Common Approach To Greenhouse Gas Accounting; Platform – Build 1 (AIA Environmental Accounting Platform)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$370,000.00
Summary
AIA is in active conversations with a private sector consortium. These discussions continue to validate AIA’s approach and solution design. They see clear efficiencies in bringing the RDCs’ commodity-specific carbon research and knowledge together and want to be able to include this type of carbon footprint solution in their own client service offerings.
They are concerned about growers’ lack of preparedness to respond to increasing pressures around demonstrating their carbon footp ....AIA is in active conversations with a private sector consortium. These discussions continue to validate AIA’s approach and solution design. They see clear efficiencies in bringing the RDCs’ commodity-specific carbon research and knowledge together and want to be able to include this type of carbon footprint solution in their own client service offerings.
They are concerned about growers’ lack of preparedness to respond to increasing pressures around demonstrating their carbon footprint and have confidence in a not-for-profit company like AIA housing the solution and being trusted by growers.
There is acknowledgement that Australia is in a prime position to get this right from the start and avoid the duplication and fragmentation that other countries are now facing.
There were 13 RDCs participating in this phase, involving over 120 interviews across multiple commodities/sectors. Insights gathered include: • Many growers are operating mixed enterprises or are keeping that option open to manage risk into the future. • Concerns include market access, social license, environmental impact. • Most see a level of reporting required in the near-to-medium future, related to pressure from supply chains, finance or insurance sectors. • They want the ability to understand and make decisions for their enterprises before regulatory or supply chain pressures intensify. • Recognition of the need to bring all commodity calculators into one, consistent platform.
These insights speak to the growing importance of and need for the solution approach that AIA is taking.
A Discovery Insights Report, including a specific fishing and aquaculture report, was provide to FRDC in May 2023. Objectives: 1. To develop core infrastructure, being the digital infrastructure required for the initial integration and digitisation of calculators for access and use through the platform 2. To access calculators through the Platform updates recommended by the Technical Advisory Panel and approved by the Governance Group 3. To maintain the Platform to September 2024. 4. To supply resources to support communication of the Platform with FRDC levy payers 5. To integrate with Olrac, Deckhand, Catchlog and an aquaculture farm management software provider Read moreRead less
TNFD (Taskforce For Nature Related Financial Disclosure) - "Blue TNFD Pilot" - Three Case Studies Applying The TNFD Nature Related Risk And Opportunity Management And Disclosure Framework To Commercial Fisheries: Austral Fisheries, Western Rock Lobster Council (WRL) And Spencer Gulf And West Coast Fishermen’s Association (Spencer Gulf Prawns)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$138,700.00
Summary
Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC. Objectives: Commercial in confidence
Attendance And Participation At The Governing Changing Oceans Workshop And PICES-5th International Symposium On The Effects Of Climate Change On The World’s Ocean - Bergen Norway
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$15,000.00
Summary
Workshop: The workshop is being hosted Tiffany Morrison, Pip Cohen, Gretta Pecl and Emily Ogier. Their approach is to bring together a small group of exceptional multi-disciplinary researchers and practitioners with expertise in governance, fisheries, climate science, blue carbon, blue finance, blue conservation, Indigenous governance, co-management, and community resilience. It is our aim that discussions will be focused towards producing a jointly authored paper targeted at Nature or Science, ....Workshop: The workshop is being hosted Tiffany Morrison, Pip Cohen, Gretta Pecl and Emily Ogier. Their approach is to bring together a small group of exceptional multi-disciplinary researchers and practitioners with expertise in governance, fisheries, climate science, blue carbon, blue finance, blue conservation, Indigenous governance, co-management, and community resilience. It is our aim that discussions will be focused towards producing a jointly authored paper targeted at Nature or Science, complemented by a marine intervention governance protocol and self-assessment tool.
