Waste To Profit In Urchin Fisheries: Developing Business Opportunities To Ensure Fishery Sustainability And Safeguard Reef Dependent Fisheries From Destructive Urchin Grazing
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$54,102.30
Summary
Increasing the viability of urchin fisheries is particularly important for the range-extending Centrostephanus rodgersii which is threatening the productivity and profitability of the lucrative abalone and rock lobster fishing grounds as far south as the Tasman Peninsula (south-eastern Tasmania). Waste products from urchin fisheries account for over 85% of the harvested biomass, with up to 180 tonnes of sea urchin waste produced annually. Developing saleable by-products from waste will increase ....Increasing the viability of urchin fisheries is particularly important for the range-extending Centrostephanus rodgersii which is threatening the productivity and profitability of the lucrative abalone and rock lobster fishing grounds as far south as the Tasman Peninsula (south-eastern Tasmania). Waste products from urchin fisheries account for over 85% of the harvested biomass, with up to 180 tonnes of sea urchin waste produced annually. Developing saleable by-products from waste will increase the viability and profitability of urchin fisheries by 1) creating new business opportunities 2) reducing waste disposal and transport costs and 3) enabling increased harvest levels temporally (longer seasons), spatially (further from port) and at an increased density.
Cost effective control of Centrostephanus is a key priority of the Tasmanian Government as well as the Tasmanian Abalone and Rock Lobster Council. Similarly, the State Government of Victoria and the Eastern Zone Abalone Industry Association have highlighted the need to control the destructive overgrazing of urchins. A profitable Centrostephanus fishery is seen as the best way to achieve this. However, profitability in the fishery is currently low given the species lower average roe quality. Methods to reduce costs and increase profitability are vital for a prosperous fishery and control of destructive urchin grazing.
Processors, encouraged by initial trials and results, believe there is a high potential to develop a commercial product from the waste. However, cost and lack of expertise have impeded the timely development of waste-derived products within industry. Objectives: 1. To determine the biochemical composition and volume of urchin waste and identify applications for the agricultural sector. 2. To assess the potential for using sea urchin as rock lobster bait. Read moreRead less
Utilisation Of Boat Ramp Cameras To Estimate Recreational Fishing Catch And Effort In Key Victorian Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$142,200.00
Summary
There is no current information on total recreational fishing effort or landings for Victorian fisheries and therefore no continuous time series on these variables, as is the case in most jurisdictions. This represent a key knowledge gap, and hence risk, for fisheries sustainability in the state and has resulted in several fisheries (i.e. those with significant recreational catch) being assessed as ‘Undefined’ in the most recent SAFS round. In addition to the above, the Victorian Government ....There is no current information on total recreational fishing effort or landings for Victorian fisheries and therefore no continuous time series on these variables, as is the case in most jurisdictions. This represent a key knowledge gap, and hence risk, for fisheries sustainability in the state and has resulted in several fisheries (i.e. those with significant recreational catch) being assessed as ‘Undefined’ in the most recent SAFS round. In addition to the above, the Victorian Government has brought out several bay and inlet fisheries over the last two decades, meaning recreational catch is the most significant harvest component for most species/stocks. This also means that there is no longer commercial logbook data being obtained on which to base assessment of these species/stocks. As such, having recreational catch and effort information will enable more sophisticated population dynamic stock assessment models to be used for assessment purposes. Victoria possesses such a model that is parameterised for the Western Victorian Snapper Stock (WVSS), complete with management strategy evaluation, that cannot be used to inform decision making at present because the landings from the largest fleet (i.e. boat based recreational fishers) are currently unknown. Recreational catch and effort information will be used for ongoing stock assessment to inform management advice to inform the following immediate, direct priorities: 1) WVSS harvest strategy, 2) rebuilding of the Gippsland Lakes black bream stock, 3) Corner Inlet Management Plan, and 4) assessment of the eastern Victorian snapper stock.
