Development Of A User-friendly Management Strategy Evaluation Framework For Queensland’s Rocky Reef Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$138,225.00
Summary
The Queensland Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery is predominantly a multi-species commercial, charter and recreational line fishery. Many of the species captured in the fishery are comprised of stocks that span the Queensland and New South Wales state border. In Queensland, the two main fished species, snapper and pearl perch, are overfished (see links in Methods section).
Fisheries Queensland, through the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy, has recently formed the Rocky Reef Working Group (WG) t ....The Queensland Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery is predominantly a multi-species commercial, charter and recreational line fishery. Many of the species captured in the fishery are comprised of stocks that span the Queensland and New South Wales state border. In Queensland, the two main fished species, snapper and pearl perch, are overfished (see links in Methods section).
Fisheries Queensland, through the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy, has recently formed the Rocky Reef Working Group (WG) to provide advice on a range of matters, including management options that would rebuild these and other rocky reef fishery stocks towards long-term sustainability targets. The management options available to constrain recreational catch harvests to sustainable limits are particularly challenging. The WG have met twice to discuss and outline candidate management strategies for pearl perch and snapper (see working group communiques @www.daf.qld.gov.au). These include urgent short-term and long-term management options for the commercial, charter and recreational sectors accessing pearl perch and snapper stocks. Changes to bag and size limits, TACC (for commercial fishers), and spatial and/or temporal closures are potential management changes. However, it is difficult to assess the effect of these measures without a dedicated modelling tool, the primary output from the proposed research. The project will draw on and add to information from past research and stock assessment projects. The MSE modelling framework will be modern, quick, user-friendly and adaptable for more fish species as needed later (e.g. teraglin and grass emperor, or other fisheries). This work will support understanding on how to improve the sustainability of pearl perch and snapper in Queensland.
This research project will address the specific research priority "Management strategy evaluation for the sustainability of Queensland rocky reef finfish" as outlined in the FRDC's November 2108 Competitive Round Call for Expressions of Interest. This research is critical for the management of the rocky reef fishery and, as such, Fisheries Queensland resource managers are supportive of this work.
Objectives: 1. Develop a management strategy evaluation for Queensland's rock reef fishery Read moreRead less
Vaccination For Emergency And Long-term Control Of Nodavirus In Australian Marine Aquaculture
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$567,695.00
Summary
The grouper industry is new but growing in Australia with recent new private sector investment in the hatchery in Cairns. However, all current grow out is affected by nodavirus outbreaks which have been both acute and severe. Without a solution the industry will not be able to continue. Fortunately, nodavirus is preventable by vaccination and there is local capacity to produce. Whilst there is currently insufficient demand to allow a fully privately financed vaccine initiative, with an emergency ....The grouper industry is new but growing in Australia with recent new private sector investment in the hatchery in Cairns. However, all current grow out is affected by nodavirus outbreaks which have been both acute and severe. Without a solution the industry will not be able to continue. Fortunately, nodavirus is preventable by vaccination and there is local capacity to produce. Whilst there is currently insufficient demand to allow a fully privately financed vaccine initiative, with an emergency vaccine put in place and a registration data pack established, the industry is predicted to grow to a point where vaccine production by the private sector will become self-sustaining. This project will deliver an emergency vaccine to assist farmers through 2018/2019 grow out. It will build capability in vaccination of grouper in the industry. Most importantly it will provide the efficacy data, optimisation and formulation data with documentation appropriate for future licensing of a vaccine for use in Australia. Objectives: 1. An emergency vaccine to prevent nodavirus in the Queensland grouper cohort for stocking in spring/summer 2018 2. A data pack suitable for registration of an optimally formulated nodavirus vaccine for Australia Read moreRead less
Transitioning Cobia Aquaculture Research And Development In Queensland To Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$510,560.00
Summary
Cobia production was instigated in Queensland as a business diversification and risk mitigation option for the marine pond-based aquaculture sector. BIRC has produced and supplied the entirety of cobia fingerlings to industry partners through a number of research projects. In early April 2019, RPP produced their first batch of cobia fingerlings from larvae supplied from BIRC. While commercial-scale methods for hatchery and fingerling production have been successfully adopted by farms, the indust ....Cobia production was instigated in Queensland as a business diversification and risk mitigation option for the marine pond-based aquaculture sector. BIRC has produced and supplied the entirety of cobia fingerlings to industry partners through a number of research projects. In early April 2019, RPP produced their first batch of cobia fingerlings from larvae supplied from BIRC. While commercial-scale methods for hatchery and fingerling production have been successfully adopted by farms, the industry still needs to demonstrate that it can be self-reliant and self-propagating by 2021, by producing seed from its own broodstock. Further, more effective feeding strategies are required for growout-sized fish (> 2 kg) which typically exhibit poor feed conversion ratios (FCR), impacting production efficiencies. This revised proposal seeks to seamlessly transition cobia R&D to a fully vertically integrated industry production model by (1) the supply of biosecure cobia broodstock and seedstock (fertilised eggs and larvae) to industry collaborators; (2) optimising feeding strategies using experimental trials; and (3) promoting project outputs through web-based media.
