Application Of A Machine Learning Approach For Effective Stock Management Of Farmed Abalone
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$115,649.00
Summary
Determining the number and size distribution of abalone present at various stages of production is critical information for effective stock management. Currently the Australian abalone aquaculture industry spends in the order of $25,000 per annum, per farm, gathering this information by hand. However, the resulting data is of mediocre quality, is limited in its scope, and collecting the data causes stress to the animals (as it is removed from the water) which can compromise growth and survival. ....Determining the number and size distribution of abalone present at various stages of production is critical information for effective stock management. Currently the Australian abalone aquaculture industry spends in the order of $25,000 per annum, per farm, gathering this information by hand. However, the resulting data is of mediocre quality, is limited in its scope, and collecting the data causes stress to the animals (as it is removed from the water) which can compromise growth and survival. Automated counting and measuring of abalone will increase farm efficiency and productivity in the short term and, in the longer term, will provide an advanced platform for further R & D improvements including accurate data collection during experimental trials (e.g. feeds, temperature). Artificial intelligence and machine learning has now matured to a point that accurately counting and measuring abalone is possible using this approach, however specific application to the abalone industry is yet to be achieved. This project would involve the development, training and validation of a machine learning model to identify, segment and measure quantitative abalone traits in production systems and, render the product data to be accessible and applicable for farmers. Objectives: 1. To develop and implement artificial intelligence as a method for accurately measuring and counting abalone at nursery, weaning and grow out. Read moreRead less
ARDC: Food Security Data Challenges: Increasing Food Security Through Liberation Of Fishing And Aquaculture Data
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,001,708.12
Summary
The development of digital and data systems (DSS) across fisheries & aquaculture, as well as the agriculture sector more broadly is disparate. How data is collected, how it is stored, and how it can subsequently be used is greatly influenced by factors such as sector digital maturity, or available funding to develop (or upgrade) DSS.
This project seeks to develop a national fisheries and aquaculture data ingestion and storage system (Activity 1), ensuring that information derived from f ....The development of digital and data systems (DSS) across fisheries & aquaculture, as well as the agriculture sector more broadly is disparate. How data is collected, how it is stored, and how it can subsequently be used is greatly influenced by factors such as sector digital maturity, or available funding to develop (or upgrade) DSS.
This project seeks to develop a national fisheries and aquaculture data ingestion and storage system (Activity 1), ensuring that information derived from fisheries and aquaculture activities is findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR). The ingestion and storage system will be bolstered by a complementary data catalogue (detailing the data sets available on the platform) (Activity 2) and analytical tools (able to gain insights without moving data outside the storage platform) (Activity 6). The platform will be underpinned by metadata (Activity 3) and a robust governance framework (Activity 4). Use of the system will be tested through 3 case studies, supporting capacity and capability improvement of the sector (Activity 5).
The production of and use of data cuts across industry and government, and covers activities throughout the fisheries supply chain (from pre-fishing quota management, to post-fishing processing and subsequent traceability). Consequently there is no one organisation across fishing and aquaculture that is best placed to co-ordinate and trial this technology. FRDC is capable to the leadership required to ensure a fit for purpose product for end users, additionally the leverage of Australia Research Data Commons investment will contribute to the development of a nationally coherent eResearch infrastructure
This project received investment from the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). The ARDC is funded by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). Objectives: 1. Develop a new cloud-based fisheries data storage platform to enable ingestion, management, and sharing of datasets 2. Develop a CKAN-based data catalogue, a searchable fisheries data source allowing users to browse, combine, share, and access exchangeable data assets 3. Create best practice metadata standards that will be identified, documented, and then operationalised through the data catalogue and storage platform 4. Develop and operationalise a fisheries-focused data governance framework 5. Enhance capacity and capacity to use the platform through demonstration of 3 unique case studies 6. Develop use-case relevant suite of reporting and analysis tools to allow researchers to gain insights without moving data outside the storage platform Read moreRead less
