Unified framework of intestinal motility. The project aims to establish how a few fundamental mechanisms determine the large repertoire of intestinal motor patterns responsible for moving nutrients along the digestive tract. The project will combine experimental and theoretical data, with biomechanical and electrophysiological models to create a new understanding of this essential function of the body.
Investigation Of Significance To The Australian Fishing Industry Of (a) Fisheries Data Availability (b) Fuel
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Investigate & report on accessibility & usage of data avail to fisheries authorities; & on availability, cost, distribution, storage & usage patterns of fuel & 2. the possible impact on shipbuilding, catching, processing & marketing sectors
The Toxicity And Sub-lethal Effects Of Persistent Pesticides On Juvenile Prawns And A Common Inter-tidal Seagrass Species
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$123,475.12
Summary
Four of the eight fishing industry sectors have identified pollution as one of the priorities for improvement. Although the pollution types and sources were not further defined, the impacts from persistent organic pollutants are becoming more common worldwide. Toxic effects arising from exposure to chemical pollutants are frequently reported. In addition, contamination by these chemicals can lead to discrimination and/or rejection of the product in the marketplace. The need is for a properly f ....Four of the eight fishing industry sectors have identified pollution as one of the priorities for improvement. Although the pollution types and sources were not further defined, the impacts from persistent organic pollutants are becoming more common worldwide. Toxic effects arising from exposure to chemical pollutants are frequently reported. In addition, contamination by these chemicals can lead to discrimination and/or rejection of the product in the marketplace. The need is for a properly funded study that examines the quality of inshore seawater in a defined area and from which links can be established between cause and effect. For the reasons set out below, the study proposed is seen as Stage 1 of a multi-stage process which will enable the Fishing Industry to understand where it stands currently as far as water pollution by organic chemicals is concerned and the impacts these chemicals might have on specific ecosystem components.
The focus of stage 2 would be to examine the impact of bio-available inorganic chemicals and, separately, increased levels of nutrients on specified key ecosystem components. A subsequent stage could examine the impact of identified industrial chemicals on appropriate indicator species. The aim must be to appreciate the sensitivity of (South) Australian marine ecosystems to pollution from a variety of sources and the impact on market share.
Stage 1. There is increasing evidence from other States in Australia, and worldwide, that persistent herbicides arising from terrestrial activities are impacting on the growth and productivity of inshore seagrass beds. The toxicity of agricultural chemicals, principally insecticides, has been demonstrated on fish species that are indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere but no study has looked at the toxicity of persistent agricultural chemicals to species found in Australia. And, more importantly, the toxicity of widely used persistent agricultural chemicals to species of commercial importance in South Australia has not been studied.
Recruitment of juveniles from the inshore nursery areas where persistent agricultural chemicals are most likely to be found could be significantly compromised. Modern pesticides, intended for terrestrial use, are toxic at extremely low concentrations.
The levels of persistent herbicides found in marine environments elsewhere in the world are significant, and similar levels would be expected to occur in Australian inshore waters given the extensive use of herbicides in Australian agriculture. The toxicity of persistent herbicides to inter-tidal seagrass species has not been studied in Australia.
A study linking the concentration of a key persistent organic insecticide in the soil, its concentration in the adjacent marine environment and its toxicity to a key marine indicator species such as the prawn, represents a good model for the study of the impact of a non-point source pollutant over a relatively small area.
The contribution by wind-blown topsoil from adjacent farm areas, which can act as a carrier of considerable quantities of adsorbed persistent organic pesticides has not been examined in South Australia. The role of dust-storm events in the transport of toxic chemicals elsewhere in the world is recognised. The concentration in seawater of persistent organic pollutants such as insecticides has not been determined on a seasonal basis. Dose-response data for a major persistent insecticide and a key indicator marine species such as prawns, combined with knowledge of the concentration of the pesticide in seawater, will provide a scientific basis for proposing modification of land management practices.
