Factors Contributing To Socioeconomic Gradients In Children's Oral Health Between 1993 And 2003
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$79,532.00
Summary
The NHMRC and the Australian National Oral Health Plan have identified health inequalities as a critical health issue. Dental caries in children increasingly has become concentrated in disadvantaged population groups. While previous studies have documented socioeconomic gradients in oral health, few have sought to explain the reasons underlying those inequalities. By taking advantage of two existing datasets of child oral health in Australia, collected in 1992 and 2002, we will be able to quanti ....The NHMRC and the Australian National Oral Health Plan have identified health inequalities as a critical health issue. Dental caries in children increasingly has become concentrated in disadvantaged population groups. While previous studies have documented socioeconomic gradients in oral health, few have sought to explain the reasons underlying those inequalities. By taking advantage of two existing datasets of child oral health in Australia, collected in 1992 and 2002, we will be able to quantify change in socioeconomic inequalities in oral health, and identify population-wide exposures to preventive practices and social circumstances that may have contributed to that change.Read moreRead less
Dr Douglas Tocher from the University of Stirling in Scotland is a world-renowned expert in both the practical aspects and the molecular biology of lipid nutrition in fish. He will be visiting Sydney in September 2009 to speak at the Oils and Fats conference. This is an excellent opportunity to have him visit Adelaide and Port Lincoln researchers and industry personnel to discuss possible international collaborative projects in finfish lipid nutrition.
Assessment Of Seal Fishery Interactions In The South East Trawl Fishery (SETF) And The Development Of Fishing Practices And Seal Exclusion Devices (SEDs) In The Winter Blue Grenadier Fishery To Mitigate Seal Bycatch By SETF Trawlers
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$287,245.00
Summary
With the continuing recovery in the size of Australian-based fur seal populations post-sealing, a corresponding increase in seal interactions with domestic fishing vessels is occurring and will continue. There is an urgent need to develop effective seal bycatch prevention procedures to prevent fishing operations from being severely curtailed, or closed down, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Following the 1999 winter blue grenadier season, incide ....With the continuing recovery in the size of Australian-based fur seal populations post-sealing, a corresponding increase in seal interactions with domestic fishing vessels is occurring and will continue. There is an urgent need to develop effective seal bycatch prevention procedures to prevent fishing operations from being severely curtailed, or closed down, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Following the 1999 winter blue grenadier season, incidental seal mortalities emerged as a major issue that threatened the continuation of this fishery; at least that part of the fishery harvested by factory trawlers. These trawlers had successfully developed the fishery, increasing the total grenadier catch from about 3000 t in 1996 to over 9000 t in 1999. The processed value of the factory trawler catch is now around $20 million per year (ASIC 2003) at first sale. The seal deaths in 1999 resulted in significant pressure from some environmental groups to prevent factory trawlers access to this fishery in 2000. This action would have caused significant loss of income in this sector and possibly jeopardised the future participation of factory trawlers in the fishery. There is a strong need for such vessels to demonstrate that seal bycatch can be reduced by adopting appropriate fishing procedures and gears.
It is also likely that pressures will be brought to bear on the ‘wet boats’ fishing for blue grenadier and possibly the rest of the SEF trawl fleet to take measures to reduce incidental seal captures. The study by Knuckey et al. (2002) indicated seal bycatch to occur virtually across the whole multi-species trawl fishery. Some of the results of the development and testing of SEDs and other mitigation measures by the factory trawlers in the targeted ‘single-species’ fishery under this project may be transferable to other vessel operators in the wider multi-species fishery, helping them to avoid many potential operational problems and costs. Increasing the effectiveness of SEDs in both reducing seal mortalities and minimising fish losses would be an important step in helping to gain wider industry acceptance of the potential use of these devices. Objectives: 1. To improve the effectiveness of Seal Exclusion Devices (SEDs) in blue grenadier trawl nets in reducing seal mortalities and minimising losses of fish. 2. To assess the effectiveness of fishing techniques aimed at minimising seal bycatch. 3. To gather full biological information from all seal fatalities. 4. To achieve full observer coverage of freezer-trawler activities during the 2001 and 2002 winter grenadier fishery and monitor seal numbers around vessels and all seal-trawl interactions. 5. To gather information on seal movements/residence time in the winter grenadier fishery. Read moreRead less
Predicting And Assessing Recruitment Variation - A Critical Factor For The Management Of The Mother-of-pearl (Pinctada Maxima) Fishery In WA
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$346,257.50
Summary
Historically, total allowable catches (TAC) of respective zones in the pearl oyster fishery have been changed in response to significant fluctuations in the previous year’s catch rate (catch per unit effort). These changes, however, have been influenced by factors other than variations in stock abundance, e.g. as changes in available technology or variations in fishing efficiency due to weather conditions or water clarity.