Similarly the ECCWO5 symposium will bring together experts from around the world to better understand climate impacts on ocean ecosystems, the ecosystem services they provide, and the people, businesses and communities that depend on them. The 2023 event will highlight the latest information on how oceans are changing, what is at risk, responses that are underway, and strategies for increasing climate resilience, mitigation and adaptation. It aims to identify key knowledge gaps, promote collaborations, and stimulate the next generation of science and actions.Read moreRead less
Managing Ecosystem Interactions Across Differing Environments: Building Flexibility And Risk Assurance Into Environmental Management Strategies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,078,729.00
Summary
This project addresses FRDC program 1 (Environment) priority 23. In order to double production by 2030 the Salmon industry in Tasmania must consider alternate production approaches and expansion into new areas. However, maintaining high environmental performance (a priority for both the industry and its regulators) requires an understanding of how farming in new areas might change environmental interactions. In order to ensure that management remains best practice, and farms continue to be ....This project addresses FRDC program 1 (Environment) priority 23. In order to double production by 2030 the Salmon industry in Tasmania must consider alternate production approaches and expansion into new areas. However, maintaining high environmental performance (a priority for both the industry and its regulators) requires an understanding of how farming in new areas might change environmental interactions. In order to ensure that management remains best practice, and farms continue to be efficient and sustainable, assessment of the local scale impact/ recovery dynamics and potential interactions with other resource users is required in newly developed farming environments and under different farming technologies. In addition understanding how farms interact with the various processes and ecosystems in the water-bodies where they occur and the various scales for those interactions (local, medium and broad-scale) will provide an important basis for establishing an effective strategy for system-wide management, including management of interactions with other users of the water-bodies. It is clear from discussions with various resource users (i.e. fish farmers and commercial and recreational fishers) that the perception of potential risks differs between Macquarie Harbour and the southern farming regions. In Macquarie Harbour a critical issue is whether the current on-farm monitoring (and local scale impact indicators are “fit for purpose” i.e. do they support sustainable management by providing an accurate understanding of sediment conditions. Whilst in the new farming areas in the southern regions (Lower Channel/ Storm Bay), although establishing the effectiveness of the local scale monitoring is important, the key concern is whether there may be adverse effects on reef health (i.e. off-site interactions) as a result of increased aquaculture activities. Therefore a key element of this study will be to provide a better assessment of the potential risk to reef systems from sediment deposition and nutrient dispersion from fish farms directly. Objectives: 1. Establish key recovery response principles and benthic condition criteria for all areas in which farming currently occurs – building on existing understanding to identify both generic and regionally specific performance criteria 2. Improve our understanding of sediment process interactions and recovery responses, in order to ensure that monitoring and management strategies are optimised for each growing region – a key objective will be relating the findings to the most important ecological and resource interactions of salmon farming in each region. 3. To evaluate the potential for interactions between local reef systems and salmon farming – determining the main risk factors, recommending risk appropriate monitoring and assessment approaches and identifying risk mitigation strategies where relevant. 4. To improve our understanding of how local scale (site based) environmental condition data, can integrate with local scale modelling to improve management outcomes – a key goal will be identifying how local scale understanding of sediment processes and benthic pelagic interactions can inform and be informed by regional modelling and management approaches. Read moreRead less
Capability & Capacity: 2024 Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America And Conference
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
Providing opportunities for fishing and aquaculture stakeholders to engage with the latest global information and technology, learn and network from leaders, innovators and practitioners in the electric and hybrid marine space is key to enabling innovation and adoption. Participants will experience and engage with technology, approaches and people via the expo and conference program.
Through attending, participants will build their capabilities and share knowledge with peers/stakeholde ....Providing opportunities for fishing and aquaculture stakeholders to engage with the latest global information and technology, learn and network from leaders, innovators and practitioners in the electric and hybrid marine space is key to enabling innovation and adoption. Participants will experience and engage with technology, approaches and people via the expo and conference program.
Through attending, participants will build their capabilities and share knowledge with peers/stakeholders to inform, enable and drive change in Australia. The project intends to maintain momentum through this investment, empowering stakeholders to communicate and extend their experiences to contextualise opportunities for Australia and encourage future participation and attendance at similar events.
