Tactical Research Fund: Reference Points For The Queensland Scallop Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$30,984.70
Summary
Reference points are essential for the effective management of any large fishery. The spatially complex nature of scallop fisheries makes the construction of robust reference points difficult. FRDC project 1999/120, "Reference point management and the role of catch-per-unit-effort in prawn and scallop fisheries", concluded that "new types of data are essential to improve the accuracy of stock assessments, such as spatial indices of abundance collected through fishery independent sampling and VMS ....Reference points are essential for the effective management of any large fishery. The spatially complex nature of scallop fisheries makes the construction of robust reference points difficult. FRDC project 1999/120, "Reference point management and the role of catch-per-unit-effort in prawn and scallop fisheries", concluded that "new types of data are essential to improve the accuracy of stock assessments, such as spatial indices of abundance collected through fishery independent sampling and VMS", and that "more accurate and robust reference points may exist using these data". FRDC project 2006/024, "Harvest strategy evaluation to optimise the sustainability and value of the Queensland scallop fishery", made effective use of both these data types to answer questions about the optimal timing of spatial closures and other management strategies. The proposed TRF project will build on this work by completing the path to adoption of the recommendations contained in the 2006/024 report, and noted by the FRDC external reviewer (review attached). In particular this will involve using the already constructed HSE framework to devise and test robust reference points.
In order to adopt the recommendations from FRDC project 2006/024 in the current review of management arrangements for the fishery, Fisheries Queensland requires this additional work on sustainability reference points. This work on the sustainabililty reference points is required to be completed by August 2010 with a final report available no later than September 2010. Objectives: 1. Propose and construct a set of reference points for the scallop fishery (e.g. target and limit effort) 2. Test the reference points in the (already constructed) MSE framework, i.e. what levels for the reference points perform best in terms of the sustainability and profitability indicators Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Assessing The Technology Transfer And People Skills Requirements For The Introduction Of Mullet Processing On The East Coast Similar To Shark Bay Frozen Sea Mullet Fillets
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$13,104.00
Summary
Clearly the commercial fishers cannot contiune to catch mullet and only get 1980 prices. This is not economically viable. Mullet is a greatly under rated table fish and the opportunity to value add and present a product for the consumer that is ready to cook, packaged tastefully with several cooking options on the packaging is seen as a logical step.
The work that the Geraldton Fish Market has put into this is substanital and if the members of the CPFA can capitalise on this and adopt t ....Clearly the commercial fishers cannot contiune to catch mullet and only get 1980 prices. This is not economically viable. Mullet is a greatly under rated table fish and the opportunity to value add and present a product for the consumer that is ready to cook, packaged tastefully with several cooking options on the packaging is seen as a logical step.
The work that the Geraldton Fish Market has put into this is substanital and if the members of the CPFA can capitalise on this and adopt the technology and methods than we are learning from others within the industry.
We have to do something to improve the returns for the fishers otherwise we will not have a mullet meshing fishery and there is every likelihood that we will not attract the next generation of fishers as it will not be viable. Objectives: 1. Investigate and assess the adoptiveness of the frozen mullet fillet product from Shark Bay for the Clarence River 2. Identify ALL of the steps in the WA process and project these for the potential for a similar product for the Clarence. Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Topping Up The "Crystal Bowl" For Barramundi
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$62,000.00
Summary
Application 2010/018: A "Crystal Bowl" for Barramundi was submitted to the FRDC 2010 round. While the application was rejected the Board indicated it was sympathetic to the approach described and suggested further discussion with Recfishing Research in the development of any future application. It is proposed that a further application be developed for the FRDC 2011 round addressing the issues raised by the Board.
The "Crystal Bowl" concept will underpin any move to regional management ....Application 2010/018: A "Crystal Bowl" for Barramundi was submitted to the FRDC 2010 round. While the application was rejected the Board indicated it was sympathetic to the approach described and suggested further discussion with Recfishing Research in the development of any future application. It is proposed that a further application be developed for the FRDC 2011 round addressing the issues raised by the Board.
The "Crystal Bowl" concept will underpin any move to regional management which is dependent on fine scale data collection on Barramundi in the Fitzroy River system and remains pivotal to the further development of the concept.