The demonstration of significant levels of persistent pesticides in fine farm topsoil and identification of those pesticides in seawater, combined with demonstrated toxicity effects on a key marine species of commercial significance, would provide further support for proposing changes in land-care strategies designed to mitigate these inputs. Objectives: 1. The identity and concentration of insecticides in water samples taken seasonally from inshore nursery areas in Spencer Gulf, and also downstream from point sources such as creeks, will be determined throughout the duration of the project. 2. The levels of adsorbed residual insecticides and herbicides adsorbed onto the <200 mesh fraction of top-soil, sampled from selected farms adjacent to recognised marine nursery areas, will be determined. 3. To develop a GIS database identifying the land units adjoining Spencer Gulf likely to contribute wind borne soil to Gulf waters, together with point sources such as creeks and other discharge points that have the potential to contribute pollutants into recognised nursery habitats. 4. The toxic and sub-lethal effects on juvenile prawns of the common persistent insecticides used in broad-scale agriculture and in local government pest-control programs will be determined. Other juveniles, such as blue crabs and an indicator scalefish, may be tested if time and availability of test organisms allows. 5. The toxic and sublethal effects of a major persistent herbicide used in broad-scale agriculture on Zostera, a common inter-tidal seagrass species, will be determined. 6. Having determined what organic pesticide pollutants are in the seawater and in conjunction with the toxicology data and the residue levels in soil, to then establish the probable mechanisms for their appearance in seawater and to recommend ways of mitigating the impacts. The objective here is to prepare and implement an extension program which communicates effectively the results and recommendations of the project to local coastcare groups, local government and appropriate agricultural industry groups and other stakeholders. Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Development Of A Plan To Address National Needs For Recreational Fishing Data For Fisheries Management And Development
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$49,049.10
Summary
Governments and industry have recognised the importance and potential for further development of the recreational fishing sector. However, to increase and measure the social and economic values of the sector, and to ensure sustainability of the fisheries, there is a need to effectively and efficiently collect, curate and share appropriate recreational fisheries data. A systematic national approach to the collection and management of recreational fisheries data would also assist with the managem ....Governments and industry have recognised the importance and potential for further development of the recreational fishing sector. However, to increase and measure the social and economic values of the sector, and to ensure sustainability of the fisheries, there is a need to effectively and efficiently collect, curate and share appropriate recreational fisheries data. A systematic national approach to the collection and management of recreational fisheries data would also assist with the management of the sector and prediction of the impacts of regulatory decisions and program implementation.
A systematic and coordinated approach to the collection and sharing of recreational fisheries data for fisheries management and industry development are common themes in the: - FRDC research and development plan to 2010 - Australian Fisheries Management Forum (AFMF) 2006-2008 research priorities - 2006 State of the Marine Environment Report (SOMER2006) - Fisheries Statistics Working Group’s “strategy to improve the quality, comparability and availability of fisheries data and statistics in Australia”.
The approach proposed here recognises that the 2000 National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey provided information that, while useful and widely used, did not address many industry and government needs and is unlikely to be repeated. As a result, each jurisdiction is independently collecting recreational fisheries data for stock assessment, resource allocation and other management requirements.
Late in 2006, all jurisdictions and industry agreed on the need for a coordinated national approach to collection of recreational fisheries data. Since then AFMF’s Science and Research Sub-committee has been liaising with Recfish Australia and Recfishing Research (FRDC 2007/227) concerning a national approach to data collection and management that meets the needs of government and industry. There is strong support for the development of a national recreational fisheries data plan based on the respective and combined needs of government and industry stakeholders.
Objectives: 1. To develop a national plan for the efficient and effective collection and management of recreational fisheries data for Government and industry. Read moreRead less
NCCP: Development Of Hydrological, Ecological And Epidemiological Modelling To Inform A CyHV3 Release Strategy For The Biocontrol Of Carp In The Murray Darling Basin
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,057,000.00
Summary
The complexity of developing an optimized "release strategy" requires a modelling approach, as undertaking field trials to develop this strategy is not an option - due to the impossibility of containing the virus to the trial site.
Whilst it might be possible to develop a theoretical model for release, it is much preferable that this be based on the available and relevant data that exists for each catchment.
To achieve this we will develop a series of inter-related hydrol .... The complexity of developing an optimized "release strategy" requires a modelling approach, as undertaking field trials to develop this strategy is not an option - due to the impossibility of containing the virus to the trial site.
