Objectives: 1. To identify whether the effects of estuary hauling over seagrass meadows is identifiable at the estuary level. 2. To assess the 'within-estuary' impacts of hauling, if any, on seagrass frond height, density and cover. 3. To interpret the results in relation to known information on the utilisation of the seagrass habitat by fish.
The Occurrence And Significance Of Pathogenic Vibrios In Oysters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Obtain information enabling the oyster industry to minimise the risk of an outbreak of oyster-borne illness caused by pathogens Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae 2. Examine the ecology of these vibrios & their behaviour in Sydney rock oysters
Seagrass Strategic Review And Development Of An R&D Plan
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$178,918.00
Summary
FRDC has identified a critical need to obtain a stategic review of seagrasses and to develop an R&D plan to address seagrass-fisheries related issues. It has requested that CSIRO develop a proposal to address its needs. These include the need to: · determine the status of Australian seagrass research and knowledge · review of seagrass monitoring and assessment · review of knowledge of links between seagrass and fisheries sustainability · review knowledge on seagrass and fisheri ....FRDC has identified a critical need to obtain a stategic review of seagrasses and to develop an R&D plan to address seagrass-fisheries related issues. It has requested that CSIRO develop a proposal to address its needs. These include the need to: · determine the status of Australian seagrass research and knowledge · review of seagrass monitoring and assessment · review of knowledge of links between seagrass and fisheries sustainability · review knowledge on seagrass and fisheries management · review information on seagrass remediation and restoration projects . develop and R&D plan that includes key strategic areas, goals, priority research, a framework of how agencies will link and to define the various leadership roles. Objectives: 1. To review the status of Australian seagrasses with respect to the status of Australian seagrass research and knowledge. 2. To review the status of Australian seagrasses with respect to the status of seagrass monitoring and assessment. 3. To review the status of Australian seagrasses with respect to the status of knowledge of links between seagrass and fisheries sustainability. 4. To review the status of Australian seagrasses with respect to the status of knowledge of seagrass and fisheries management. 5. To review the status of Australian seagrasses with respect to the status of knowledge of remediation and restoration projects. 6. To develop an R&D plan that includes:. key strategic areas. goals . priority research. framework, how agencies will link e.g. EA, FRDC, State, etc. definition of leadership roles Read moreRead less
Documenting The Decline In Fisheries Productivity Due To Habitat Loss - Tropical, Eastern And Southern Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$24,000.00
Summary
1 - Recreatiopnal Fishing - As identified at the 2012 Recreational Fishing Conference, the vast majority of recreational fishing is inshore. The Conference agreed that habitat protection and repair was one of its four priorities. RESPONSE- This project spports this priority with the objective of collecting and disseminating in clear and unambiguous terms the loss of inshore productivity due to habitat decline and thence the opportunity for productivity improvement with habitat repair. 1 - Recreatiopnal Fishing - As identified at the 2012 Recreational Fishing Conference, the vast majority of recreational fishing is inshore. The Conference agreed that habitat protection and repair was one of its four priorities. RESPONSE- This project spports this priority with the objective of collecting and disseminating in clear and unambiguous terms the loss of inshore productivity due to habitat decline and thence the opportunity for productivity improvement with habitat repair.
2 - Aquaculture - A recent FRDC project developing an Oyster Portal for the oyster industry has clearly identified the decline in Sydney Rock production, much of which can be directly attributed to habitat loss/ net primary productivity decline. RESPONSE - SRO will be included as one of the indicator fisheries. Growing technology has improved, demand for product is high but production continues to decline.
3 - Commercial Fishing - The Coorong fishery, the prawn fisheries and the barramundi fishery have all been interacting with the PI seeking repair of inshore productivity. All have specific areas of habitat repair and legitimate proposals - eg Burdekin floodplain - over 1500 bunds prohibiting barramundi accessing previous estuarine to freshwater systems; eg Coorong- proposals to maximise the benefits of the increased fresh water in the Murray. RESPONSE - barramundi, school prawns and coorong fishery will all be case studies
4 - Investor Interest - the Australian Government is keen to invest its Biodiversity Fund in major repair works to theAustralian landscape. RESPONSE - The companion FRDC funded Business case for habitat repair will suggest a major program of about $300M, including about $10M for further research. This small investment will collate and promate summary facts and figures on the productivity declinne in Australia's estuary fisheries and therefore the benefits of inshore habitat repair. Objectives: 1. To quantify the decline in productivity within tropical estuarine to freshwater systems due to habitat loss and estimate the productivity opportunities of repair 2. To quantify the decline in productivity within Australia's subtropical and temperate east coast major floodplain dominated estuaries due to habitat loss and estimate the productivity opportunities of repair 3. To quantify the decline in productivity within the lower lakes and Coorong, including hypothesising on flow ons to recruitment within Victorian southern estuary systems due to the barrages and overall loss of connectivity and estimate the productivity opportunities of repair in connectivity and freshwater - marine mixing in the Coorong Read moreRead less
Artificial Reefs: Suitability Of Recycled Materials For Integration Into Purpose Built Artificial Reefs For Enhancing Marine Productivity, Biodiversity And Social Outcomes
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$280,505.19
Summary
Traditionally, reef projects around Australia have been funded by public money through government agencies, in particular regional development, research or fisheries grants. More recently in WA, new reefs such as Exmouth’s King Reef, have been brought to life through funding partnerships between government, not for profit & other private/industry sectors. Creating new pathways & processes to unlock & utilise alternative materials to create habitat enhancement structures is critical in ensuring t ....Traditionally, reef projects around Australia have been funded by public money through government agencies, in particular regional development, research or fisheries grants. More recently in WA, new reefs such as Exmouth’s King Reef, have been brought to life through funding partnerships between government, not for profit & other private/industry sectors. Creating new pathways & processes to unlock & utilise alternative materials to create habitat enhancement structures is critical in ensuring the benefits artificial reefs create for our oceans & communities are maximised. Integrating appropriate recycled materials into reef developments provides opportunities from a scalability & financially sustainable perspective for all sectors of the Australian seafood industry, paving the way for more reefs to be deployed for social, economic and environmental benefit.
Playing a leading role in artificial reef development, Recfishwest often receives offers of materials for new reef projects. Examples include concrete in the form of railway sleepers, roadway culverts & bridge beams or steel in the form of storage tanks, structural frameworks & pipelines. Understanding what structures are suitable & acceptable for repurposing into reefs needs to be determined before these opportunities (current & future) are lost. This will unlock new reef options with alternative partners & funders to build more productive marine habitats for the benefit of local communities & the environment. This project is an extension to the previously FRDC funded habitat enhancement project: https://www.frdc.com.au/Archived-Reports/FRDC%20Projects/2014-005-DLD.pdf
Current Commonwealth & State legislation & policies limit the exploration of new reefing opportunities and there is a need to support change within these regulatory agencies.
We regularly consult with stakeholders who also have a need to understand the outcomes of this project including: DPIRD, NERA, WAFIC, NOPSEMA, DAWE, other Regulators, Resources Sector (including operators), Research agencies and the WA fishing community as end users. NERA and DAWE have also provided Letters of Support for this project as critical project partners to help achieve the outcomes and desired benefits. Objectives: 1. Explore existing literature on structures and materials that have been successfully repurposed into artificial reefs globally 2. Create a framework to assess the habitat and fishing suitability of structures for use in artificial reef projects 3. Create a guidelines and a substantial list of structures available for potential use in integrated artificial reefs from multiple industries 4. Develop a pathway with targeted regulators to assist in the development of a better regulatory environment that supports science-based habitat enhancement projects Read moreRead less