Data collected will also be used as baseline data for two coal port developments proposed by Xstrata for the Fitzroy River. These proposals are in their early stages. One proposal at Balaclava Island at the mouth of the river could impact on Barramundi and Threadfin spawning grounds and the other to barge coal down the Fitzroy River will significantly disrupt fishing activities. Discussions are underway with consultants for Xstrata to establish a monitoring program however this is unlikely to commence until the project are approved.
The data required is commercial catch, recreational catch and recruitment. Also required are the environmental conditions including connectivity of wetland lagoons, river flows and rainfall.
Data on commercial catch is available from Fisheries Queensland. CapReef, a community based monitoring program, has collected data on recreational catch since 2007 and recruitment since 1999. A further application for the "Crystal Bowl" will not be submitted until November 2010 and if approved would not commence until around June 2011. Objectives: 1. Collection of commercial catch and recreational catch data for the Fitzroy River in 2010-11 2. Collection of Barramundi recruitment and environmental data for the 2011 recruitment season from January to April 3. Use of that data in the development of commitment to local or regional management among local stakeholders and as baseline data for estimating the impact of proposed coal port developments for the Fitzroy River Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. To identify spawning seasons for V largillierti and K Scalarini and quantify seasonal changes in meat condition 2. Conduct any larval and nursery experiments needed to overcome problems experienced during large scale hatchery and nursery production runs 3. Establish grow-out trials on commercial farms and on a replicated experimental scale 4. Establish whether Tasmanian calm populations differ genetically from southern mainland and New Zealand populations Objectives: 1. To identify spawning seasons for V largillierti and K Scalarini and quantify seasonal changes in meat condition 2. Conduct any larval and nursery experiments needed to overcome problems experienced during large scale hatchery and nursery production runs 3. Establish grow-out trials on commercial farms and on a replicated experimental scale 4. Establish whether Tasmanian calm populations differ genetically from southern mainland and New Zealand populations 5. Objectives as stated in Part B B4 of the Agreement Read moreRead less
Testosterone Intervention For The Prevention Of Diabetes Mellitus In High Risk Men: A Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,054,654.00
Summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is increasingly common, costly and deadly. Some men at risk of T2DM have low testosterone (T) levels. Our preliminary data suggests that T treatment may prevent the development of T2DM, and improve cardiovascular and sexual function, body composition and bone density, and mood. This remains to be fully tested in a randomized placebo-controlled trial, and this project will do so in a 2-year study of T treatment compared to placebo in men at risk of T2DM participating in a l ....Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is increasingly common, costly and deadly. Some men at risk of T2DM have low testosterone (T) levels. Our preliminary data suggests that T treatment may prevent the development of T2DM, and improve cardiovascular and sexual function, body composition and bone density, and mood. This remains to be fully tested in a randomized placebo-controlled trial, and this project will do so in a 2-year study of T treatment compared to placebo in men at risk of T2DM participating in a lifestyle program.Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Sea Ranching Trials For Commercial Production Of Greenlip (Haliotis Laevigata) Abalone In Western Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$40,000.00
Summary
Ocean Grown Abalone Pty Ltd is at the point of commercialising abalone ranching at the company’s aquaculture lease site in Augusta, Western Australia. An important part of the commercialisation process is a commercial trial, currently underway, to determine: - optimal type of habitat structure - optimal size at release - optimal density - location (3 experimental sites within Flinders Bay at different depth & habitat profiles) - compare & assess mortality % as related to abo ....Ocean Grown Abalone Pty Ltd is at the point of commercialising abalone ranching at the company’s aquaculture lease site in Augusta, Western Australia. An important part of the commercialisation process is a commercial trial, currently underway, to determine: - optimal type of habitat structure - optimal size at release - optimal density - location (3 experimental sites within Flinders Bay at different depth & habitat profiles) - compare & assess mortality % as related to above variables. - compare & assess growth rates as related to the above variables.
The project is needed so that data collected during the duration of the survey can be analysed and collated in report suitable for peer review. The Company considers the peer review process as being a key step in upholding scientific rigor of the company's internal research activities. Third party validation (by CURTIN UNIVERSITY) of the company's data will assist in satisfying investor confidence in the way we are approaching our activities.
