, supports the need for such a forum.
Similar cross-fertilisation forums exist between researchers through the Austral ....Given increasing complexity in fisheries management and additional scrutiny on managers, there is a need for fisheries managers from the different jurisdictions to meet as a group to exchange ideas and initiatives and build networks. The Australian Fisheries Management Forum (AFMF), comprised of the respective heads of Commonwealth and State/Territory management agencies, supports the need for such a forum.
Similar cross-fertilisation forums exist between researchers through the Australian Society for Fish Biology (ASFB) and the National Compliance Committee for compliance officers.
It has been a considerable period since fisheries managers workshops were last held. Previous workshops occurred in the 1980s and early 1990s. In March 2014, a two-day national fisheries management workshop was held in Adelaide at the South Australian Aquatic Sciences Centre. This workshop was overseen by the AFMF’s Fisheries Management Sub-Committee (FMSC), with funding support from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC). Recommendations arising from this workshop included convening a subsequent fisheries managers workshop in 12-24 months and the formation of an Australian Professional Fisheries Management Society.
As an interim arrangement pending the potential formation of a professional fisheries managers society as a chapter of ASFB, the FMSC has agreed to hold another fisheries managers workshop, which Queensland will host in October 2017.
Future workshops will be held to coincide with ASFB annually (starting in 2018). Objectives: 1. Hold workshop to solidify the fisheries management working group as part of AFMF Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Topping Up The "Crystal Bowl" For Barramundi
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$62,000.00
Summary
Application 2010/018: A "Crystal Bowl" for Barramundi was submitted to the FRDC 2010 round. While the application was rejected the Board indicated it was sympathetic to the approach described and suggested further discussion with Recfishing Research in the development of any future application. It is proposed that a further application be developed for the FRDC 2011 round addressing the issues raised by the Board.
The "Crystal Bowl" concept will underpin any move to regional management ....Application 2010/018: A "Crystal Bowl" for Barramundi was submitted to the FRDC 2010 round. While the application was rejected the Board indicated it was sympathetic to the approach described and suggested further discussion with Recfishing Research in the development of any future application. It is proposed that a further application be developed for the FRDC 2011 round addressing the issues raised by the Board.
The "Crystal Bowl" concept will underpin any move to regional management which is dependent on fine scale data collection on Barramundi in the Fitzroy River system and remains pivotal to the further development of the concept.
Data collected will also be used as baseline data for two coal port developments proposed by Xstrata for the Fitzroy River. These proposals are in their early stages. One proposal at Balaclava Island at the mouth of the river could impact on Barramundi and Threadfin spawning grounds and the other to barge coal down the Fitzroy River will significantly disrupt fishing activities. Discussions are underway with consultants for Xstrata to establish a monitoring program however this is unlikely to commence until the project are approved.
The data required is commercial catch, recreational catch and recruitment. Also required are the environmental conditions including connectivity of wetland lagoons, river flows and rainfall.
Data on commercial catch is available from Fisheries Queensland. CapReef, a community based monitoring program, has collected data on recreational catch since 2007 and recruitment since 1999. A further application for the "Crystal Bowl" will not be submitted until November 2010 and if approved would not commence until around June 2011. Objectives: 1. Collection of commercial catch and recreational catch data for the Fitzroy River in 2010-11 2. Collection of Barramundi recruitment and environmental data for the 2011 recruitment season from January to April 3. Use of that data in the development of commitment to local or regional management among local stakeholders and as baseline data for estimating the impact of proposed coal port developments for the Fitzroy River Read moreRead less