Objectives: 1. Calibration of boat ramp camera infrastructure 2. Extrapolation of fishing effort to boat ramps that do not have cameras using Google Earth imagery 3. Combining fishing effort information derived from boat ramp cameras and Google Earth with creel survey data to estimate the fishing effort and landings of snapper in Port Phillip Bay, the total boat based recreational landings in Corner Inlet and landings of black bream in the Gippsland Lakes Read moreRead less
Developing And Testing A Multi-species, Automated Fish In-feed System For A Production Line To Add-value And Supply Large Local Markets, Replacing Imports
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$140,000.00
Summary
Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC. Objectives: Commercial in confidence
Indigenous Fishing Subprogram: Improving The Recognition And Integration Of Traditional Owner Customary Fishing And Ecological Knowledge In The Management Of Victoria’s Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$154,572.00
Summary
There is an information gap regarding understanding the nature and extent of customary fishing activities across Victoria.
An improved understanding of traditional fishing practices will help promote an understanding of customary fishing among commercial and recreational fishing sectors.
A better understanding of traditional fishing practices will inform governement agencies of ways to improve participation by traditional owners in the ongoing management of fisheries across th ....There is an information gap regarding understanding the nature and extent of customary fishing activities across Victoria.
An improved understanding of traditional fishing practices will help promote an understanding of customary fishing among commercial and recreational fishing sectors.
A better understanding of traditional fishing practices will inform governement agencies of ways to improve participation by traditional owners in the ongoing management of fisheries across the fishing sectors.
Recording of information will support the knowledge transfer within traditional owner groups (from one generation to the next) and language retention relating to fisheries resources on traditional owner Country.
The need for work in this area is identified in a number of strategic projects, namely:
• as a VicFRAB priority to be considered in the FRDC 2014 competitive funding round. • as part of the FRDC Indigenous Reference Group 11 Key priorities. • within the Victorian Aboriginal Fishing Strategy strategic priorities. • in State-wide and cross jurisdictional initiatives (e.g. DEPI’s Aboriginal Inclusion Plan). • identified as a knowledge gap in the FRDC Research Audit of Social Sciences Fisheries Research • in the Department of Environment and Primary Industries Aboriginal Inclusion Plan
Objectives: 1. To improve government and key stakeholder groups’ understanding of customary fishing through documenting traditional owner customary fishing practices across parts of Victoria. 2. To improve Victoria’s traditional owner’s participation in the management of Victoria's fisheries by developing a structured approach to engagement with Victoria's Traditional Owner community. Read moreRead less
Identifying Biological Stocks Of Silver Trevally And Ocean Jackets For Assessment And Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$458,203.00
Summary
This application is required primarily to address the needs of FRDC and the SAFS advisory group to resolve stock uncertainty for two priority species across their national distributions, being Silver Trevally and Ocean Jackets. The results will inform future SAFS assessments that will ideally be done at the biological stock level. In addition, understanding appropriate scales for assessment and management will benefit future collaborative research, stock assessments and management arrange ....This application is required primarily to address the needs of FRDC and the SAFS advisory group to resolve stock uncertainty for two priority species across their national distributions, being Silver Trevally and Ocean Jackets. The results will inform future SAFS assessments that will ideally be done at the biological stock level. In addition, understanding appropriate scales for assessment and management will benefit future collaborative research, stock assessments and management arrangements. In particular, Silver Trevally in eastern Australia is recognized as being Depleted in NSW waters, yet if there is a single biological stock also being fished by neighbouring jurisdictions (for example the Commonwealth fisheries) there will need to be improved collaboration in terms of stock assessment and management to recover the stock. All relevant jurisdictions have identified the need to resolve stock structure of Silver Trevally and Ocean Jackets as they are important to commercial and recreational fisheries across their distributions.
Objectives: 1. To clarify the stock structure of Silver Trevallies nationally across Queensland, New South Wales, the Commonwealth, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. 2. To clarify the stock structure of Ocean Jackets nationally across New South Wales, the Commonwealth, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. 3. Using information from objectives 1 and 2, make recommendations on stock delineation for each species and the appropriate scales for management. Read moreRead less
Population Genomic Assessment Of Australian Blacklip Abalone For Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) Resistance
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$165,700.00
Summary
AVG remains the greatest threat to the economic viability and stability of the abalone industry in south-eastern Australia. As a consequence, there is an urgent need for strategic research aimed at determining the likely vulnerability of fisheries to future AVG outbreaks and providing managers with the necessary tools for biosecuring wild and farmed stocks at regional, state and national scales.