In order to make more reliable projections on future catch and ....Historically, total allowable catches (TAC) of respective zones in the pearl oyster fishery have been changed in response to significant fluctuations in the previous year’s catch rate (catch per unit effort). These changes, however, have been influenced by factors other than variations in stock abundance, e.g. as changes in available technology or variations in fishing efficiency due to weather conditions or water clarity.
In order to make more reliable projections on future catch and effort there is a need to move away from reliance on retrospective catch data. In order to do this, information supplied to decision makers should include: 1) the size structure (length frequency) of past catches; 2) information on the abundance of pre-recruits (piggyback spat); 3) information on important environmental variables affecting stocks; and 4) other factors affecting catch rate such as water clarity and the use of new technology (e.g. GPS).
A recommendation from Project No. 95/41 states: "The relationship between "piggyback" spat settlement, environmental effects and recruitment to the fishery which can be used to forecast increases/decreases in abundance should be developed. This enables changes to quota to be forecast to allow forward planning in pearl seeding and farm operations."
A framework for the collection of this data is needed, as pearl oyster fisheries have large fluctuations in recruitment over time, and management needs to base quota decisions on the presence or absence of emerging year classes. Collection of this data will give a more stable signal on the "health" of the fishery and allow more confident predictive assessments to be made. Objectives: 1. To establish set protocols for piggyback spat sampling within the pearl oyster fishery and develop a database for the storage of data collected. 2. To establish set protocols for length frequency sampling within the pearl oyster fishery and develop a database for the storage of data collected. 3. To establish a database of factors affecting catch rate. 4. To examine links between spat sampling data set, environmental factors and the abundance estimates for the pearl oyster fishery. Read moreRead less
Spatially Targeted Intervention For Eliminating Tuberculosis In High-burden Countries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
The overall goal of my research program is to design and implement an innovative approach for eliminating TB in high-burden countries such as Ethiopia and China. My project will integrate contemporary and sophisticated analytical methods (geospatial methods, network meta-analysis and economic analysis) within a single translational research framework and provide evidence to make a substantial shift from the current paradigm of passive case detection.
Evaluation Of Alternative Strategies For Management Of Commonwealth Fisheries In Southeastern Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,429,399.00
Summary
As part of a move towards EBFM, there is a clear need to identify the variety of management measures in place across fisheries within the region, and to evaluate a range of comprehensive and “integrated” management strategies that would best meet the needs of all fisheries across the full range of management objectives. The AFMA Board has recently signalled that it wants the MACs in the region to consider these issues, and particularly the implementation of a wider mix of strategies for managing ....As part of a move towards EBFM, there is a clear need to identify the variety of management measures in place across fisheries within the region, and to evaluate a range of comprehensive and “integrated” management strategies that would best meet the needs of all fisheries across the full range of management objectives. The AFMA Board has recently signalled that it wants the MACs in the region to consider these issues, and particularly the implementation of a wider mix of strategies for managing fisheries, including time and area closures and gear modifications, in addition to existing output controls such as TACs. This project will assemble the information and provide the analytical tools to undertake such evaluations. A carefully evaluated set of management strategies would support the existing management process (including the MACs, AFMA management, and the National Oceans Office) in developing an operational management plan for south eastern fisheries that is tightly integrated with other uses of the marine environment in the region, including implementation of the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas and of the South East Regional Marine Plan. If such a plan can be developed, it would put these fisheries and Australia at the forefront of practical implementation of EBFM. The need is to have all the issues, objectives and options on the table at the same time, to consider simultaneously the impacts of a set of management arrangements in addressing each issue and objective, and to support a process that will arrive at a comprehensive and balanced outcome considering all fishery sectors and all other legitimate stakeholders with interests in the region. Objectives: 1. Identify the key economic and environmental issues facing the Shark, SET, SENT and GAB fisheries. 2. Identify the regional and fishery specific management objectives and strategies, encompassing the full range of management measures that are able to be adopted in the SESSF. 3. Evaluate integrated management strategies against regional and fishery specific management objectives:· Qualitative evaluation by February 2007· Preliminary quantitative evaluation by February 2007· Quantitative evaluation by September 2007 4. Make available evaluated strategies to AFMA, relevant MACs and other stakeholders. Read moreRead less
Developing Innovative And Cost-effective Tools For Monitoring Recreational Fishing In Commonwealth Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$174,997.69
Summary
Population growth in coastal cities, increasing tourism-based fishing, increasing effectiveness of searching (GPS) and capture (tackle) technologies, and competition for more accessible inshore fish species have contributed to an increasing number of recreational fishers travelling further offshore to target Commonwealth-managed species such as billfishes, tunas and shelf species. Griffiths and Pepperell (2006) documented that recreational fishers in Australia interact with over 1164 taxa of fis ....Population growth in coastal cities, increasing tourism-based fishing, increasing effectiveness of searching (GPS) and capture (tackle) technologies, and competition for more accessible inshore fish species have contributed to an increasing number of recreational fishers travelling further offshore to target Commonwealth-managed species such as billfishes, tunas and shelf species. Griffiths and Pepperell (2006) documented that recreational fishers in Australia interact with over 1164 taxa of fish and may have a significant interaction with 20 Commonwealth fisheries. However, the current extent of recreational fishing impacts on these species are poorly known. Consequently, in 2006 ComFRAB identified this significant knowledge gap as a high research priority.
