Habitat Ecological Risk Assessment For Eco-regions With High Trawl Footprints, In Southern Queensland And Northern NSW
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$2,306,521.00
Summary
Australian fisheries, including trawl fisheries, need to ensure they met legislative requirements to ensure they have no unacceptable impacts on ecosystems. Similarly, the marine ecosystems and its biodiversity need to be conserved and protected. This project links across sustainability and conservation management objectives by building and extending previous works such as FRDC 2003-021 and FRDC 2016-039, works that provide/establish regional and national regionally relevant clarification .... Australian fisheries, including trawl fisheries, need to ensure they met legislative requirements to ensure they have no unacceptable impacts on ecosystems. Similarly, the marine ecosystems and its biodiversity need to be conserved and protected. This project links across sustainability and conservation management objectives by building and extending previous works such as FRDC 2003-021 and FRDC 2016-039, works that provide/establish regional and national regionally relevant clarification of the seabed mapping and landscape-scale fishing footprints, and exposure and protection of demersal assemblages with respect to trawling. Although significant bycatch data are available (mostly for fishes) for some trawl grounds in the region, such data are needed broadly across the study area (including for invertebrates) and there is almost no information on the distribution and abundance of habitats and sensitive habitat-forming benthos. Currently, this lack of adequate biological data is an impediment to completing bycatch and habitat ERAs for these priority areas. Thus, a pre-requisite need is to survey these areas for distribution and abundance of sensitive habitats and bycatch species. This project will then fill the existing gaps and needs in the southern portion of QLD and north-eastern of NSW with new data & methods and new risk-based management assessments to implement a consistent spatial approach for the conservation management of demersal assemblages applying to all continental shelf trawl fisheries. This will be done in collaboration with researchers in each State, industry and commonwealth managers. This project proposes to conduct the required distribution and abundance surveys, and then assess whether sensitive habitats and bycatch species are at substantive risk from trawling. If necessary, the project would also evaluate risk-management options that may be proposed, using an objective MSE-type approach. Methods and outputs proposed herein would be comparable with those from the previous GBR Seabed Project (FRDC 2003-021). Previous sampling in the GBR, southern Queensland and northern NSW, would be taken into account.
Objectives: 1. Map the distribution and abundance of habitats and bycatch species in southern Queensland and northern NSW, with focus on trawl-exposed eco-regions, 2. Complete quantitative risk assessments for seabed habitats and bycatch species, 3. Use an objective MSE-type approach, if required, to evaluate any risk-management options proposed for sensitive habitats and bycatch species. Read moreRead less
Maintaining Productivity And Access To Estuary Cockle Across Sectors Through Improved Science-based Decision Making
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$685,927.00
Summary
The lack of knowledge on fundamental fisheries biology, uncertainty in stock structure, population dynamics, and cross-sectoral harvest levels, means that current stock assessments are unequipped to reliably determine stock status or inform recommended biological catches (RBCs), and that management of the resource occurs within a high degree of uncertainty. These EXCEPTIONAL INCREASES IN HARVEST and UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING SUITABLE RBCs create an URGENT NEED TO DEAL WITH THE SUBSTANTIAL KNOWLEDG ....The lack of knowledge on fundamental fisheries biology, uncertainty in stock structure, population dynamics, and cross-sectoral harvest levels, means that current stock assessments are unequipped to reliably determine stock status or inform recommended biological catches (RBCs), and that management of the resource occurs within a high degree of uncertainty. These EXCEPTIONAL INCREASES IN HARVEST and UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING SUITABLE RBCs create an URGENT NEED TO DEAL WITH THE SUBSTANTIAL KNOWLEDGE VACUUM FOR THIS RESOURCE. Without this improved knowledge, the reasonable assessment of the status of the resource, estimation of appropriate harvest levels, harvest strategy development, implementation of appropriate management, and informed decision making on how best to utilise the resource, will continue not to be possible. Furthermore, environmental variability and species-habitat-fishery interactions are likely to impact stock dynamics and biomass, which in turn affects the magnitude, profitability, and social outcomes derived from the resource. Thus, efficient exploitation and effective management of the resource within a harvest strategy framework cannot occur without: 1) spatial definition of likely management units (stock structure); 2) estimates of stock biomass within those units; 3) estimates of basal population parameters and some appreciation of the influence of environmental stochasticity on resource productivity; and, 4) an appreciation of resource access across sectors. There is likely potential for further development in this fishery, to satisfy growing markets for the species both locally and abroad, but this will never be realised until these information needs are met. Objectives: 1. Identify stock structure for Estuary Cockle across NSW 2. Design appropriate fishery-independent survey methodologies to support both priority research objectives, and ongoing monitoring of stock biomass 3. Characterise basal population parameters and spatial and temporal patterns in biomass and recruitment, within a broader context of environmental drivers and species-habitat interactions 4. Improve knowledge on recreational, aboriginal and IUU harvest of the resource 5. Integrate information on biology, ecology, harvest, stressors, impacts, and current/future management arrangements into an Ecological Risk Assessment framework, to define future management, compliance, and communication priorities Read moreRead less
Boosting Fisher Returns Through Smart Value Adding And Greater Use Of Underutilised Species
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$95,000.00
Summary
PER DISCUSSION WITH FRDC (Crispian Ashby) THIS FULL APPLICATION IS UPDATED AND RESUBMITTED.
