Harnessing The Aquaculture Potential Of Queensland’s Native Rock Oysters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$628,669.00
Summary
QOGA has identified core research priorities that need to be addressed to improve productivity and reverse the steady decline in production.
This project will partner with QOGA and other stakeholders to address the identified need to establish new oyster farming options, technologies, and production systems. The RD&E requires a dual focus, to both improve viability of the current SRO sector, and initiate commercialisation of new TRO varieties for expansion beyond SEQ.
Recent flood events have ....QOGA has identified core research priorities that need to be addressed to improve productivity and reverse the steady decline in production.
This project will partner with QOGA and other stakeholders to address the identified need to establish new oyster farming options, technologies, and production systems. The RD&E requires a dual focus, to both improve viability of the current SRO sector, and initiate commercialisation of new TRO varieties for expansion beyond SEQ.
Recent flood events have emphasised the urgent requirement to further improve the quality and availability of QX resistant SRO stock. It is a QOGA priority to have QX resistance validation trials conducted in Qld to determine the most viable SRO options for SEQ. Validation will be undertaken in collaboration with NSW DPI (building on FRDC 2016/802) and will link with farm-based growout trials conducted at strategic sites, assessing performance relative to location and system. Outcomes will also form a benchmark for direct comparison with newly identified lineages.
With the identification of new TRO varieties (FRDC 2018-118), QOGA advocates that both BRO and LGRO require thorough investigation and the development of targeted hatchery and growout research including farm-based production trials. This aligns with QOGA’s need to access additional culture species options with increased temperature tolerance (essential for northern expansion and climate-change security) and potential QX resistance.
A research hatchery has recently been established to address QOGA’s request for a dedicated R&D hatchery. The hatchery is already producing priority oyster strains (SRO & BRO) and is capable of undertaking this required research and meeting the industry’s immediate requirement to access spat.
To efficiently address the Qld oyster industry’s stated priority needs, this project will undertake research that combines new genomic sequencing and hatchery technologies, best practice production processes and expert local oyster farmer knowledge.
Objectives: 1. Overall:Provide an assessment of the most regionally appropriate oyster species and associated production protocols capable of improving oyster farm productivity and achieving broad industry expansion within and beyond SEQ. 2. Hatchery and nursery:Improve hatchery and nursery production capacity to support R&D activities and provide Qld farmers with additional spat while developing more efficient hatchery/ nursery processes that include advanced molecular processes for improving reproductive capacity, gonad conditioning and reliability of spawning. 3. Blacklip Rock Oysters:Provide reliable BRO spat production capacity that meets the short-term stocking and start-up needs of Qld BRO farms. Develop locally relevant production protocols and determine BRO farming suitability at specific locations along the Qld coastline, while integrating with and contributing to broader CRCNA RD&E activities. 4. Lineage G Rock Oysters:Provide reliable LGRO spat production capacity that meets the short-term stocking and start-up needs of Qld LGRO farms. Develop novel hatchery, production, and post-harvest assessment protocols for LGRO. 5. Sydney Rock Oysters:Improve understanding of SRO QX resistance through validation trials assessing the benefits of QX resistant strains under SEQ conditions. Develop information on production parameters and systems for specific SEQ farming locations to assist with development of best practice production protocols. 6. Genetics and distribution:Develop conclusive, oyster industry focussed, genetic information detailing BRO and LGRO distribution and diversity along Queensland’s east coast. This information is essential for assessing geographic aquaculture potential at both a species and population level and developing appropriately informed management and stocking policies. 7. Non-destructive sampling:Develop refined sampling and genetic identification technologies to achieve accurate, rapid, and non-destructive broodstock identification procedures. This is necessary to ensure that hatchery activities can reliably identify and produce the required species or population. Read moreRead less
Preparing For Threats And Opportunities Of Alternative Proteins
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$209,922.00
Summary
The demand for alternative proteins is increasing globally, and although the impact on the fishing and aquaculture sectors is lagging, it is an opportune time to review the potential risks and opportunities. This will help us reposition the sector to make use of the opportunities and mitigate the risks.
Our multidisciplinary team will deliver a detailed assessment of risks and opportunities, and engage stakeholders to understand their needs, concerns and impact pathways. We will use our ....The demand for alternative proteins is increasing globally, and although the impact on the fishing and aquaculture sectors is lagging, it is an opportune time to review the potential risks and opportunities. This will help us reposition the sector to make use of the opportunities and mitigate the risks.