The fact that some animals from AVG affected wild stocks survived the disease outbreak suggests the ....AVG remains the greatest threat to the economic viability and stability of the abalone industry in south-eastern Australia. As a consequence, there is an urgent need for strategic research aimed at determining the likely vulnerability of fisheries to future AVG outbreaks and providing managers with the necessary tools for biosecuring wild and farmed stocks at regional, state and national scales.
The fact that some animals from AVG affected wild stocks survived the disease outbreak suggests they were either fortunate enough to have avoided coming into contact with the virus or are genetically resistant to the disease. A research program aimed at characterising AVG resistance in Australian wild abalone fisheries is expected to provide benefits to wild and farm fisheries at a national scale. If AVG resistance is present in wild abalone stocks, and its genetic basis can be characterised, there will be unique opportunities to:
1) Rapidly and cost-effectively screen stocks across all wild fisheries to determine the spatial prevalence of resistant genotypes and to gain an understanding of how biosecure wild abalone stocks are likely to be in the event of AVG re-emergence
2) Biosecure wild stocks through the movement of animals from ‘AVG resistant’ to ‘AVG vulnerable’ stocks as part of future restocking and translocation activities
3) Biosecure farm stocks across all states of Australia through the establishment of an AVG resistance breeding program
This project involves a direct partnership with AAGA, ACA and VFA and is expected to provide much needed insights into the vulnerability of abalone stocks to future AVG outbreaks, and the tools needed to bolster the biosecurity of wild and farmed abalone stocks. As a result, this project has the potential to dramatically improve the economic viability of this rapidly expanding industry.
Objectives: 1. This project will leverage the support of the abalone wild harvest and aquaculture industries, and the Victorian state government to determine if genetic resistance to the AVG virus persists in Australian wild blacklip abalone fisheries. This project will adopt state-of-the-art population genomic technologies to contrast genomic profiles of 350 individual abalone distributed across AVG affected and unaffected blacklip abalone stocks from Victorian Western and Central zone fisheries. Genomic variants differentiating animals from AVG affected and unaffected source stocks are expected to be indicative of a selective sweep and AVG resistance. Genomic variants associated with AVG resistance will act as the necessary markers for surveying the virus resilience/vulnerability of wild fishing stocks, and biosecuring wild fishing and farm stocks by providing a basis for a future virus resistance breeding program. Read moreRead less
Determine The Risk That Southern Rock Lobster Fishing And Other Recreational And Commercial Fishing Activities Act As A Vector Of Transmission Of The Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$130,349.30
Summary
This project would utilise the combination of a systematic review of literature and industry consultation to provide a thorough risk assessment of AVG impacting other areas and industries. Risk analysis is a well-established scientific method and is commonly used by veterinary epidemiologists to allow objective assessment of the risks of animal production or harvest practices or trade in transmitting animal diseases. This project seeks to apply risk assessment to explore the risk that SRL fishe ....This project would utilise the combination of a systematic review of literature and industry consultation to provide a thorough risk assessment of AVG impacting other areas and industries. Risk analysis is a well-established scientific method and is commonly used by veterinary epidemiologists to allow objective assessment of the risks of animal production or harvest practices or trade in transmitting animal diseases. This project seeks to apply risk assessment to explore the risk that SRL fishers and other activities pose to transmission of AVG and what level of risk mitigation is required to manage that risk. It may be possible to relax fishing and movement restrictions if the risk can be mitigated, or wider consideration of more activities may lead to risk mitigation recommendations for various activities.
