The changing marketplace and production profile of rock lobster internationally dictates that the Australian rock lobster industry applies state of the art technology in management, research and development, if we are to maintain a competitive position and grow the value of the limited resource.
At present no vehicle exists to allow industry an effective interchange of ideas or to consider leading edge research and development from around the globe. Essentially the Australian lobster i ....The changing marketplace and production profile of rock lobster internationally dictates that the Australian rock lobster industry applies state of the art technology in management, research and development, if we are to maintain a competitive position and grow the value of the limited resource.
At present no vehicle exists to allow industry an effective interchange of ideas or to consider leading edge research and development from around the globe. Essentially the Australian lobster industries operate in isolation, disjointed by State borders.
The Tri-State Southern Rock Lobster Conference has historically seen ad hoc attempts made to bring industry together. The conference has evolved into a quasi national event with representatives from most States and New Zealand in attendance, although the primary focus on the jasus edwardsii lobster remains a deficiency.
An outcome of the most recent Tri-State Conference, was a call for a National Lobster Conference including all States and species not covered, to establish a forum for industry Australia wide to make a start at building a national focus on management, marketing, development and problem solving.
At present information flow in these areas are localised trickles at best and the industry has a responsibility to upgrade its role in information exchange. Objectives: 1. Provide an International Class Lobster Industry Congress 2. To Ensure a Financially Viable Event Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Identifying Indigenous Business Opportunities In The Recreational Fishing Tourism Industry On Cape York Peninsula
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$67,500.00
Summary
Modern tourism markets are hungry for indigenous content and Cape York Peninsula (CYP) has the potential to become a leader in catering to these markets. Figures from the Coen Biosecurity vehicle counter reveal a 250% increase in traffic on CYP in the past 5 years, a statistic that indicates the time is right for indigenous communities to become involved. There is an urgent need for enterprise development opportunities to be identified and potential personnel to be supported. All governm ....Modern tourism markets are hungry for indigenous content and Cape York Peninsula (CYP) has the potential to become a leader in catering to these markets. Figures from the Coen Biosecurity vehicle counter reveal a 250% increase in traffic on CYP in the past 5 years, a statistic that indicates the time is right for indigenous communities to become involved. There is an urgent need for enterprise development opportunities to be identified and potential personnel to be supported. All government and community agencies approached agreed that addressing this need is long overdue and requires immediate action. This has to be achieved within the constraints of seasonal conditions that severely restrict CYP access from December to May each year. Recreational fishing tourism has already been identified by various surveys as having major economic importance on CYP, particularly to the Weipa and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) economies. Extending this market based on the capacity to build on the knowledge and experience of local indigenous people has already been suggested by visiting clientele in anticipation of an enriched CYP fishing experience. Similar enthusiasm has been shown from those involved in ecotourism orientated activities, that, for the purposes of this report, will be included with recreational fishing tourism, given that infrastructure is often shared. Establishing a comprehensive data base that would provide a platform for government and communities to address the empowerment of CYP indigenous communities via recreational fishing and ecotourism opportunities is obviously a significant step in getting the process underway and should be completed at the earliest opportunity - the 2011 dry season. This confirms the tactical nature of this project that seeks to investigate, identify and document current and future opportunities leading to the development and coordination of an indigenous recreational fishing tourism market sector for Cape York Peninsula.
Objectives: 1. To identify indigenous enterprise development opportunities within the fishing charter and associated tourism industry on Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait 2. Identify current indigenous tourism industry status 3. To identify trends and opportunities for indigenous tourism on Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait 4. To identify barriers and solutions to indigenous tourism on Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait 5. To recommend solutions to the development of Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait tourism that are both general and community specific Read moreRead less
Developing Integrated Performance Measures For Spatial Management Of Marine Systems
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$805,294.00
Summary
The need to report on the ecologically sustainable use of marine systems, that have been ‘zoned’ at a variety of spatial and temporal scales is gaining considerable support in Australia and world-wide. MPAs and other spatial management arrangements are being introduced in most Australian management jurisdictions through the NRSMPA process and at the Commonwealth level through Regional Marine Planning under Oceans Policy. Clearly, spatial management, particularly expressed as MPAs, is here to s ....The need to report on the ecologically sustainable use of marine systems, that have been ‘zoned’ at a variety of spatial and temporal scales is gaining considerable support in Australia and world-wide. MPAs and other spatial management arrangements are being introduced in most Australian management jurisdictions through the NRSMPA process and at the Commonwealth level through Regional Marine Planning under Oceans Policy. Clearly, spatial management, particularly expressed as MPAs, is here to stay. For example FRDC suggests that nations will set targets such as 20% of the coastal zone for high degrees of protection through MPAs (FRDC R&D Plan 2000-2005).