Objectives: 1. Expand cobia production: (a) supply of biosecure broodstock from BIRC to RPP; (b) bilateral exchange of broodstock management, reproductive knowledge and technical support between DAF and RPP; (c) on-demand supply of quality fertilised eggs and/or 1-2 day-old larvae from BIRC to RPP; and (d) optional fee for service ($10,000 per year) entry to future project participants, enabling access to BIRC seedstock through a pro rata arrangement. 2. Optimise feeding strategies for farmed cobia using commercially available finfish diets: (a) conduct a feed trial at BIRC in collaboration with RPP to test the effect of feed frequency of a commercially available fish diet on cobia growth performance (FCR, SGR, biomass); and (b) conduct a feed trial at BIRC in collaboration with RPP to fast track winter growth of cobia juveniles using a commercially available fish diet. 3. Contribute project deliverables to the DAF cobia aquaculture RD&E web portal. Read moreRead less
Pioneering Tropical Rock Lobster Raft Grow-out For Northern Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
This project will undertake the critical science required for the next step of closed-cycle Tropical Rock Lobster production, the grow-out of hatchery-produced juvenile lobsters in sea raft enclosures, with research trials in the pristine waters of northern Western Australia. There are multiple gaps in knowledge that must be investigated to support the development and evaluation of this production technology to meet market demands. The project partners bring expertise across the production-to-ma ....This project will undertake the critical science required for the next step of closed-cycle Tropical Rock Lobster production, the grow-out of hatchery-produced juvenile lobsters in sea raft enclosures, with research trials in the pristine waters of northern Western Australia. There are multiple gaps in knowledge that must be investigated to support the development and evaluation of this production technology to meet market demands. The project partners bring expertise across the production-to-market pipeline and we will focus on six research areas: environment; raft design; translocation, lobster health and biosecurity; feeding strategies; lobster growth performance; and, premium diverse market acceptability. We will evaluate production systems, comparing sea raft productivity with onshore culture, to de-risk and attract quality investment in a brand-new grow-out aquaculture industry by current and new aquaculture businesses.
All aspects of the production research will include training of personnel and documentation of procedures that will be made available to new lobster grow-out producers in Australia through project participants. The project team will regularly communicate progress with stakeholders, including government (national, state and territory, local), jurisdiction agencies, Traditional Owners in research trial areas, community, aquaculture producers, training and research providers. At the end of the project a Field Day event will share the current status and production models for consideration by existing and new businesses. Industry value of $160 million is projected by 2030, with future potential of over $500 million p.a. that creates 1,000 direct jobs, 900 of those in Northern Australia, for people in feed manufacture, grow-out, downstream processing/distribution and marketing.
The project outcomes are directly aligned with the Food & Agribusiness Growth Centre’s (Food Innovation Australia Limited-FIAL) vision to grow the share of Australian food in the global marketplace – as it captures a unique opportunity for growing tomorrow’s food and contributing to the $200 billion possibility for Australian agri-businesses by 2030. Objectives: 1. Successfully translocate hatchery-produced tropical rock lobster juveniles from northern QLD to northern WA 2. Evaluate an innovative sea raft grow-out production system for lobsters suited to the environment in northern WA 3. Develop production techniques including feeding strategy, stocking density and biofouling management for sea raft culture of lobsters in WA 4. Compare performance, quality and market acceptance of lobsters in sea raft systems in WA and onshore culture in QLD 5. Create production models for industry scaling and Indigenous-led business engagement, including contract growing and supply services Read moreRead less
Assessment Of The Inflamark Method As A Sensitive And Cost-effective Measure Of Oxidative Stress In Cultured Fish
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$156,177.11
Summary
An indicator of oxidative/metabolic stress in fish has long been sought after as a means of providing a simple measure of health and as a tool for assessing the outcomes of research trials including those on diet formulations. The FRDC have invested heavily in health & nutrition research, yet a simple, sensitive and cost effective method of assessing health following such trials is still lacking. Most analytical methods such as haematology, blood biochemistry, flow cytometry, histology and bacte ....An indicator of oxidative/metabolic stress in fish has long been sought after as a means of providing a simple measure of health and as a tool for assessing the outcomes of research trials including those on diet formulations. The FRDC have invested heavily in health & nutrition research, yet a simple, sensitive and cost effective method of assessing health following such trials is still lacking. Most analytical methods such as haematology, blood biochemistry, flow cytometry, histology and bacterial challenges all have limitations in terms of sensitivity, repeatability, cost and simplicity.