This project may revolutionise greenlip abalone aquaculture in Australia - there are no power costs, no feed costs, product quality is the same as 'wild-caught', capital costs are significantly lower and has comparitively lower operational costs compared with traditional land-based abalone aquaculture. Objectives: 1. To have sampling methods used in the enhancement trial independently validated 2. For data collected by the trial to be analysed and presented in a report suitable for peer review Read moreRead less
Reducing The Greatest Uncertainty In Radiotherapy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,197.00
Summary
The weakest link in radiotherapy is defining treatment volumes (contouring). Lack of accuracy and consistency in clinical trial contouring has been shown to result in reduced patient outcomes. Manual review of contouring is resource intensive, expensive and for advanced treatments unachievable in a timely fashion. We will assess an automated approach to contouring assessment using 4 clinical trial datasets, changing practice for future studies and enabling consistent assessment in the clinic.
The Treatment Of BOoking Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Study: The TOBOGM Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,197,280.00
Summary
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) related pregnancy complications are reduced with treatment from 24-28 weeks pregnant. Many women are diagnosed/treated earlier without evidence of benefit and possible risk of harm. In TOBOGM women under 20 weeks pregnant with mildly raised blood glucose will be allocated by chance to either immediate treatment, or awaiting a repeat diabetes test at 24-28 weeks pregnant to decide treatment. Harmful and beneficial effects on mother and baby will be compared.
Tactical Research Fund: Workshop To Scope A Longline Trial To Target Gummy Shark In Waters Off SA And Quantify Bycatch And Interactions With TEP And High Risk Species
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$24,709.58
Summary
At the time of writing this research proposal, many shark gillnet fishermen operating in waters off South Australia are not going out fishing because of the cost of 100% observer coverage (~$1000/day) and because many of their most valuable fishing grounds have been closed to protect Australian Sea Lions. Fishing and onshore businesses that are dependent on the catch of Gummy Shark are suffering extreme financial hardship and some are already up for sale. Although the current AFMA direction may ....At the time of writing this research proposal, many shark gillnet fishermen operating in waters off South Australia are not going out fishing because of the cost of 100% observer coverage (~$1000/day) and because many of their most valuable fishing grounds have been closed to protect Australian Sea Lions. Fishing and onshore businesses that are dependent on the catch of Gummy Shark are suffering extreme financial hardship and some are already up for sale. Although the current AFMA direction may only be in place for 6 months, it is likely to continue in some form, and many fishers cannot see a future for gillnets off SA because of their potential impact on ASLs and the measures that will need to be implemented to protect them. If their businesses are to become viable again and have any future, they need to find another method of targeting gummy shark. Demersal longlines offer that opportunity.
The fishery is now between a rock and a hard place: if it stays with gillnets, it faces an bleak future with concern about ASL and other TEP bycatch requiring, large closures and tighter management; by moving to longlines, ASL bycatch will be negligible but the bycatch of conservation-dependent School Sharks and different TEP species may be an issue as well as concern about high catches of fish targeted by neighbouring fisheries. Also, current management arrangements are critically dependent on the highly size-selective nature of current 6 inch gillnet mesh size which prevents the capture of large mature sharks and hence preserves the breeding population. Whilst it presently has significant opposition, the move to longlines seems the only future for SA gummy shark fishermen. A dedicated research project is required to answer many of the concerns about the use of demersal longlines to target Gummy Shark.
Objectives: 1. Hold a workshop about the potential for longlines to target Gummy Shark in SESSF waters off South Australia. 2. Clarify the issues and concerns of the wide range of stakeholders at the workshop. 3. Develop the detailed design of a longline trial, focusing on trial method, fishing gear and obtaining the information required to help inform stakeholder concerns. Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. To design and manufacture a prototype mechanical device for in situ cleaning of salmon ne biofouling 2. To determine the optimum mechanism by which biofouling can be removed from salmon nets, without the necessity of removing the nets from service 3. To design and commission an automated system with which a suitable cleaning device can be applied, in situ, to salmon nets