Parallel and Distributed Machine Learning - Smart Data Analysis in the Multicore Era. In large data centres our research will lead to reduced energy consumption by using graphics cards which have a much better computation to power ratio than traditional processors. On desktop computers, it will make machine learning practical by enabling efficient algorithms for spam filtering and content analysis. On networked systems it will lead to distributed inference, caching and collaborative filtering ap ....Parallel and Distributed Machine Learning - Smart Data Analysis in the Multicore Era. In large data centres our research will lead to reduced energy consumption by using graphics cards which have a much better computation to power ratio than traditional processors. On desktop computers, it will make machine learning practical by enabling efficient algorithms for spam filtering and content analysis. On networked systems it will lead to distributed inference, caching and collaborative filtering applications which will both reduced the bandwidth required and make the internet safer for users. Finally, it will enable rapid deployment of sensor networks for monitoring and detection, such as for environmental monitoring and safeguarding Australia's borders.Read moreRead less
Investigating The Use Of A Remote Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROUV) For Surveying Abalone On Reefs In The Western Zone Abalone Fishery, Victoria.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$160,000.00
Summary
Provide a tactical and strategic response to the recent outbreak. Develop a cost effective assessment tool to validate the spread of the virus and build a long term mechanism to undertake fisheries independent surveys. Objectives: 1. To validate a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROUV) survey tool 2. Assess options to integrate video from ROUV technology and other sources with existing diver data to develop fisheries independent surveys 3. To validate non surveye ....Provide a tactical and strategic response to the recent outbreak. Develop a cost effective assessment tool to validate the spread of the virus and build a long term mechanism to undertake fisheries independent surveys. Objectives: 1. To validate a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROUV) survey tool 2. Assess options to integrate video from ROUV technology and other sources with existing diver data to develop fisheries independent surveys 3. To validate non surveyed abalone populations Read moreRead less
Developing Biomass Assessment Approaches, Harvest Methodologies And Biosecurity Knowledge For Wild-harvest Of Seaweeds In Southern Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$576,519.00
Summary
After many years of interest but little on ground activity apart from a few established operations based on the harvest of beach-cast material, the seaweed industry is starting to gain momentum in southern Australia. There is particular interest in the farming of Asparagopsis for its methane reducing properties in ruminants, but also in several species for human consumption and other uses, including the golden kelp Ecklonia radiata. While much of the focus is on the development of an aquacultu ....After many years of interest but little on ground activity apart from a few established operations based on the harvest of beach-cast material, the seaweed industry is starting to gain momentum in southern Australia. There is particular interest in the farming of Asparagopsis for its methane reducing properties in ruminants, but also in several species for human consumption and other uses, including the golden kelp Ecklonia radiata. While much of the focus is on the development of an aquaculture industry, this needs to be supported by the wild harvest of seedstock, at least in the early years, and there is also some interest in wild-harvest for product. However, the knowledge base and tools available for managers to regulate this emerging industry are limited. This proposal aims to start filling in some of these gaps. The first is to develop an understanding of the biomass present in targeted areas, and importantly, the development of a rapid assessment tool to do this, which can then be used to form the basis of a stock assessment methodology as the industry expands. The second is to develop harvest methodologies that allow for the recovery of local stocks, and which can be used to inform rotational harvest strategies by documenting how long recovery takes. The third is to develop an understanding of some of the biosecurity issues likely to be faced by industry and regulators, which will allow managers to make informed decisions around translocation policies to both prevent the spread of disease, and to maintain the genetic integrity of natural populations. Objectives: 1. Develop a rapid assessment tool for species specific subtidal macroalgal biomass, initially for Asparagopsis armata, A. taxiformis and E. radiata. 2. Develop harvesting methods for the above species that ensure that local populations are not depleted, and that ecosystem function is not compromised. 3. Review literature on macroalgae diseases, pests, health management strategies and population structure. 4. Identify information and approaches to define health management units. 5. Collate information and build an initial basic approach to translocation. Read moreRead less
Wider Investigation Of The Use Of Video Survey Techniques To Determine Commercial Scallop Abundance In Inshore And Offshore Waters, Closed Areas And Juvenile Beds
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$355,509.00
Summary
Commercial scallop is fished by dredging in 3 jurisdictions, with Tasmania (TSF) and Victoria currently classified as depleted. The 3rd jurisdiction, the BSCZSF, closes some scallop beds to fishing while the rest of the fishery remains open for harvesting. The closed beds and the TAC are informed by an annual dredge survey. These surveys also give an indication of recruitment within the fishery. However, the size selectivity of the dredges is not considered in this process, which may result in a ....Commercial scallop is fished by dredging in 3 jurisdictions, with Tasmania (TSF) and Victoria currently classified as depleted. The 3rd jurisdiction, the BSCZSF, closes some scallop beds to fishing while the rest of the fishery remains open for harvesting. The closed beds and the TAC are informed by an annual dredge survey. These surveys also give an indication of recruitment within the fishery. However, the size