Our multidisciplinary team will deliver a detailed assessment of risks and opportunities, and engage stakeholders to understand their needs, concerns and impact pathways. We will use our analysis to demonstrate the potential pathways they can use to make use of the opportunities and mitigate the risks.
Our project will: - Understand the opportunities and risks for the growing trend of alternative proteins on the fishing and aquaculture sectors and supply chain - Assess the potential impacts of alternative proteins on the fishing and aquaculture sectors and supply chain through scenario modelling - Engage deeply with fishing, aquaculture and related stakeholders to co-design interpretation of insights into risks and opportunities as well as formulating options and responses - Make recommendations on how fishing and aquaculture sectors and enterprises might re-position to embrace benefits associated with alternative proteins, and respond to associated risks.
Relevant outcomes: Outcome 1: Growth for enduring prosperity Outcome 3: A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking Outcome 5: Community trust, respect and value Enabling strategy III: Promote innovation and entrepreneurship Enabling Strategy IV: Build capability and capacity
Objectives: 1. Understand the opportunities and risks for the growing trend of alternative proteins on the fishing and aquaculture sectors and supply chain 2. Assess the potential impacts of alternative proteins on the fishing and aquaculture sectors and supply chain 3. Make recommendations on how fishing and aquaculture sectors and enterprises might re-position to embrace benefits associated with alternative proteins, and respond to associated risks. Read moreRead less
Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Ranching Research, Development And Extension Management Program
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$327,255.00
Summary
This project is essential for the continued function and improvement of a cohesive R&D approach aimed at meeting the priority needs of the SBT Aquaculture Industry. The industry had developed rapidly post its initiation in 1991 and has the opportunity to continue to do so beyond 2020. However, targeted R&D is needed to underpin this development and to assure the long-term sustainability of the industry in an increasingly competitive international market. This project is required for the continua ....This project is essential for the continued function and improvement of a cohesive R&D approach aimed at meeting the priority needs of the SBT Aquaculture Industry. The industry had developed rapidly post its initiation in 1991 and has the opportunity to continue to do so beyond 2020. However, targeted R&D is needed to underpin this development and to assure the long-term sustainability of the industry in an increasingly competitive international market. This project is required for the continuation and further development of research in the SBT aquaculture industry, to set and meet objectives, as well as ensuring appropriate inputs and outcomes are delivered to FRDC. The SBT Research Program is needed to: - provide the opportunity for an ongoing management structure to oversee active research projects and ensure desired outcomes are achieved; - set research priorities and develop projects to match priorities; - minimise the level of research duplication; - provide a focus for developing SBT aquaculture related research infrastructure; - provide focused strategy for disseminating research results to industry and other stakeholders; - address industry priorities and gaps by establishing a mechanism to empower industry's involvement in their research; - maintain frameworks to ensure that SBT aquaculture research is orderly, targeted and value for money; - facilitate leadership and training for industry workforce; - support industry participation in conferences, congresses and forums to enhance industry knowledge of relevant subjects, address threats to industry, expand affiliations with external sectors and increase research networks; - build cross sectorial relationships within seafood industries , research institutions and the media; - identify new pathways relevant to future research and the continuing success of the program; and - provide a mechanism for obtaining feedback for continuous program improvement.
Objectives: 1. Ensure sustainable development of the industry 2. Improve resource access and property rights 3. Improve profitability 4. Extend research outcomes to stakeholders 5. Enhance market opportunity 6. Ensure workforce development and safety 7. Encourage participation in forums that concern industry Read moreRead less
Southern Rock Lobster Planning And Management For A National Research Development & Extension (RD&E) Program
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,001,807.88
Summary
The Southern Rock Lobster industry has a complex array of business structures. Many of the quota units or catch shares are owned by small family businesses while an increasing amount is owned by larger companies. Catch is taken by around 625 vessels and packed and processed by a number of different companies. The large and complex array of firms across three States means there is a need for leadership in prioritising and coordinating the investment in and managing industry RD&E.
Fo ....The Southern Rock Lobster industry has a complex array of business structures. Many of the quota units or catch shares are owned by small family businesses while an increasing amount is owned by larger companies. Catch is taken by around 625 vessels and packed and processed by a number of different companies. The large and complex array of firms across three States means there is a need for leadership in prioritising and coordinating the investment in and managing industry RD&E.