The objectives of MPAs are usually to achieve ESD for the regional ecosystem and for the various sectoral users of the ecosystem. For example, the benefits to fisheries are often listed to be to increase the spawning biomass, to act as an insurance policy against fishery management errors, to protect critical habitats to damp ecosystem wide fluctuatons and to provide reference sites to be used in fishery resource assessments. However, while some studies have shown that the harvesting regimes for specific areas within a system can change biomass, density, size of organisms, quality of habitats and species diversity, the causes of the extent and nature of these changes at various spatial and temporal scales impedes the selection of performance indicators.
The use of MPAs is a relatively new approach to marine management and is at a very early stage of development. For example the use of other management tools includes the use of performance assessment and the triggering of management responses under different circumstances. In fisheries this is commonly through the periodic review of catch or fishing effort levels in relation to stock condition. The policy descriptions of the use of MPAs and spatial management, for example in Oceans Policy also makes reference to the use of such adaptive management, but the methodology to enable and guide this has not net been developed. This was highlighted at the recent World Congress on Aquatic Protected Areas and FRDC’s workshop on R & D priorities where it was clear that the current state of the science limits the ability for performance assessment.
It is not yet clear under what circumstances specific areas within large systems contribute to the system as a whole, and the way in which large system behaviour influences areas within it . Globally spatial area management, as illustrated by MPAs, is receiving considerable attention as ‘new’ tool to control over-exploitation of fish stocks (eg Pauly et al 2002). In a recent review Ward et al (2000) state that there are “...very few examples where benefits to a fishery (as opposed to the closed area ) have been well studied and documented”. Similar conclusions are being drawn in other reviews currently appearing (e.g. Halpern in press). Socio-economic impacts are even less well studied (Sanchirico 2000).
Without such performance assessment managers and resource users may become locked into sub-optimal management arrangments, and if MPAs and other area management arrangements are not working as intended then achieving goals such as Ecologically Sustainable Development may be unknowingly at risk. Consequently, even with objectives that are clearly defined and agreed by all stakeholders, the most challenging work still remains as how to evaluate performance.
Victoria is committed to range of activities to ensure marine systems are managed for ecological sustainability. Recent initiative include reforms to the management of abalone, rock lobster and the establishment of marine protected areas, these together with National Oceans Office planning for the South-East Region, provides a major opportunity for this work to be undertaken. In addition, the NOO have identified integrating fisheries spatial management and MPAs as an action in the South East Regional Marine Plan.
This project does not address whether or not there should be MPAs rather it is designed to develop an effective means to assess the performance of the system and the MPA within it. We will build on previous work but more importantly extend the scope to include fishery ecosystem considerations as well as direct impacts on target species and biodiversity. Objectives: 1. Through an analysis of monitoring data from existing marine system management egimes (including MPAs) and an identification of observational approaches that are available to be used, develop simple biophysical and management models of impact and response at various spatial scales. 2. Use these models to develop and evaluate measures to report performance for specified management objectives particularly in respect of power to detect change. Read moreRead less
An Evaluation Of The Beeton Review On Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$26,000.00
Summary
This research is necessary to address many priorities under FRDC strategic RD&E themes. The project will: “provide information to the community to demonstrate improvements in the fishing industry’s environmental performance” (Theme 2. Habitat and ecosystem protection) and “incorporate understandings of the cumulative impacts of fishing into fisheries management plans” (Theme 4. Ecologically sustainable development) via detailed and careful evaluation of the potential and real threats of fishing ....This research is necessary to address many priorities under FRDC strategic RD&E themes. The project will: “provide information to the community to demonstrate improvements in the fishing industry’s environmental performance” (Theme 2. Habitat and ecosystem protection) and “incorporate understandings of the cumulative impacts of fishing into fisheries management plans” (Theme 4. Ecologically sustainable development) via detailed and careful evaluation of the potential and real threats of fishing to the marine environment. In addition, ’user-friendly’ versions of the publications will “better inform the community’s perceptions of the industry and to increase support for the industry”. The possibilities for better presenting Australia’s credentials as responsible fisheries managers will be enhanced.
