Australian Council Of Prawn Fishers Industry Partnership Agreement - Environment RD&E Program
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,103,000.00
Summary
Australia's commitment to 30% of marine protected area by 2030 in response to global concern about ocean health has focussed scrutiny directly on Australia's commercial net fishing sector. The handling of the Macquarie Island Marine Park announcement followed by the closure of gill net fishing in Qld in 2023 and marine protection proposals in WA have all challenged the commercial fishing sector's reliance on objective, risk based, scientific fisheries management and resource allocation. The fo ....Australia's commitment to 30% of marine protected area by 2030 in response to global concern about ocean health has focussed scrutiny directly on Australia's commercial net fishing sector. The handling of the Macquarie Island Marine Park announcement followed by the closure of gill net fishing in Qld in 2023 and marine protection proposals in WA have all challenged the commercial fishing sector's reliance on objective, risk based, scientific fisheries management and resource allocation. The focus on the commercial fishing sector appears incongruous to Australia’s effectiveness addressing greater impacts on coastal and marine health as identified in the five yearly Statement of Environment reports.
Australia's prawn trawl sector must continue its front-footed environmental stewardship actions to address Net Zero targets and the proposed Nature Positive Act. The ACPF must now build on its transparent community engagement activity with further investment as evidence of the sector's priorities. The ACPF's concerted community engagement activity commenced under FRDC Project 2018/172 and continued under the ACPF's 2021-2026 Community Engagement Plan. The sector must continue to actively reduce trawl impact at the same time as demonstrate its outstanding sustainability credentials as a food supplier.
The project invests within the scope of the FRDC's Environment Program with delivery into Communities, People, Adoption and Industry Programs. The project delivers on the following ACPF RD&E strategic activities against ACPF's Strategic Goals:
Strategic activity: Reduce impacts of fishing on bycatch and the marine environment (and continue to identify environmental risks to natural resource access). ACPF + cross-jurisdiction. (Delivering against Goal 1: Sustainability; Ecological. Goal 2: Stewardship marine resources. Goal 5: Society and Consumers trust, respect and value.)
Strategic activity: Co-investment opportunities in ecosystem health, climate change, carbon footprint. (Delivering against Goal 2: Stewardship of marine and aquatic environments)
Strategic activity: Best practice/Responsible fishing practices communication. (Delivering against Goal 2: Stewardship of marine and aquatic environments)
Strategic activity: Profile RD&E addressing social licence risks. (Delivering against Goal 1: Sustainability; Social. Goal 2: Stewardship marine resources and aquatic environments. Goal 3. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking. Goal 4. Fair, equitable and secure access. Goal 5: Society and Consumers trust, respect and value.)
The project proposes to collate baseline data, invests in trawl impact RD&E, invests in nature positive initiatives across the environment metrics of the ESG framework and communicates all in a way that engages identified audiences.
The project will contain subprojects which will be identified and scoped in line with the overarching project strategy. Applications for subprojects will be sought using a range of mechanisms - competitive applications, direct or select tender as recommended by the project's steering committee (industry representatives, FRDC, an eNGO and a technical expert). Subprojects seeking national funding must demonstrate Return on Investment to a significant proportion of the sector. Subprojects will be contracted by the ACPF and report deliverables to the FRDC.
Co-investment will be sought from stakeholder partners and/or made by the project into externally managed projects. Objectives: 1. Australian wild prawn sector is Ecologically, Economically and Socially sustainable through pursuing low impact, fuel efficient and financially viable prawn trawl gear technology 2. Australian wild prawn sector plays a critical lead role in the stewardship of our marine resources seeking partnership with stakeholders 3. Through strategic co-investment to address threats on the horizon, the Australian wild prawn sector invests in new innovation that enables fair, equitable and secure access to marine resources 4. Australian society and consumers trust, respect and value the Australian wild prawn sector and its product achieved via its stewardship 5. The Australian wild prawn sector's people are equipped to adapt to climate challenges and the environmental performance standards required of all marine users Read moreRead less
Optimizing Implanted Cell Survival Using A Tissue Engineering Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,175.00
Summary
Cell therapy and tissue engineering involve the insertion of specific cells into damaged tissues or into a bioraector in a patient's body to generate new replacement tissues. This project seeks to improve two factors associated with inserting cells : 1. The innate survival characteristics of the cells being inserted, and 2. The blood vessel supply at the site of insertion. These techniques will greatly improve the survival of inserted cells.
