Minimising Plastic In The Western Rock Lobster Industry (Phase 1 – Scope And Identify)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$72,525.00
Summary
It was recently noted (in FISH Magazine Volume 27-1) that:
“Recent studies have estimated that approximately eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every year. This contributes to the deaths of the marine animals that become entangled. Plastic can also find its way into the stomachs of seabirds, sea mammals, fish and other marine life, affecting the entire food chain. The attributes of plastic that make it so attractive as a material, including its durability, ....It was recently noted (in FISH Magazine Volume 27-1) that:
“Recent studies have estimated that approximately eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every year. This contributes to the deaths of the marine animals that become entangled. Plastic can also find its way into the stomachs of seabirds, sea mammals, fish and other marine life, affecting the entire food chain. The attributes of plastic that make it so attractive as a material, including its durability, are also the attributes that make it so dangerous and long-lived. Products might break down, but the plastic itself remains in the environment. Greenpeace researchers have found plastics in water and snow samples in areas as remote as Antarctica.
CSIRO research has identified that almost three-quarters of the rubbish on Australia’s coastline is plastic, and that it comes from Australian sources. Research from the Australian Institute of Marine Science has also reported widespread microplastic contamination of waters in north-western Australia. More recently, a study of juvenile Coral Trout from the Great Barrier Reef has identified that tropical fish are ingesting both plastic and non-plastic marine microdebris (particles of less than five millimetres).”
WRL’s vision (as noted in its Strategic Plan 2018-2021) is to be “an iconic global leader in sustainable fisheries management, with one of its strategic objectives to “ensure long term access to the sustainable resource”. WRL continually strives to improve its sustainability practices for the western rock lobster industry, with practices with the ability to transfer to and assist other fisheries being particularly attractive. The research developed through this project will allow greater knowledge and understanding of:
(1) how and where plastic is used within the western rock lobster industry; and (2) viable and environmentally friendly alternatives to the plastic currently in use. This will form the basis for Phase 2 of this project, which will allow for the development, trial and implementation of plastic alternatives to combat and reduce the harm to the marine environment, and ultimately lead to a more sustainable fishery.
Objectives: 1. Identify where and why plastic is used in the western rock lobster industry. 2. Identify viable environmentally friendly plastic alternatives. Read moreRead less
Advanced Materials from Automated Synthesis of Sequence-Defined Polymers. The project aims to develop industrially scalable and environmentally friendly methods for synthesis of sequence-defined multiblock copolymers (polymer chains containing segments of different polymer types) using automated synthesis methods. The materials to be explored will be largely based on renewable biomass-derived monomeric building blocks. Such polymers are able to undergo microphase separation into spatially period ....Advanced Materials from Automated Synthesis of Sequence-Defined Polymers. The project aims to develop industrially scalable and environmentally friendly methods for synthesis of sequence-defined multiblock copolymers (polymer chains containing segments of different polymer types) using automated synthesis methods. The materials to be explored will be largely based on renewable biomass-derived monomeric building blocks. Such polymers are able to undergo microphase separation into spatially periodic compositional patterns, thereby providing access to a vast range of nano-engineered materials. This would enable design and synthesis of new advanced materials, making use of renewable resources and supporting the circular economy, with diverse potential applications ranging from nanomedicine to materials science.Read moreRead less
Bursary To Attend The 2022 Microplastics And Seafood: Human Health Symposium In The United Kingdom - Erik Poole
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$5,289.96
Summary
Attend an international microplastics symposium in Edinburgh. Engage with leading scientists on this emerging issue and understand more about the risks involved. Gathering the latest information and research will allow the Australian seafood industry to be better prepared for the risks, including but not limited to; Misinformation, misrepresented science and other related campaigns that may affect the healthy credentials of our industry and its products. Objectives: 1. Attend the ....Attend an international microplastics symposium in Edinburgh. Engage with leading scientists on this emerging issue and understand more about the risks involved. Gathering the latest information and research will allow the Australian seafood industry to be better prepared for the risks, including but not limited to; Misinformation, misrepresented science and other related campaigns that may affect the healthy credentials of our industry and its products. Objectives: 1. Attend the 'Microplastics and Seafood; Human Health Symposium' in the United Kingdom 2. To produce a ‘Critical Review Paper’ addressing microplastics in seafood and impact on human health to provide a potential roadmap for additional research and identify communication strategies for the seafood industry Read moreRead less
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
Self-reinforced biopolymer composites. This project will pioneer high performance and biodegradable composites using self-reinforced biopolymer composites. Composites can have poor properties due to interfacial issues, and this reduces their performance. By producing a fully self-reinforced (where the fibre and the polymer are the same type of polymer) polymer composites, the project will develop a way to improve properties, increase the use of biobased materials, and improve recyclability and b ....Self-reinforced biopolymer composites. This project will pioneer high performance and biodegradable composites using self-reinforced biopolymer composites. Composites can have poor properties due to interfacial issues, and this reduces their performance. By producing a fully self-reinforced (where the fibre and the polymer are the same type of polymer) polymer composites, the project will develop a way to improve properties, increase the use of biobased materials, and improve recyclability and biodegradability. Outcomes include greater understanding of design of self-reinforced biopolymer composites structure, processing and properties. This will produce opportunities for high performance biobased composite manufacturing and a growing circular plastics economy for Australia.Read moreRead less