Whilst it might be possible to develop a theoretical model for release, it is much preferable that this be based on the available and relevant data that exists for each catchment.
To achieve this we will develop a series of inter-related hydrological, ecological, demographic and epidemiological models, and integrate these using a Big Data approach, where the underlying data is stored in databases and accessed using work-flow tools such as CSIRO's Workspace (https://research.csiro.au/workspace/)
Objectives: 1. Develop a series of inter-related hydrological, ecological and epidemiological models that will enable the development of a strategy to inform the strategic staged release of CyHV-3 so as to deliver maximum impact whilst minimizing the major anticipated adverse ecological consequence, i.e. large scale anoxic river events. 2. Develop Big Data management and visualization systems for delivering the large amount of data that will arise from the modelling exercises in an interactive and informative manner. Read moreRead less
Restocking Of The Blackwood River Estuary With Black Bream (Acanthopagrus Butcheri)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$325,813.00
Summary
There is an urgent need to rehabilitate the stock of black bream in the Blackwood River Estuary and enable the stock subsequently to be sustained at a higher level than present.
There is thus a need to culture black bream, using brood stock from the Blackwood River Estuary, for (i) restocking that estuary and (ii) to confirm subsequently that released black bream survive in the estuary and make a significant contribution to the fishable stock.
The collection of baseline data on ....There is an urgent need to rehabilitate the stock of black bream in the Blackwood River Estuary and enable the stock subsequently to be sustained at a higher level than present.
There is thus a need to culture black bream, using brood stock from the Blackwood River Estuary, for (i) restocking that estuary and (ii) to confirm subsequently that released black bream survive in the estuary and make a significant contribution to the fishable stock.
The collection of baseline data on the stock of black bream in the Blackwood River Estuary is required to make comparisons between the status and biological parameters of black bream prior to restocking the Blackwood River Estuary and (1) those in other estuaries where substantial stocks of this species are still present and (2) those of the entire population in the Blackwood River Estuary after restocking.
Management will need to ensure that the fishery is regulated in order that the enhanced stock is sustained. The production of management plans will require a sound understanding of the biological parameters of age, growth and reproductive biology prior to and after the restocking. Information is also required on the catch rates and size compositions of recreational and commercial catches prior to and after restocking. Objectives: 1. To obtain baseline data on crucial biological parameters and catch statistics of black bream in the Blackwood River Estuary. 2. To obtain mature sized black bream from the Blackwood River Estuary to be used as brood stock for culturing juveniles on site. 3. To identify and determine the extent of habitats important to black bream in the Blackwood River Estuary. 4. To compare the densities of black bream in important habitats within the Blackwood River Estuary with those in similar habitats within other systems 5. To introduce cultured juveniles into the Blackwood River Estuary, all of which will be tagged. 6. To estimate the proportion of released black bream, which represent a known year class, amongst the total number of that age class and thereby estimate the extent to which restocking has enhanced the population. 7. To obtain data on the biological parameters and catch statistics of black bream in the Blackwood River Estuary following restocking. 8. To evaluate the success of the restocking program by comparing biological parameters and catch statistics prior to and after restocking. 9. To provide advice that can be used by management to develop plans to sustain the enhanced stock of black bream in the Blackwood River Estuary. 10. Compare the growth rates of restocked and "wild" fish during the first three and a half years of their life. 11. Estimate the proportion of restocked fish amongst all fish of a corresponding age. 12. Determine whether the length and age at maturity and age at maturity and the age at the minimum legal length of hatchery reared black bream are the same as those for the "wild" stock. 13. Estimate the average cost to produce each fish that will survive to the minimum legal length and this be available for exploitation. Read moreRead less
Sustainability Of Small-scale, Data-poor Commercial Fisheries: Developing Assessments, Performance Indicators And Monitoring Strategies For Temperate Reef Species
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$195,620.00
Summary
The development of live fish markets in the early 1990s has created a strong demand for temperate reef species, specifically banded morwong and wrasse. Prior to these developments these species had little commercial value, often being used as bait for rock lobster. This demand has resulted in major increases in fishing pressure directed at the reef fish communities and while there has been much work on tropical species, our knowledge of how temperate reef species respond to fishing pressure is ....The development of live fish markets in the early 1990s has created a strong demand for temperate reef species, specifically banded morwong and wrasse. Prior to these developments these species had little commercial value, often being used as bait for rock lobster. This demand has resulted in major increases in fishing pressure directed at the reef fish communities and while there has been much work on tropical species, our knowledge of how temperate reef species respond to fishing pressure is comparatively poor.