One of the goals of AFMA as outlined in their Corporate Plan 2010-2014 is to improve the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of fisheries administration (this concept is echoed in all Australian states and territories but the actual wording differs). The research proposed here will provide an evaluation of the degree to which fishing does actually represent a threat to marine biodiversity and the cost-effectiveness of traditional fisheries management for ameliorating that threat(s) compared as far as possible with the threats to biodiversity and fisheries from other sources. This will be vital to clarifying the current confusion between fisheries management and biodiversity conservation. These assessments are critical to improving fisheries management strategies and making them more cost-effective and proportionate to environmental problems (a requirement of the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment). In light of national commitments to establish a comprehensive system of representative marine protected areas by 2012, peer-reviewed publications will prove an invaluable and urgently needed tool to defend the credentials of the Australian fishing industry and to more appropriately position fishing interests in the decision making process.
Ref: AFMA (2010). Corporate Plan 2010-2014. Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Canberra Objectives: 1. Investigate cases of real threats from fishing to fish stocks and/or biodiversity more generally in Australian waters, and alternative management strategies for sustainable fishing and the recovery of populations and areas that have been previously overfished. 2. Assess and discuss the threats to marine biodiversity from non-fishing related activities and the management strategies (or lack thereof) to combat these. This will include consideration of the principles of cost and effectiveness of potential amelioration strategies for fishing and non-fishing related activities (note, it will not be within the scope of this project to carry out cost-benefit analyses for individual strategies or fisheries). 3. Align the accepted benefits of ‘reserves’ where all fishing is excluded (such as for scientific reference points) with realistic expectations for ‘off-reserve’ benefits and the degree to which area management is an appropriate ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management for individual fisheries across the whole area of selected fisheries. Read moreRead less
FRDC-DCCEE: Adapting To The Effects Of Climate Change On Australia’s Deep Marine Reserves
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$89,326.72
Summary
Australia’s highly endemic deep-water coral communities are under a current and accelerating threat of being squeezed out of existence, between seamount summits typically deeper than 1000 m. and carbonate levels that are falling and pushing the saturation horizon towards the surface. This horizon, below which the reef-forming corals apparently cannot grow (Guinotte et al., Front. Ecol. Env. Sci., 2006), has already shoaled by 50-130 m in the last 200 years due to industrial CO2 emissions (Thresh ....Australia’s highly endemic deep-water coral communities are under a current and accelerating threat of being squeezed out of existence, between seamount summits typically deeper than 1000 m. and carbonate levels that are falling and pushing the saturation horizon towards the surface. This horizon, below which the reef-forming corals apparently cannot grow (Guinotte et al., Front. Ecol. Env. Sci., 2006), has already shoaled by 50-130 m in the last 200 years due to industrial CO2 emissions (Thresher, et al., ms). Under-saturated water is likely already encroaching on the reef, which recent surveys found is just below the current saturation horizon (Thresher, et al., ms), and not above it, as expected. There is real risk that the reef is already stressed and may even be dying. The problem will only get worse. Under a “business-as-usual” scenario, even the tops of the seamounts will be under-saturated in the next 50-100 years. With nowhere to go, Australia’s cold-water reefs could “simply disappear” (Poloczanka, el al., Ann. Rev. Oceanog. Mar. Biol., 2007). There are presently no adaptation strategies for dealing with this threat, nor even any research on strategies, even though it challenges the key objectives of the SE Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network, and the survival of deep-sea reefs globally. This project, developed in consultation with DEWHA, will evaluate the magnitude of the threat to Australia’s key reef-forming species, and identify and test management options for adapting to it. It addresses NARP priorities for determining ecosystem vulnerability and the feasibility of intervention and adaptation strategies. Objectives: 1. 1. To develop practical options for DEWHA to manage the impacts of climate change on the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve 2. 2. To develop a generic model that can be applied to forecasting the impacts of climate change on other deep sea biota Read moreRead less
Review Of Structural And Funding Options For A Peak Body For The Queensland Seafood Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$66,132.10
Summary
The Queensland Fishing Industry is at a critical point where, due to a number of circumstances, it no longer has an effective peak organisation to represent the interests of industry at large. The situation has become untenable from the viewpoint of industry trying to deal with ever increasing changes in the regulatory and marketing arenas.