The long-term sustainability and equitable sharing (resource allocation) of Commonwealth-managed fish species is dependent upon good fisheries management. Management decisions are ultimately guided by accurate stock assessments that integrate all possible fishing mortality sources, which include commercial, recreational and indigenous fisheries. However, due to the low interaction between recreational fishers and Commonwealth-managed species in the past, the management of recreational fishing has largely been the responsibility of the states.
Numerous recreational fishing surveys have been undertaken in coastal, estuarine and freshwater systems by state fisheries agencies, focusing on local issues or a subset of species. However, the complexity and expense of collecting broad-based recreational catch and effort data for offshore species in Commonwealth waters has seen the problem addressed in very few instances, mainly by opportunistic surveys by state fisheries agencies at fishing tournaments. As a consequence, long-term information on recreational catches of Commonwealth-managed species is currently inadequate for inclusion in stock assessments. Therefore, a more concerted effort is required to monitor recreational fishing in Commonwealth fisheries. This will provide important information to guide management in order to ensure the sustainability and equitable allocation of fish resources shared by recreational and commercial sectors.
Objectives: 1. Undertake a comprehensive review of the global literature relating to the existing methods used to monitor recreational fishing, which may be transferable to Commonwealth fisheries 2. Develop innovative operational and statistical tools for collecting, integrating and analysing recreational fisheries data, for the purpose of integration into stock assessment and to support resource allocation in Commonwealth fisheries 3. Recommend a cost-effective and statistically robust long-term recreational fisheries monitoring program for Commonwealth fisheries Read moreRead less
Population Dynamics And Reproductive Ecology Of The Southern Calamari In Tasmania
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$230,188.00
Summary
Squid differ from fish in more than just short life span. They also have a relatively long juvenile phase, exponential growth, short spawning periods, spatial and temporal variability in population dynmaics and considerable inter-individual variability. Therefore, existing fish management strategies are unlikely to adequately address the spatial and temporal variability evident in squid populations. This project directly addresses the key areas of squid fisheries research, that is the need to ....Squid differ from fish in more than just short life span. They also have a relatively long juvenile phase, exponential growth, short spawning periods, spatial and temporal variability in population dynmaics and considerable inter-individual variability. Therefore, existing fish management strategies are unlikely to adequately address the spatial and temporal variability evident in squid populations. This project directly addresses the key areas of squid fisheries research, that is the need to clarify the variability in the life history characteristics in space and time. It will only be through the quantification of this information and the application of modelling techniques that we will be able to determine the appropriate management strategy for squid, eg closures vs limited access vs total allowable catch.
A need for research on Southern Calamari has arisen because the fishery targets sexually mature individuals on the spawning grounds while they are mating and laying eggs. This is a short-lived species (6-8 months) and populations are entirely dependent on successful production of young by each generation. Therefore, we need to determine the impacts of fishing upon adult populations and egg production, which may compromise future recruitment.
Fishers and managers in Tasmania have raised questions about the current status of Southern Calamari stocks, with suggestions that increasing exploitation may place the stocks at high risk of collapse. A number of factors such as the short lifespan, low fecundity, non-overlapping generations and high inter-annual recruitment variability of this species exacerbate the risk. Especially since managing a species with these biological characteristics cannot be based on previous catch history. We need to develop numerical models that can use biological indicators to manage stocks that are vulnerable to recruitment failure given that the primary target is spawning individuals.
The current state of biological and ecological knowledge about Southern Calamary does not allow management decisions to be made to allow this fishery to develop at sustainable levels. Consequently, there is an urgent need to quantify the productivity of Southern Calamari populations and determine which components of the population are fished by different gear types. Objectives: 1. Describe temporal and spatial variability in rates of growth, size and age distributions, and reproductive status of populations of Southern Calamari. 2. Describe the spatial and temporal patterns of spawning activities and quantify the reproductive output of Southern Calamari populations. 3. Determine the age, size, spawning condition, and sex composition of the Southern Calamari caught by commercial fishers using different fishing gear. 4. Develop performance indicators to be used with Southern Calamari populations and other short-lived marine species. Read moreRead less