Many Australian fisheries offer both yield and productivity growth, from two sources: - better use of their harvest, and broader harvest of underutilised species. Both options will deliver higher returns to fishers if collective planning and effort is harnessed with smart value adding.
The low A$ makes export (and potential reimport) of these value added products more attractive. < ....PER DISCUSSION WITH FRDC (Crispian Ashby) THIS FULL APPLICATION IS UPDATED AND RESUBMITTED.
Many Australian fisheries offer both yield and productivity growth, from two sources: - better use of their harvest, and broader harvest of underutilised species. Both options will deliver higher returns to fishers if collective planning and effort is harnessed with smart value adding.
The low A$ makes export (and potential reimport) of these value added products more attractive.
Demand for seafood in Asian consumer markets continues to grow strongly, reflecting the emergence of the Asian middleclass. This global megatrend is now directly creating opportunities for Australian seafood suppliers and consumers. In the last two years as the A$ currency has weakened significantly and domestic seafood demand has expanded further, many fisheries (e.g. SA King Prawn, NSW Whiting, Skull Island King Prawn) have started to export product to Asia for processing, and / or sale and reimport to Australia. New brands are appearing on Australian seafood shelves supplied (partially) by reimported product (e.g. MSC certified Skull Island King Prawns from the Gulf of Carpentaria). In addition to reimported product, the seafood importers (who supply >70% of seafood consumed in Australia) are finding it increasingly difficult to complete with Asian consumers to secure volume for their Australian based customers.
In recent years some fisheries (eg ETBF, SESSF) have not harvested their allocated TACs. For some SESSF species less than 50% of the quota is landed. In 2014/15 the SESSF landed 10,925t from a TACC of 26,086t, only 42% of TACC. There will likely be similar yield growth options in state and territory fisheries.
In 2001 Qld DPI completed a study (FRDC 1999/347) identifying underutilised species attractive for export to Asian consumer markets. Many species and markets identified remain targets for this proposal.
Many proposed solutions to increase yield and fishery returns address only the costs of fishery access and the cost of the harvest (on boat costs, fuel, etc).