Furthermore, industry needs a body to respond to increasing demands from various NGOs continually raising sustainability issues. It is considere ....The Queensland Fishing Industry is at a critical point where, due to a number of circumstances, it no longer has an effective peak organisation to represent the interests of industry at large. The situation has become untenable from the viewpoint of industry trying to deal with ever increasing changes in the regulatory and marketing arenas.
Furthermore, industry needs a body to respond to increasing demands from various NGOs continually raising sustainability issues. It is considered that the creation of a peak body to represent all sectors of the fishing industry within the State would be an effective method for industry to achieve positive outcomes through a consultative approach with fishery policy makers and other NGOs. It should be noted that the current State Government is supportive of the concept as they are experiencing great difficulty in discussing issues with industry stakeholders whilst it remains in its current disjointed form.
To commence the process of forming a peak industry body, there is a need to get input from a wide range of industry to discuss potential peak body structures and funding options and consider possible strategies/processes in creating a peak body. It is proposed that an independent consultant (with background industry knowledge) be used to liaise with stakeholders throughout the State regarding the concept of a peak body. Objectives: 1. Prepare a short review of structure and funding models used for other industry associations 2. Conduct an initial workshop to develop a preferred option for a Queensland peak body structure and funding 3. Liaise with key fishing and seafood industry members throughout regional Queensland to discuss the preferred option 4. Conduct a final workshop to agree on peak body structure and funding process and develop an implementation plan and working group Read moreRead less
A Coordinated Commercial Fishing Industry Approach To The Use Of Marine Protected Areas
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$4,285.00
Summary
The numerous government initiatives related to resource access, mentioned in the Background to this application have, in the main, been prepared by groups of professionals working for months or years with the support of considerable government infrastructure. This is appropriate for issues of such significance. What is not appropriate is that draft policies are headed for finalisation without due input from the group most effected, the fishing industry.
The industry will of course res ....The numerous government initiatives related to resource access, mentioned in the Background to this application have, in the main, been prepared by groups of professionals working for months or years with the support of considerable government infrastructure. This is appropriate for issues of such significance. What is not appropriate is that draft policies are headed for finalisation without due input from the group most effected, the fishing industry.
The industry will of course respond most positively to proposals for conservation and management of resources which lead to greater certainty for healthy and prosperous fisheries resources and ecosystems which support them. But, to do so, all levels of industry need to understand the principles of these proposals and be convinced of the merit of the logic which underpins them. For issues as fundamental as access to fishing grounds extensive and intensive consultation and debate must be anticipated. For peak bodies to coordinate the compliance and support necessary for the cost-effective implementation of new management strategies the great majority of fishers must back the initiatives. For a new national initiative such as NRSMPA industry must be coordinated nationally.
Support from the majority of fishers will be dependent upon clear and unambiguous answers to questions which currently cloud understanding of the efficacy of using MPA’s as resource conservation and allocation tools.
Questions which researchers, and many resource managers would like answered include:
How do we accommodate series of isolated, closed areas within the broader context of the total ecosystem management (Total Catchment Management) necessary for efficient and cost effective resource conservation, utilisation and allocation?