Inflamark has potential to be developed into a rapid, point-of-care device that could be used on-farm as well as in research trials. There is a need to validate its usefulness as a diagnostic tool in commercially relevant farmed fish species prior to its development as a routine diagnostic tool.
Objectives: 1. Optimise field methods to ensure blood is collected and preserved appropriately for shipment and analysis 2. Determine the range of baseline oxidative stress values for healthy and moribund fish from four species across the full range of sizes and culture temperatures under commercial growout conditions. 3. Obtain data from fish in various FRDC and industry funded research projects investigating health and nutrition. Read moreRead less
Shark Depredation In Australian Fisheries: Understanding The Scope Of The Issue And Identify Potential Mitigation Options
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$25,510.00
Summary
Shark depredation of catches have been nationally acknowledged as an issue for all stakeholders – however, much of the information is anecdotal and there is a lack of clarity on where efforts need to be prioritised to find possible solutions. In response, the FRDC will facilitate up to two national workshops to understand the scope of depredation and approaches to mitigate and manage this source of mortality.
Objectives: 1. Define key dimensions of the shark depredation ....Shark depredation of catches have been nationally acknowledged as an issue for all stakeholders – however, much of the information is anecdotal and there is a lack of clarity on where efforts need to be prioritised to find possible solutions. In response, the FRDC will facilitate up to two national workshops to understand the scope of depredation and approaches to mitigate and manage this source of mortality.
Objectives: 1. Define key dimensions of the shark depredation issue in Australian fisheries (across all relevant sectors) in terms of (i) relevant characteristics of the shark species and populations involved, (ii) relevant traits of the fisheries involved, (iii) potential impacts of shark depredation, from economic, ecological, stock assessment, and social perspectives 2. Clearly identify and discuss potential mitigation options 3. Facilitate a national approach to collaborate cross-jurisdictional knowledge and efforts to define the scope of shark depredation in Australia and potential next steps Read moreRead less
What’s Stopping You From Protecting Yourself And Your Mates? Identifying Barriers To The Adoption Of Safe Work Practises In The Small-scale Wild Catch Commercial Fishing Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$321,720.00
Summary
High rates of work related injury and illness exist within Australia's commercial fishing industry, compared to other primary industries. A large proportion of current WHS approaches appear to be either underutilised or ineffective in reducing work related injury and illness frequency rates. The wild catch sector has identified a need to explore how to affect cultural shifts that increase the adoption of behaviours that create safe work environments and improve outcomes for the industry. Opportu ....High rates of work related injury and illness exist within Australia's commercial fishing industry, compared to other primary industries. A large proportion of current WHS approaches appear to be either underutilised or ineffective in reducing work related injury and illness frequency rates. The wild catch sector has identified a need to explore how to affect cultural shifts that increase the adoption of behaviours that create safe work environments and improve outcomes for the industry. Opportunities exist to learn from fisheries that are in the process of, or have adopted improved and positive WHS attitudes and behaviours, and to identify how they may be successfully shared with other fisheries.
Fishing industry representatives identify the desirability of simultaneously generating positive WHS outcomes while undertaking research. It is clearly recognised that the industry is averse to strengthening regulatory and compliance requirements, but seek the identification of behaviours and psychological factors that underpin established, or potential improvements in safety culture and behaviours, with a view to improving WHS outcomes. Given sensitivities to WHS regulatory recriminations, it is also a clear requirement and undertaking of this research to respect the anonymity of research participants in the data, and to protect them from any direct negative regulatory actions as a result of their participation in the research.
A need has also been identified to develop a set of principles, that may be promulgated nationally and utilised by industry to improve WHS outcomes, with the benefit of potentially minimising regulatory impositions.
It is also acknowledged that opportunities exit to improve WHS outcomes in the aquaculture and retail sectors. While the wild catch is the focus of this project, it will seek to identify any knowledge that may also by applicable to and utilised by these other sectors.