Although banded morwong and wrasse have vastly different life history characteristics (early life history, reproductive strategies and age and growth), they are basically sedentary, exhibiting population structuring at a small spatial scale. However, related to the general mis-match between the spatial scales of fishery management, fishing operations and fish population structure, there is considerable potential for localised depletion, and hence for serial depletion of the resources.
In Tasmania, steady declines in catch and catch rates have led to concerns that fishing has already significantly impacted banded morwong stocks. In Victoria, a more controlled approach to the development of the fishery has been taken, with an initial three-year developmental phase to be followed by a review to ascertain long-term sustainability.
Although key fishery indicators, catches and catch rates (analysed at state-wide or regional scales) have remained relatively stable for wrasse, there are anecdotal reports of localised depletions from Tasmania. Furthermore, the selective removal of adult male blue-throat wrasse has the potential to impact significantly on egg production even if female spawner biomass is adequate.
There is therefore an urgent need to develop robust stock assessments, appropriate performance indicators and monitoring strategies for these species if they are to be managed sustainably. However, being small-scale fisheries based on sedentary, spatially structured populations, an innovative approach to fishery and biological monitoring and data analyses is required. Since Tasmanian, Victorian and South Australian fisheries share many common characteristics there are considerable benefits from a coordinated approach to this issue. This study will also have broader implications for other small-scale and data poor fisheries.
Objectives: 1. Develop appropriate and meaningful performance indicators for sedentary reef-dwelling species, using banded morwong and wrasse as models. 2. Determine minimum information requirements for the effective stock assessment of these species. 3. Develop appropriate model frameworks for testing the performance indicators developed for these fisheries. Read moreRead less
Increased Economic Efficiency For The Western Rocklobster Fishery Through Improved Pot Design
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$135,453.72
Summary
Given the current cost-price squeeze, the WA FRAB and the WRL Industry have highlighted business improvement/cost competitiveness within the fishing industry as a priority for research. For the WRL fishery, this situation has resulted primarily from a relatively static beach price for lobster and increasing fuel, labour and other input costs. A major driver for input costs in this fishery is the number of pot lifts, which is currently about 10 million annually, equating to a total cost of ~$60 m ....Given the current cost-price squeeze, the WA FRAB and the WRL Industry have highlighted business improvement/cost competitiveness within the fishing industry as a priority for research. For the WRL fishery, this situation has resulted primarily from a relatively static beach price for lobster and increasing fuel, labour and other input costs. A major driver for input costs in this fishery is the number of pot lifts, which is currently about 10 million annually, equating to a total cost of ~$60 million (average cost per potlift - $6.00). This is one area where input costs may be reduced.
The fishery currently has strict controls on the pot characteristics to maintain equity among participants and to ensure exploitation rates remain constant. By improving the catching efficiency of the pots the same annual landings could be achieved with a far lower number of pot lifts. For example, an increase in the fishing efficiency of a lobster pot by 10-20% would reduce pot lifts by 10-20% and return to the industry a minimum cost saving in excess of $3-6 million annually. An industry based working group will aim to develop more efficient pots which will provide additional cost savings in fuel and bait usage.
The decision to use more efficient pots could be undertaken at an individual fisher level, but this requires robust conversion rates for any modified design(s) to ensure that the integrity of the fishery's input based management system is not compromised.
Objectives: 1. To provide industry with the blueprint(s) of one or many pots that catch target size western rocklobster in a more efficient manner 2. To provide industry with estimates of the cost savings that would be achieved in the the WRLF through the adoption of a more efficient pot 3. To optimise the economic efficiency of industry stakeholders without adversely affecting the exploitation rate Read moreRead less