Is the restriction of access by groups primarily a resource allocation (fisheries management by AFMA or State agencies) issue or biodiversity conservation (Environment Australia)?
What are the implications for further utilisation of the multiple-use model of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) for which Australia has received international acclaim?
Questions to which industry must have answers in order to deliver orderly harvest of our seafood resources include:
Is concern over access to protected areas (resource access) being confused by industry and Government with security of long-term access to maximum sustainable yields (resource security)?
Is the principle of (maximum) economic efficiency (AFMA) compromised by restriction of access to areas (MPA) closed for reasons other than efficient yield management?
Questions which industry itself must address if it is to fully understand the principles and then provide full support to the design, implementation, monitoring and adaptive management of a national system of MPA’s include:
What contribution can industry make to the selection of areas which justify categorisation as representative, or which may need some form of protection for other purposes? Can an area which is unique (such as the one spawning or nesting area) be “representative”? If not is there also a need for a series of “unique protected areas”?
What protection is required for each of these areas and what impact will such measures have on current and future seafood supplies and on activities of the fishing industry?
Will industry be required to meet totally, or contribute to, enforcement or other management costs associated with protected areas?
What data and/or other assistance can industry provide to help assess the effectiveness of protection, and the impact of protection on the ecosystem?
What measures are necessary within the industry to ensure understanding by all of the role of MPA’s, and to engender full cooperation and support for the appropriate use of MPA’s?
The numerous state and national peak bodies do not all have permanent staff with training and expertise to respond immediately and appropriately to the numerous Government initiatives which affect resource security and allocation. When shifts in Government policy are likely industry is compelled to employ consultants or submit project proposals to potential funding sources, such as FRDC. The latter process normally results in more considered and more professional outputs and therefore better quality advice to industry, but unfortunately requires several months lead time for submission of applications and often years to complete the task. Therefore with an issue as fundamental as the principles of access to areas of resource distribution, it is essential to take a national approach and to be given time to prepare a considered and positive response which has the support of at least the majority of fishers.
Access to the resource is of fundamental concern to both commercial and recreational users of this resource; the principles of restricted access to areas as a conservation or management tool are relevant to both groups. The common interest is acknowledged, however this project has arisen directly from state and national peak commercial industry bodies and has been designed to specifically assess policy impacts on commercial industries. It is proposed that the project proceed with commercial industry focus until at least the end of first year, at which time a major milestone report is envisaged. This would allow FRDC to consult with recreational fishing interests and then, if appropriate, negotiate including additional recreational perspectives with the Steering Committee. Objectives: 1. To assist national and State fishing industry bodies with the development of a positive response to Government initiatives to increase the use of marine protected areas (MPA) for conservation and management. 2. To compare the objectives and implementation strategies of the numerous Government policies on marine resource use and conservation and prepare an assessment of their collective impacts on fishing industries. 3. To provide a concise and easily understood summary of the advantages and disadvantages to commercial fishers of present and proposed policies on MPA’s. 4. To facilitate the development of a strategy to promote sustainable resource use as an objective of future use of MPA’s. 5. To assist with the development of a nationwide fishing industry strategy to identify areas which could be included in future resource management by the use of MPA’s. 6. To develop guidelines for industry involvement in monitoring the effectiveness of MPA’s. Read moreRead less
A Coordinated Commercial Fishing Industry Approach To The Use Of Marine Protected Areas
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$4,285.00
Summary
The numerous government initiatives related to resource access, mentioned in the Background to this application have, in the main, been prepared by groups of professionals working for months or years with the support of considerable government infrastructure. This is appropriate for issues of such significance. What is not appropriate is that draft policies are headed for finalisation without due input from the group most effected, the fishing industry.
The industry will of course res ....The numerous government initiatives related to resource access, mentioned in the Background to this application have, in the main, been prepared by groups of professionals working for months or years with the support of considerable government infrastructure. This is appropriate for issues of such significance. What is not appropriate is that draft policies are headed for finalisation without due input from the group most effected, the fishing industry.