Objectives: 1. Support up to 10 people to attend 2024 Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America Exhibition and Conference 2. Enable global, local, connection and collaboration across traditional and emerging sectors Read moreRead less
Alternate Energy Solutions For Aquaculture: A Seafood Industry Australia + Blue Economy CRC Collaboration
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$750,000.00
Summary
This project will provide a wholistic decarbonisation decision platform as the aquaculture industry builds its climate resilience. This will directly continue the work from existing projects (Climate Resilient Wild Catch Fisheries FRDC - Project Number: 2021-089) and offers both a ‘one stop shop’ approach for viable available options, as well as emerging solutions that are forecast.
The key activities are: 1 | Develop an aquaculture emissions operational framework 2 | Undertake ....This project will provide a wholistic decarbonisation decision platform as the aquaculture industry builds its climate resilience. This will directly continue the work from existing projects (Climate Resilient Wild Catch Fisheries FRDC - Project Number: 2021-089) and offers both a ‘one stop shop’ approach for viable available options, as well as emerging solutions that are forecast.
The key activities are: 1 | Develop an aquaculture emissions operational framework 2 | Undertake a technical readiness assessment - challenge and advantages, viability and scalability working with micro-project partners 3 | Undertake a suite of early mover pilot projects 4| Develop a Decarbonisation e-decision map 5 | Develop policy and funding reports to inform governance + policy makers + potential investors 6| Develop and deliver supporting outreach & communications assets
We are confident that our funding proposal offers a unique whole of industry pathway for decarbonisation, can leverage from BECRC technical experiences and programs and SIA membership networks, but also importantly take into account opportunities available to accelerate action around company readiness.
Early mover pilot project partners + NEW* Tassal Group Huon Salmon Yumbah Aquaculture Ocean Road *NEW This project will also accommodate an additional commercial partner looking for ocean energy focused solutions. This pilot will be subcontracted to AOEG through FRDC. Objectives: 1. To understand challenges facing the aquaculture sector relating to a changing climate, building resilience and accelerating decarbonisation 2. To determine opportunities to respond to those challenges, and validate solutions 3. To engage with industry leaders and innovators to explore and validate viable, feasible and scalable options towards climate resilience 4. To demonstrate rapid and practical progress towards climate resilience and elements of SIA’s Our Pledge 5. To build partnerships and relationships with national and global leaders to enable advancement of prioritised solutions that will enable improved climate resilience Read moreRead less
Sea Change: Co-developing Pathways To Mitigate And Adapt To A Changing Climate For Fisheries And Aquaculture In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,628,586.00
Summary
There is a need to increase effective engagement between fishing and aquaculture stakeholders and climate science and scientists in an ongoing strategic way, and not ‘just’ for single-project outcomes.
Improved engagement will help increase understanding of the likely implications of a changing climate in relevant contexts, and lay foundations for a shared exploration of available options for reducing risk exposure. We have worked with stakeholders and the FRDC Extension Officer Networ ....There is a need to increase effective engagement between fishing and aquaculture stakeholders and climate science and scientists in an ongoing strategic way, and not ‘just’ for single-project outcomes.
Improved engagement will help increase understanding of the likely implications of a changing climate in relevant contexts, and lay foundations for a shared exploration of available options for reducing risk exposure. We have worked with stakeholders and the FRDC Extension Officer Network to design a strategy that will engage fishing and aquaculture stakeholders on existing knowledge regarding risks and opportunities associated with a changing climate, to enable resource managers and researchers to better understand the ways in which many sectors are already adapting autonomously and to identify the barriers to further adaptation, and to co-design solutions that are relevant at local- and industry-levels to help build climate-ready communities and to stimulate economic resilience.