Objectives: 1. Assess the risk that Southern Rock Lobster fishing operations (the use of pots and fishing vessels) act as a vector of transmission of AVG. 2. Assess the risk that other commercial and non-commercial fishing activities act as a vector of transmission of AVG. This will include:• recreational fishing (including boating activities)• abalone fishing and associated activities such as cleaning abalone catch enroute to port• a representative net fishing industry.We note that the Victorian Government has completed a risk assessment on abalone diving and we will not repeat that, instead review their risk assessment and include that in our project to be efficient. Read moreRead less
External Review Of Independent Data Validation Options, Uses And Opportunities
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$308,754.00
Summary
Introduction Independent data validation in commercial fishing is becoming more commonplace in Australia. Fisheries in Australia provide a significant income to the country, and play an integral role in our food security, livelihoods, and social lives. Challenges such as overfishing, illegal and unreported fishing, bycatch and interactions with threatened, endangered, or protected species, provide hinderances to fully sustainable fishing. The increasing demands on the marine environment for ....Introduction Independent data validation in commercial fishing is becoming more commonplace in Australia. Fisheries in Australia provide a significant income to the country, and play an integral role in our food security, livelihoods, and social lives. Challenges such as overfishing, illegal and unreported fishing, bycatch and interactions with threatened, endangered, or protected species, provide hinderances to fully sustainable fishing. The increasing demands on the marine environment for energy production, marine protected areas, and recreational use are leading management of fisheries in Australia to be spatially based. Currently, some jurisdictions in Australia (e.g. Queensland, Tasmania, Australian Fisheries Management Authority), have already introduced independent data validation programs. The aim of these programs is, on the surface, to improve the quality, reliability, and transparency of fisheries data in Australia. However, there is considerable distrust from commercial fishers regarding a) data collection methods; b) the use of collected data; c) the legality of both collecting, and storing data; d) the cost of installing and running the systems – both financial and physical; e) ongoing maintenance of systems; f) the reliability of data from the systems, and g) whether the data are actually going to be used for their intended purpose. Recognising the need for greater transparency in fisheries data, and the general distrust of these systems, this project aims to provide an external review of data validation options, uses, and opportunities within Australia. Objective The primary objective of this project is to address industry stakeholders’ concerns regarding the reliability and transparency around the collection, use, and storage of independent fisheries data validation methods. This will be achieved by conducting a comprehensive, and systematic review of independent data validation (IDV) processes both within Australia, and globally. The review will then allow us to evaluate IDV mechanisms, legal implications around IDV, and economic considerations of various IDV methods, including whether any value-add opportunities exist. The project will provide outputs that will allow for efficient choice of relevant data validation options for particular fisheries in Australia, while outlining the pros and cons for relevant methods. The results will enhance confidence for commercial fishers, and fishery managers around choosing the best data validation options for their fishery.
Methods 1) Systematic literature review to determine available independent data validation methods We will research and compile a comprehensive list of independent data validation methods (IDV) that are available currently, and in the future through a systematic literature review. The systematic literature review will cover peer-reviewed literature and relevant reports published globally in the last 10 years. The review will examine existing technologies, methodologies, and best practices in IDV used in relevant industries (not just limited to fisheries), and present a summary of current best practice, and likely additions in the future to IDV. The review will include information on the potential add-on possibilities associated with IDV methods – which will be expanded upon in (4). The review will equip industry stakeholders with the knowledge to fully understand the range of options in IDV, and those most suitable for their fishery. 2) Stakeholder consultation – strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) Within the project we will conduct an extensive survey across a diversity of fishers across Australia (including those that have already implemented IDV, and those that have not), to gather insight into the perceptions of independent data validation (IDV). Through this SWOT analysis, we will identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with current IDV mechanisms from the perception of industry, and map this to the published literature in point (1). This will allow us to address concerns from industry and identify those concerns that are representative of IDV globally. This analysis will serve as a foundational understanding of the industry's readiness and receptiveness towards adopting IDV and provide industry with independent information relating to their concerns. 3) Review of legal implications for IDV implementation, including case studies Alongside the systematic literature review in (1), we will conduct a thorough review of Australian legislation relating to IDV. This will include both publicly available legal documents, and information regarding internal policy documents from governmental departments. The review will include fisheries legislation and policy, data ownership, data licencing, data storing, and Freedom of Information requests that have occurred within the context of fisheries data relating to IDV. Some of industry’s concerns regarding IDV relate to how the data will be used outside of a fisheries context, and we will ensure that our legislative review includes advice regarding data use. The review will provide information on Australian legislation relating to IDV, and data collection, storage and sharing. 4) Assessment of value-add opportunities Building upon the findings from (1-3), we will assess the value-add opportunities presented by adopting IDV. This assessment will include a financial model similar to the one in the report “Challenges, Opportunities, and Costs of Electronic Monitoring” that was published by The Environmental Defence Fund in 2016 [REF] that will provide industry with a tool to investigate the costs and benefits of adopting various IDV methods. Additionally, we will explore how IDV can contribute to improved market access, stakeholder relationships, and sustainability credentials for fisheries businesses, alongside the potential of improved data quality from fisheries. Our work will build on our planned literature and legal review of independent data validation (IDV) and provide potential ‘value-add’ opportunities for commercial fishers, based on the information in the review. Some potential benefits may include: • Increased or improved market access (where IDV can demonstrate aspects of sustainable fishing practices required by, for example, sustainability labels such as the Marine Stewardship Council Certification). • Potential for selling or distribution of data to researchers / third parties (depending on data owners.