On the mechanism of boiling instability in microchannels. This project will enable designers to create highly efficient miniaturised devices based on the boiling of fluids such as water or organics. These devices include micro-power generation systems, coolers for computer chips and solar collectors, and micro-chemical process systems. Such devices provide environmental, safety and economic benefits.
This research program aims to gain a detailed understanding of the organisation of the cell surface at the molecular level. The cell surface is organised into domains with distinct functions. Visualisation of these domains, identifying their important components, and understanding how they form and function will have huge importance for therapeutic strategies aimed at combatting the changes associated with cell transformation in cancer and in other human diseases such as muscular dystrophy.
The Role Of Apolipoprotein E In High Density Lipoprotein Metabolism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$151,208.00
Summary
Coronary heart disease is a major cause of death and disability in Australia. A high level of blood cholesterol increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease. This increase in coronary risk is caused by the cholesterol that is carried in low density lipoproteins (LDL). However, not all cholesterol is bad. A proportion of the cholesterol in blood is carried high density lipoproteins (HDL), which are powerful protectors against heart disease. People with high blood levels of HDL have a s ....Coronary heart disease is a major cause of death and disability in Australia. A high level of blood cholesterol increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease. This increase in coronary risk is caused by the cholesterol that is carried in low density lipoproteins (LDL). However, not all cholesterol is bad. A proportion of the cholesterol in blood is carried high density lipoproteins (HDL), which are powerful protectors against heart disease. People with high blood levels of HDL have a significantly reduced risk of developing heart disease. HDL consist of several different types of particles that contain lipids (or fats) and proteins. Not all HDL protect equally against coronary heart disease. Our ability to determine which HDL are the most cardioprotective is limited because it is difficult to separate the different types of particles from each other. One thing we do know is that the cardioprotective properties and metabolism of HDL are influenced by the proteins they contain. A considerable amount is known about the effects of the two main HDL proteins on the metabolism and cardioprotective properties of HDL. However, HDL contain several other proteins which are also important in this regard. This project is concerned with one of those other proteins called apolipoprotein E. The evidence that apolipoprotein E protects against heart disease is indisputable. Despite this, almost nothing is known about its role in HDL metabolism. This is because it is difficult to isolate large amounts of apolipoprotein E-containing HDL from plasma. In order to overcome these problems I have developed a novel method for preparing HDL which contain apolipoprotein E. These preparations are comparable to the apoE-containing HDL in human plasma. They will be used in this project to study the influence of apolipoprotein E on HDL metabolism.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882833
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,000.00
Summary
Advanced infrared imaging facility for micro to macro systems. This state-of-the-art infrared imaging equipment will provide significant benefits towards research and development in a wide variety of important areas such as: green house gas reduction through efficient and clean energy production and usage, using solar thermal and solar photovoltaic energy; understanding fire propagation in buildings, and efficiently growing stem cells. This equipment will help maintain Australia's position as a ....Advanced infrared imaging facility for micro to macro systems. This state-of-the-art infrared imaging equipment will provide significant benefits towards research and development in a wide variety of important areas such as: green house gas reduction through efficient and clean energy production and usage, using solar thermal and solar photovoltaic energy; understanding fire propagation in buildings, and efficiently growing stem cells. This equipment will help maintain Australia's position as a leader in these fields, and thus attract international customers to research and development services in rapidly growing markets such as alternative/renewable energy and biotechnology.Read moreRead less