Objectives: 1. To generate knowledge to foster a stronger safety culture in the wild catch commercial fishing industry, and identify relevant recommendations also applicable to the aquaculture and retail sectors. 2. Identify the barriers (environmental, behavioural, psychological, regulatory, and market based) to adoption and implementation of safe work practises. 3. Identify the specific factors contributing to improvements in industry safety culture. Read moreRead less
A Review Of Fisheries Enhancement Methods To Promote Profitability And Sustainability In Australian Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$44,069.00
Summary
Whilst a range of fisheries enhancement approaches have been applied in Australia, quantitative comparison between the outcomes achieved is lacking. The decision to use fisheries enhancement techniques can be heavily influenced by politics, especially in the recreational fishing sector. Despite the general results from past fishery enhancement activities appearing positive, not all approaches may deliver the best return on investment. Quantitative comparison of techniques is needed to enable dec ....Whilst a range of fisheries enhancement approaches have been applied in Australia, quantitative comparison between the outcomes achieved is lacking. The decision to use fisheries enhancement techniques can be heavily influenced by politics, especially in the recreational fishing sector. Despite the general results from past fishery enhancement activities appearing positive, not all approaches may deliver the best return on investment. Quantitative comparison of techniques is needed to enable decisions to be made with greater certainty and deliver the best value.
Broad uptake and application of some fisheries enhancement techniques by fisheries managers in Australia has been limited. A major constraint for fisheries managers has been the absence of clear comparative data on the costs and benefits for each approach and how they can be most effectively applied in different scenarios. Fisheries enhancement is widely practised around the world and quantitative assessments of the benefits of some techniques exist. Cost benefit analyses have also been conducted for some projects in Australia, but the results have yet to be consolidated and considered in the context of how they can be applied more broadly by fisheries managers.
Consolidating the knowledge base on fisheries enhancement methods will enable robust comparison of the return on investment of different approaches for various fisheries and assessment of their long-term viability and impacts on fishery sustainability. Such information will enable managers to more clearly identify the most appropriate techniques and potential benefits for their specific fisheries, leading to increased uptake and implementation. To assist uptake by fishery managers, a decision support tool is needed to enable managers to readily incorporate these approaches with other fishery management considerations.
Objectives: 1. To conduct a literature review of fisheries enhancement/intervention methods 2. To conduct a cost-benefit analysis to identify efficient fisheries enhancement techniques 3. Develop a decision support tool to assist fishery managers determine the most suitable enhancement approach 4. Extend the results of the review and decision support tool to fisheries managers across Australia Read moreRead less
Increase The Participation And Employment Of Indigenous People In The NT Commercial Fishing, Management And Seafood Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$5,100.00
Summary
More than 25% of the NT Population identify as Indigenous - the highest proportion in any state or territory. Indigenous people also own approximately 84% of the NT coastline. Participation of Indigenous people in industries and businesses that align closely with cultural values such as in natural and cultural resource management have been shown to have beneficial social, economic and health outcomes.
There is a need to expand the proportion of Indigenous people participating in all as ....More than 25% of the NT Population identify as Indigenous - the highest proportion in any state or territory. Indigenous people also own approximately 84% of the NT coastline. Participation of Indigenous people in industries and businesses that align closely with cultural values such as in natural and cultural resource management have been shown to have beneficial social, economic and health outcomes.
There is a need to expand the proportion of Indigenous people participating in all aspects of the NT commercial fishing and seafood industry. This includes through capacity building activities, traineeships, employment, research, education and extension services.
Currently there is a silo approach across local, Territory and Commonwealth agencies and programs to achieve this and poor integration across sectors. Julian Morison from EconSearch, the Principal Investigator for this proposed project, is currently leading two projects in the NT that are designed to address the problems largely arising from this silo approach. One is the lack of current economic information about the NT Seafood Industry. The second involves providing advice on fishing and aquaculture industry market opportunities, through an economic assessment of the current value and nature of opportunities in the NT market with a particular focus on the market size, value and opportunities that are present in East Arnhem Land.
These two studies which are due for completion in March and May 2017, respectively, will provide a solid basis for the proposed project. The primary aim of this project is to conduct research and stakeholder consultation to identify ways to promote and increase participation and employment of Indigenous people in NT fishing and seafood industries.
The project is to be managed under the auspices of Developing East Arnhem Limited (DEAL). DEAL is a not-for-profit development body established in November 2014 to act as the front door to the region for industry and business. DEAL facilitates connections between private enterprise, industry, community and government agencies to support economic diversification and growth in the East Arnhem region for the benefit of the regional population. Objectives: 1. Identify five programs or initiatives (at least two short term and at least two longer term) to promote and increase participation and employment of Indigenous people in NT fishing and seafood industries. 2. Directly involve decision makers in the communities and related fisheries in the conduct of the project through their participation in the development of the programs and initiatives. Read moreRead less