This EOI takes a different, strategic and novel approach, based on the real economic and competitive circumstances outlined above. Objectives: 1. A demonstration to Australian fishers and enterprises of the increase in the harvest of unutilised yield in selected Australia wild fisheries 2. A demonstration to Australian fishers of significant and sustainable increase in the returns to selected Australian fishermen from fishery yield growth and innovative value adding 3. A demonstration to Australian fishers of increased utilisation, yield and margin of seafood product into value added formats for new consumer markets Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Nanobubble Technology In Aquaculture
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$294,869.00
Summary
In intensive aquaculture systems oxygen supplementation is necessary to prevent hypoxia; however, oversupply can hyper-saturate systems causing gas bubble disease. Oxygenation in aquaculture, fish holding and transport systems using standard technologies is extremely inefficient; standard oxygen transfer efficiencies (SOTE) are estimated at between 2 and 6% per m submergence for coarse and fine bubble diffusers, respectively, at standard conditions of 0 ppt salinity and 20 °C. Advances in the ef ....In intensive aquaculture systems oxygen supplementation is necessary to prevent hypoxia; however, oversupply can hyper-saturate systems causing gas bubble disease. Oxygenation in aquaculture, fish holding and transport systems using standard technologies is extremely inefficient; standard oxygen transfer efficiencies (SOTE) are estimated at between 2 and 6% per m submergence for coarse and fine bubble diffusers, respectively, at standard conditions of 0 ppt salinity and 20 °C. Advances in the efficiency of gas–liquid phase processes has seen the emergence of nanobubble technologies producing ultrafine bubbles (⌀ <1 µm). The advantage of nanobubbles over larger micro/macrobubbles is that they are neutrally buoyant, negatively charged and can remain within the water column, potentially for weeks. Nanobubble technologies now have a demonstrated application across a broad variety of industries including wastewater treatment, biomedical engineering, gas and oil industry, agriculture, and the food industry. Surprisingly, outside of Japan, there has been little research on the application of nanobubble technology to the aquaculture sector. Nanobubble technology can potentially improve oxygen delivery systems for fish stock and water treatment in aquaculture systems, improving the nitrifying capacity of biofilters and efficiencies in fractionation units. However, there are currently no reliable studies demonstrating the efficacy of nanobubble technology, nor any assessment of the potential health impacts on fish in aquaculture systems. We have undertaken a preliminary pilot trial with encouraging results. Oxygenation was applied to a recirculating aquaculture system via nanobubble injectors for 10 days and fish (yellowtail kingfish) were observed to feed and behave normally when compared to a control group. Before this technology can be considered for broader adoption, a thorough long term investigation needs to be undertaken to assess the long term health effects on fish stock held in nanobubble oxygenated water and the suitability for application of this technology to the aquaculture industry. Objectives: 1. To demonstrate the efficacy of nanobubble technology for use in finfish aquaculture by:i) assessing the health, growth and feed conversion efficiencies of fish cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system at different temperatures, salinities and stocking densities exposed to nanobubblesii) determining the effect of nanobubble oxygenation on waste water treatment efficiencies in a recirculating aquaculture system.iii) providing a preliminary cost benefit analysis on the implementation of nanobubble aeration to an aquaculture system Read moreRead less
Review Of Regulation And Policy Guiding Use Of Artificial Reefs And Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD) In Australian Waters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$226,750.00
Summary
Globally, Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and artificial reefs are increasingly used tools to enhance fisheries – particularly recreational fisheries. Over the last decade there has been greater use of these tools in Australia. In recent years, FADs have been increasingly deployed including in Commonwealth waters for the purpose of enhancing recreational fisheries managed by state governments. There are concerns that the recent rapid deployment of FADs, particularly in Commonwealth waters have n ....Globally, Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and artificial reefs are increasingly used tools to enhance fisheries – particularly recreational fisheries. Over the last decade there has been greater use of these tools in Australia. In recent years, FADs have been increasingly deployed including in Commonwealth waters for the purpose of enhancing recreational fisheries managed by state governments. There are concerns that the recent rapid deployment of FADs, particularly in Commonwealth waters have negatively impacted the operations of some Commonwealth fisheries such as the East Coast Tuna and Billfish Fishery. There are also marine safety concerns which extends beyond just commercial fishing vessels. There is a need to better understand the regulatory environment for FADs and artificial reefs to ensure that benefits can be realised while impacts avoided or mitigated. The regulatory environment for the deployment of FADs (and artificial reefs) in Commonwealth waters is potentially different from that when they are deployed in state waters. It also extends beyond fisheries legislation and includes the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999), the Sea and Submerged Lands Act 1973, and the Navigation Act 2012. The administration of these Acts and associated subordinate legislation crosses several government agencies. In relation to the EPBC Act 1999, the Commonwealth marine area is a Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES). There is however little specific guidance as to whether FADs potentially impact MNES and how any impacts can be mitigated. In addition to better understand the complex regulatory environment, there is a need to develop more effective and fit for purpose engagement strategies with all stakeholders. There is a need for national project as it is an issue which is now cross jurisdictional.
Please note we have attached responses from three State Ministers indicating their support for a collaborative approach to this issue. Objectives: 1. Identification of the current regulatory and policy frameworks in all Australian jurisdictions that guide or impact the deployment and use of FADs and artificial reefs in State, Territory and Commonwealth waters. 2. Identification of the current and projected use of FADs and artificial reefs in Australian jurisdictions. 3. With relevant input through a workshop and other tools where appropriate, development of a best practice guide for the planning, sighting and deployment of FADs and artificial reefs. Read moreRead less