For the past three years the value of the catch (producer prices) has increased from $176 million to $228 million with the 2013/14 year the highest on record with 2014-15 likely to be higher again. Profitability has increased at a greater rate than this trend in revenue would indicate, because of gradual improvement in catch rate. There is opportunity to further increase the financial return from the resource through improvements in price and reduction in costs. Research investment tends to have an exceptional ROI in this industry due to the scale of the fishery.
In 2012, SRL partnered with the Australian Abalone industry to form the Seafood Trade Advisory Group (STAG) to primarily address issues regarding exports to China. This proved timely as the negotiations for a China - Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) became a Government priority and the STAG contributed significantly to successful inclusion of lobster and abalone. This agreement is expected to create substantial change in the SRL fishery in the future and we need to be well prepared to respond.
This project will build on the existing capacity to deal with Southern Rock Lobster RD&E needs in a strategic and efficient way. The industry will benefit from continued collaboration with the New Zealand Rock Lobster industry on R&D projects will continue under this project including sharing R&D initiatives with other Australian Rock Lobster representative bodies.
Objectives: 1. Coordinate Southern Rock Lobster RD&E planning and management so that RD&E is strategically prioritized and delivered cost-effectively. 2. Deliver a corporate structure, resources and processes for SRL that ensures:a) Leadership focusing on continuous industry development through the delivery of the SRL Strategic Plan b) a strategic focus on maximising profitability across the value chain within the limits of sustainability of the resource, c) high level governance at the operational, planning and strategic level; and d) effective engagement of all stakeholders in planning and building SRL’s value proposition to ensure further development within the fishery and relevance of SRL’s functions. 3. Engage with Southern Rock Lobster Processors and Exporters (post-harvest sector) to establish a representative body and processes for contributing to industry development, RD&E initiatives and representation of this body on the SRL Board. 4. Communicate consistent information and the extension of R&D outputs to support and promote the adoption of new technology, science and other project outcomes through mediums such as the SRL Newsletter, website and fact sheets Read moreRead less
Fisheries Biology Of Short-spined Sea Urchins (Heliocidaris Erythrogramma) In Tasmania: Supporting A Profitable Harvest And Appropriate Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$262,870.09
Summary
Urchins have been fished in Tasmania since the 1980s, yet no significant research since a basic morphological description of the reproductive cycle in the 1970s has been conducted to support fisheries management. Spatial and habitat variability in urchin growth rates, maximum sizes and size at maturity across key harvesting regions are unknown.
There is a need to understand the drivers of seasonal and spatial variability in roe quality to maximise returns of ‘A-grade’ roe in order to m ....Urchins have been fished in Tasmania since the 1980s, yet no significant research since a basic morphological description of the reproductive cycle in the 1970s has been conducted to support fisheries management. Spatial and habitat variability in urchin growth rates, maximum sizes and size at maturity across key harvesting regions are unknown.
There is a need to understand the drivers of seasonal and spatial variability in roe quality to maximise returns of ‘A-grade’ roe in order to maximise industry probability. Variability in urchin roe coupled with competitive catch limits is leading to localised concentration in effort and subsequently catch caps being reached or areas being heavily exploited before roe has reached its highest quality or optimal recovery. This is decreasing product value and fishery profits.
The lack of information on the biology, population structure and roe characteristics of the urchin not only continues to hinder the value of the wild fishery in Tasmania but also the capacity to manage it.
There are regions where high concentrations of barren forming urchins are present and are not targeted by the wild fishery due to poor roe quality. Trials of Norwegian technologies to enhance roe quality of these urchins are being planned as a part of international trials. Gonad (roe) development and waste generation need be assessed in order to manage the developing industry, as well as to optimise feed-regimes ahead of moving to full commercialisation. Successful urchin farming will facilitate the expansion of the urchin industry, allow for diversification in the oyster industry given recent outbreaks of POMS and assist salmon growers move into IMTA practices.
There is strong support from managers and industry for the proposed research that will guide the future profitability of the fishery and inform its management. The TasRAC has identified this as a high priority project. DPIPWE is bound by the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 to ensure that fisheries are managed in a sustainable manner. However, the Department has had to adopted a precautionary approach in management due to the lack of scientific knowledge on the species. Objectives: 1. Assess Heliocidaris resource status and fisher perceptions on management and factors influencing roe quality 2. Assess regional and habitat variability in size at maturity and growth in Heliocidaris and the appropriateness of current size limits. 3. Determine biological and environmental drivers of roe quality. 4. Quantify roe enhancement and waste production of Heliocidaris fed on natural and formulated feeds Read moreRead less