selectivity of the dredges is not considered in this process, which may result in an under-estimation of recruitment. The need to minimise disturbance to juvenile beds to reduce mortality of small scallops through survey activities is also a consideration. Currently the only options for known juvenile scallop beds are to not survey them or to conduct a minimal number of dredge shots, noting that commercial dredges do not effectively sample juveniles. The TSF only opens a small area of the fishery following annual dredge surveys, with the remainder closed. However, the issue of the estimation of recruitment and sensitivity of juveniles to dredging during surveys and fishing is still relevant, as only those beds with > 80% legal sized scallops are opened. Comparison of TSF 2020 video survey results with dredge survey results demonstrated much greater size selectivity by scallop dredges for legal-sized scallops than was previously thought, such that relying on dredge surveys alone to inform management decisions may be jeopardising the sustainability of the fishery. Along with the need to define the size distribution of scallop beds more accurately within the fishing zones, both Tasmania and the Commonwealth have areas closed to scallop fishing that contain an unknown scallop biomass that may contribute to recruitment. AFMA and Tasmanian DPIPWE resource managers and industry members are committed to further investigating and optimising the use of towed video surveys to provide a survey method for both inshore and offshore waters to estimate both legal and sub-legal scallop density/biomass in fishery zones, as well as areas closed to dredging and known juvenile beds, which will in turn inform management decisions, such as area closures and setting of TACs, and contribute to more sustainable fisheries. Objectives: 1. Undertake a Commercial Scallop Fisheries review and a targeted desktop study examining current approaches used for video survey of scallop stocks 2. Determine the best video survey approaches for the scale of the Commercial Scallop Fisheries and build and test multiple prototype video survey platforms 3. Undertake scallop video surveys in shallow inshore waters using the prototype video survey platforms and ground truth with diver and dredge surveys 4. Undertake data analysis trials, with the aim of developing partial machine learning solutions for data analysis 5. Apply learnings from inshore surveys and undertake an offshore video survey using the final video survey platform design and ground truth with a dredge survey 6. Synthesise results, compare dredge and video survey methods, propose an optimal design of a video survey platform and data analysis regime for commercial scallops in both inshore and offshore waters, and develop pathways to adoption Read moreRead less
Investigate Oceanographic And Environmental Factors Impacting On The ETBF
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
As specified in the FRDC call for proposals, there is a need for AFMA, its advisory committees and the ETBF industry to gain a much stronger understanding of past, current and potential future oceanographic and environmental impacts upon (i) the spatial and temporal distribution and level of ETBF catches, catch rates, fishing effort and fish sizes (particularly those indicators used in the ETBF harvest strategy), and (ii) the interactions between focal species in the ETBF with domestic (e.g. rec ....As specified in the FRDC call for proposals, there is a need for AFMA, its advisory committees and the ETBF industry to gain a much stronger understanding of past, current and potential future oceanographic and environmental impacts upon (i) the spatial and temporal distribution and level of ETBF catches, catch rates, fishing effort and fish sizes (particularly those indicators used in the ETBF harvest strategy), and (ii) the interactions between focal species in the ETBF with domestic (e.g. recreational) and international fisheries. We have established relationships with regional partners, and pending endorsement, which will allow comprehensive collation of catch and tracking data for the focal species, such that habitat models for the whole region can be developed. This will permit hypotheses about movement of fish cohorts into the Australian region, and movements of these fish within the Australian EEZ to be tested.
This proposed research is needed to ensure the effectiveness (note, the ETBF already has a developed HS) and further development of appropriate management arrangements, including harvest strategies and resource sharing arrangements. It will complement current genetic research into stock structure and connectivity, with implications for harvest strategies and potentially Australia’s position on key management issues and approaches being considered or developed in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). By collating data from the countries in the south-west Pacific Ocean and New Zealand regions, we will seek to understand patterns in regional abundance. Importantly, this project will provide insights into potential long term changes in the ETBF that may result from climate change, and deliver forecasting capability on seasonal and decadal time scales. We will identify the influence of any large scale oceanographic drivers on availability of these key species in Australian waters, such as the strength of the East Australia Current, or the teleconnections resulting from ENSO events.
Objectives: 1. Enhance AFMA and industry understanding of influence of climate-ocean system drivers upon the spatial and temporal variability of key ETBF species. 2. Develop and deliver predictive models at seasonal and decadal time scales to assist management and industry planning 3. Provide operational forecasts of habitat distribution for Australia and the regional partners within the life of the project 4. Inform harvest and allocation discussions at national and international scales Read moreRead less