The industry will of course respond most positively to proposals for conservation and management of resources which lead to greater certainty for healthy and prosperous fisheries resources and ecosystems which support them. But, to do so, all levels of industry need to understand the principles of these proposals and be convinced of the merit of the logic which underpins them. For issues as fundamental as access to fishing grounds extensive and intensive consultation and debate must be anticipated. For peak bodies to coordinate the compliance and support necessary for the cost-effective implementation of new management strategies the great majority of fishers must back the initiatives. For a new national initiative such as NRSMPA industry must be coordinated nationally.
Support from the majority of fishers will be dependent upon clear and unambiguous answers to questions which currently cloud understanding of the efficacy of using MPA’s as resource conservation and allocation tools.
Questions which researchers, and many resource managers would like answered include:
How do we accommodate series of isolated, closed areas within the broader context of the total ecosystem management (Total Catchment Management) necessary for efficient and cost effective resource conservation, utilisation and allocation?
Is the restriction of access by groups primarily a resource allocation (fisheries management by AFMA or State agencies) issue or biodiversity conservation (Environment Australia)?
What are the implications for further utilisation of the multiple-use model of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) for which Australia has received international acclaim?
Questions to which industry must have answers in order to deliver orderly harvest of our seafood resources include:
Is concern over access to protected areas (resource access) being confused by industry and Government with security of long-term access to maximum sustainable yields (resource security)?
Is the principle of (maximum) economic efficiency (AFMA) compromised by restriction of access to areas (MPA) closed for reasons other than efficient yield management?
Questions which industry itself must address if it is to fully understand the principles and then provide full support to the design, implementation, monitoring and adaptive management of a national system of MPA’s include:
What contribution can industry make to the selection of areas which justify categorisation as representative, or which may need some form of protection for other purposes? Can an area which is unique (such as the one spawning or nesting area) be “representative”? If not is there also a need for a series of “unique protected areas”?
What protection is required for each of these areas and what impact will such measures have on current and future seafood supplies and on activities of the fishing industry?
Will industry be required to meet totally, or contribute to, enforcement or other management costs associated with protected areas?
What data and/or other assistance can industry provide to help assess the effectiveness of protection, and the impact of protection on the ecosystem?
What measures are necessary within the industry to ensure understanding by all of the role of MPA’s, and to engender full cooperation and support for the appropriate use of MPA’s?
The numerous state and national peak bodies do not all have permanent staff with training and expertise to respond immediately and appropriately to the numerous Government initiatives which affect resource security and allocation. When shifts in Government policy are likely industry is compelled to employ consultants or submit project proposals to potential funding sources, such as FRDC. The latter process normally results in more considered and more professional outputs and therefore better quality advice to industry, but unfortunately requires several months lead time for submission of applications and often years to complete the task. Therefore with an issue as fundamental as the principles of access to areas of resource distribution, it is essential to take a national approach and to be given time to prepare a considered and positive response which has the support of at least the majority of fishers.