Faster, greener, stronger: a new approach to synthesis of polymer materials. The project will investigate new approaches towards polymer material synthesis in the complete absence of hazardous solvents, with the aim of creating materials that have superior physical or chemical properties compared to those prepared using existing methods. This project is significant for driving advances in material design and characterization using simple starting materials and environmentally sustainable conditi ....Faster, greener, stronger: a new approach to synthesis of polymer materials. The project will investigate new approaches towards polymer material synthesis in the complete absence of hazardous solvents, with the aim of creating materials that have superior physical or chemical properties compared to those prepared using existing methods. This project is significant for driving advances in material design and characterization using simple starting materials and environmentally sustainable conditions. Expected outcomes include the production of unique nanomaterials, hydrogels and polymer monoliths with targeted applications, in addition to advances in 3D printing. This project will significantly benefit the sustainable material manufacturing industry into the future.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100616
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,574.00
Summary
Development of high-performance flame-retardant one-component epoxy resins. This project will create a new class of phosphorus/imidazole oligomers for single-component epoxy resins with superior storage stability, fire retardancy and mechanical properties. By establishing a fundamental understanding of the structure-composition-property relationships of one-component epoxy resins, it will address two major challenges - high reactivity and short shelf life, and poor flame retardancy and mechanica ....Development of high-performance flame-retardant one-component epoxy resins. This project will create a new class of phosphorus/imidazole oligomers for single-component epoxy resins with superior storage stability, fire retardancy and mechanical properties. By establishing a fundamental understanding of the structure-composition-property relationships of one-component epoxy resins, it will address two major challenges - high reactivity and short shelf life, and poor flame retardancy and mechanical properties, which limit practical applications. This project will develop environmentally benign, flame-retardant oligomers, reducing fire hazards, protecting lives, property and the environment, by replacing current flammable epoxy resins used in electrical, construction and transportation.Read moreRead less
Bioplastics in the environment: lifetimes and toxicology. Globally, governments are implementing policies to drive a move to a circular economy. In the process, new materials are being introduced whose potential impacts need to be understood before they are widely used. This project pioneers investigations into the rate and extent of biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in aquatic and soil environments and the associated ecotoxicology of this process. In particular, it aims to quantify the e ....Bioplastics in the environment: lifetimes and toxicology. Globally, governments are implementing policies to drive a move to a circular economy. In the process, new materials are being introduced whose potential impacts need to be understood before they are widely used. This project pioneers investigations into the rate and extent of biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in aquatic and soil environments and the associated ecotoxicology of this process. In particular, it aims to quantify the extent to which the surfaces of these materials accumulate environmental pollutants via adsorption and other mechanisms. The outcomes will include conceptual models of biodegradation across environments, including lifetimes and likely impacts, critical information for framing a sustainable plastics industry.Read moreRead less
Catalytic conversion of Australia's natural gas to value added products. While natural gas (of which methane is the primary component) is an abundant source of energy, it is normally found in remote areas and for its successful exploitation it needs to be processed. The processing usually requires significant energy and resources input. In this project we will develop a fundamental understanding to a single step catalytic process that can utilise natural gas and nitrous oxide (both potent greenh ....Catalytic conversion of Australia's natural gas to value added products. While natural gas (of which methane is the primary component) is an abundant source of energy, it is normally found in remote areas and for its successful exploitation it needs to be processed. The processing usually requires significant energy and resources input. In this project we will develop a fundamental understanding to a single step catalytic process that can utilise natural gas and nitrous oxide (both potent greenhouse gases) and oxygen to produce selectively methanol and hydrocarbons from a natural gas feedstream in a controlled manner. A single step process for natural gas conversion utilising waste green-house gases is expected to be of great benefit to the Australian economy, environment and energy securityRead moreRead less
High-Performance Polymer Composites for Electrical Discharging. This project aims to address the problem of electrostatic discharge by developing new industry-compatible processing techniques and taking advantage of the synergy between graphene and carbon nanotubes and fibres. Electrostatic discharge due to accumulation of static electricity is a significant problem for lightweight polymer composites used in hazard environments, such as pumps for underground mining, oil and gas storage and satel ....High-Performance Polymer Composites for Electrical Discharging. This project aims to address the problem of electrostatic discharge by developing new industry-compatible processing techniques and taking advantage of the synergy between graphene and carbon nanotubes and fibres. Electrostatic discharge due to accumulation of static electricity is a significant problem for lightweight polymer composites used in hazard environments, such as pumps for underground mining, oil and gas storage and satellites. The outcomes will potentially transform the current manufacturing practice of anti-static composites for industry applications including mining, energy, space and agriculture. Read moreRead less