We will include updated outcomes and outputs from the project as detailed below, and will look to refine these with the Professional Fishers Association of New South Wales, commercial fishers, and the Steering Committee.
5) Best Practice Guidelines We will provide industry and fisheries resource managers with a Best Practice Guideline relating to IDV as a formal result from the steps (1-4) above. 6) Engagement with Industry Stakeholders Throughout the project, we will actively engage with industry stakeholders through workshops, focus groups, and one-on-one consultations to discuss project findings. This engagement will provide a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment among stakeholders towards implementing IDV practices. We will facilitate target outreach efforts engaging with industry associations, peak bodies, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other interested parties on the project progress.
Objectives: 1. Deliver a systematic literature review of global independent data validation methods, and the costs and benefits associated with implementing these in commercial fisheries. 2. Deliver a report on industry opinions and concerns based on stakeholder consultation 3. Deliver a review of legislation and policy that is relevant. and relating to independent data validation methods in Australia 4. Provide opportunities for stakeholder engagement in the project, and in discussions regarding the outcomes. Read moreRead less
Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) disease is caused by a herpesvirus (infection with abalone herpesvirus, AbHV) and was first detected in Victoria in December 2005. The last recorded instance of this disease in Victoria was in January 2010 at Cape Otway.
The disease was again confirmed in the Cape Nelson area on 2 May 2021. Since then, further detections have been made at several locations and has been confirmed in Victoria as far east as Cape Otway and as far west as the Discovery Ba ....Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) disease is caused by a herpesvirus (infection with abalone herpesvirus, AbHV) and was first detected in Victoria in December 2005. The last recorded instance of this disease in Victoria was in January 2010 at Cape Otway.
The disease was again confirmed in the Cape Nelson area on 2 May 2021. Since then, further detections have been made at several locations and has been confirmed in Victoria as far east as Cape Otway and as far west as the Discovery Bay Marine Park.
While the virus is active there is a need for the Victorian wild catch abalone fishers to urgently review past research, to inform a gap analysis and further research.
This review will support those involved in the outbreak and inform fellow members nationally with a summary of past research and a way forward with other research for up-to-date biosecurity protocols, surveillance, and diagnostic tools to aid rapid detection to future proof the industry. Relevant industry, government representatives and stakeholders will be kept informed and asked to comment and contribute issues and ideas for a cooperative structured way forward to build a common framework on which to establish a set of key actions and or priorities. At the end of a staged process a workshop will be organised to evaluate and reassess research needs, assess and implement research findings and if further gaps are identified develop a framework to action.
Objectives: 1. Conduct an analysis of past research on AVG, create a plain English summary and identify knowledge and research gaps that can be evaluated nationally by key stakeholders 2. Hold a workshop that will be a mixture of face to face and virtual so that key stakeholders can attend and participate in evaluation of suggested research projects identified 3. Prepare and provide a final report that clearly articulates research priorities for AVG in the short term and long term Read moreRead less