Access to the resource is of fundamental concern to both commercial and recreational users of this resource; the principles of restricted access to areas as a conservation or management tool are relevant to both groups. The common interest is acknowledged, however this project has arisen directly from state and national peak commercial industry bodies and has been designed to specifically assess policy impacts on commercial industries. It is proposed that the project proceed with commercial industry focus until at least the end of first year, at which time a major milestone report is envisaged. This would allow FRDC to consult with recreational fishing interests and then, if appropriate, negotiate including additional recreational perspectives with the Steering Committee. Objectives: 1. To assist national and State fishing industry bodies with the development of a positive response to Government initiatives to increase the use of marine protected areas (MPA) for conservation and management. 2. To compare the objectives and implementation strategies of the numerous Government policies on marine resource use and conservation and prepare an assessment of their collective impacts on fishing industries. 3. To provide a concise and easily understood summary of the advantages and disadvantages to commercial fishers of present and proposed policies on MPA’s. 4. To facilitate the development of a strategy to promote sustainable resource use as an objective of future use of MPA’s. 5. To assist with the development of a nationwide fishing industry strategy to identify areas which could be included in future resource management by the use of MPA’s. 6. To develop guidelines for industry involvement in monitoring the effectiveness of MPA’s. Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: New South Wales Angler Access Forum & Workshop
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Need for a workshop
In recent times recreational anglers have experienced a combination of circumstances that have been eroding, or threatening to erode, their overall access to this which is one of the most highly sought after recreational pursuits in Australia. Without evidence to suggest any order of priority, these circumstances generally can best be summed up as resulting from the likes of the following events:-
Marine Parks and National Parks restrictions Water Autho ....Need for a workshop
In recent times recreational anglers have experienced a combination of circumstances that have been eroding, or threatening to erode, their overall access to this which is one of the most highly sought after recreational pursuits in Australia. Without evidence to suggest any order of priority, these circumstances generally can best be summed up as resulting from the likes of the following events:-
Marine Parks and National Parks restrictions Water Authorities Lands Department Proposed Government sales Primary producers denial to accessing streams, rivers and impoundments Environmental group representations on threatened species or those under threat Industrial pollution causing no-go or restricted fishing areas Environmental impacts, and High levels of water extraction by irrigators, mining organisations,
The NSW population participating in fishing appears to have dropped alarmingly from 30% to 20% of the total population, the 2003 National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey produced figures estimating 3.36 million Australians fished annually in 2000, with 30% being in NSW.
The national total recreational boat ownership was then listed as 925,466, with again the largest number of 307,813 being in NSW. In addition, overseas tourists who fished in Australia totaled just fewer than 200,000 in 2001.
To demonstrate the economic significance of recreational fishing the 2003 Survey stated the expenditure attributable to recreational fishing as being $1,85M for 2001, $554.2M being in NSW.
With this much at stake in terms of investment and participation, there is clearly a need to address issues.
Access is identified as a national priority for research and investment by Recfishing Research (a joint initiative of Recfish Australia and FRDC) as well as other peak representative organisation R&D strategies including VRFish (Victoria's peak recreational fishing body).
Objectives: 1. Clearly establish what the law and entitlements are in fact for NSW and Recreational Fishers. 2. Establish by example the status quo elsewhere around Australia and in New Zealand 3. Establish what is currently being imposed and by whom in NSW 4. Develop a strategy to secure future Access Rights for Recreational Fishing 5. Arrive at recommendations that will improve and safeguard Recreational Fishing Access within a sustainable and well protected environment while safeguarding the Rights of all concerned. 6. Identify new recreational fishing opportunities with secure access and rights Read moreRead less
People Development Program: Aquatic Animal Health Training Scheme - Marianne Douglas
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$3,340.88
Summary
The Molecular Biology group at the Animal Health Laboratory of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment, provides diagnostic and disease investigation services for aquaculture industries in Tasmania. The increasing reliance on molecular techniques for the detection and identification of disease agents in aquatic animal health is undeniable. Due to the ever increasing number and more efficient molecular techniques becoming available and the dynamic nature of newly emerging ....The Molecular Biology group at the Animal Health Laboratory of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment, provides diagnostic and disease investigation services for aquaculture industries in Tasmania. The increasing reliance on molecular techniques for the detection and identification of disease agents in aquatic animal health is undeniable. Due to the ever increasing number and more efficient molecular techniques becoming available and the dynamic nature of newly emerging pathogens, specialist training is increasingly important for the delivery of effective and useful services to aquaculture. Presently, species identification relies heavily on biochemical tests and cellular fatty acid analysis, or 16S rDNA gene sequencing, all of which at times can be non-definitive. Multi-locus sequence analysis uses several housekeeping genes to assign a species designations, and is a technique that is easy to use, accurate, and has great discriminatory power (McTaggart et al., 2010). The multi locus sequencing skills acquired would enable us to more specifically and accurately perform species identification and determine genetic diversity among different isolates and build up a gene bank of sequences in the future. Objectives: 1. Obtain training in advanced molecular biology techniques with an emphasis on DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis at a known international specialist laboratory 2. Undertake training in bioinformatics programmes with an emphasis on Multilocus Sequence Analysis (MLSA) at a known international specialist laboratory Read moreRead less