In many cases (but not all), extensive information regarding marine climate change - including key risks to fisheries and aquaculture producers (at a high level) - is already available, along with information on how to develop adaptation plans. However, despite this, progress and uptake within most sectors in terms of planned adaptation responses has been very slow – although many individual operators are already making ‘autonomous’ changes to their day-to-day operations in response to climate change drivers. If these changes are being made without access to best available knowledge, then it is very likely that substantial portions of these responses are maladaptive in the longer term, or may be countervailing to planned government adaptations (see Pecl et al 2019, Ambio, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13280-019-01186-x). This is a pattern evident within many different industries around Australia and across the rest of the world. ‘What’ needs to happen has thus been outlined in general terms in many cases, but such information is not co-developed or provided in consultation with end-users in ways that resonate or are useful to them. This project will address this need for relevance and usefulness.
The project aims to develop reflexive, ongoing, and two-way knowledge exchange between industry representatives, operators and manager, and the marine climate change impacts and adaptation research sector, so that solutions are co-designed, usable, and adoptable.
Objectives: 1. Work with seafood industry leaders to establish two-way climate conversations that can strengthen and underpin Australian fishing and aquaculture’s resilience to a changing climate. This approach will facilitate co-design of pathways to increase agility and build capacity for climate change adaptation with a select number of fisheries and aquaculture operations. This process will also create a model that can be applicable to other RDC’s. 2. Create a climate conversations platform to facilitate knowledge exchange (including identifying ‘gaps’ and shared issues), and thus capture, disseminate, and showcase:a. How fishing and aquaculture sectors are already adapting and responding to recent changesb. What has facilitated these changes made, and what the barriers are to further adaptationc. The story of fishing and aquaculture’s efforts towards achieving climate resilience - using a dynamic ‘story map’ approach, and other multi-media, communicate progress to target audiences. 3. Identify a) key factors influencing the agility of fisheries and aquaculture to adapt to climate change, and b) which factors (e.g. opportunities) are most important for adaptation capacity-building for different types of operations - building on work underway across multiple domestic and international projects and working groups. 4. Co-develop pathways, with a select number of fisheries and aquaculture operations, to increase their agility and build sector capacity for climate change adaptation and resilience. 5. Support the development of communities of practice for groups of fisheries and/or aquaculture operations that have similar opportunities and pathways – to support increased agility and capacity building for climate change adaptation (determined in objective 3). Read moreRead less
Rebuilding Abalone Populations To Limit Impacts Of The Spread Of Urchins, Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis And Other External Impacts
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$340,000.00
Summary
Local abalone populations can be severely depleted by a range of impacts, including loss of habitat from the spread of sea urchins, diseases such as AVG and Perkinsus, environmental change and theft. Many of these impacts have been increasing for over a decade, although impacts of sea urchins on abalone and reef habitats in the last 5 years have been spreading in eastern Victoria, and appear related to climate change. Similarly, impacts remain from the spread of AVG through western Victoria.Local abalone populations can be severely depleted by a range of impacts, including loss of habitat from the spread of sea urchins, diseases such as AVG and Perkinsus, environmental change and theft. Many of these impacts have been increasing for over a decade, although impacts of sea urchins on abalone and reef habitats in the last 5 years have been spreading in eastern Victoria, and appear related to climate change. Similarly, impacts remain from the spread of AVG through western Victoria.
There is evidence that production from commercial abalone fisheries continues to be reduced by the ongoing increase in external impacts to local abalone populations. While tools have been developed at a small-scale to help recover abalone populations, there is a strong need to investigate, implement and assess these at a larger scale to be able to minimise further impacts and recover productivity of abalone populations.
VicFRAB this year rated its highest priority to facilitate the investigation of translocating abalone to address declines caused by urchins and disease. Similarly, the NSW DPI strategic research plan identifies a priority to "determine methods to restore depleted reefs of abalone through techniques such as transplants, habitat rehabilitation and reseeding". The ACA Strategic Plan also details actions to plan and support remedial action to reduce the impact of pests, disease and theft on abalone.
The ongoing spread of impacts to local abalone populations is having a broad impact on shallow reef habitats. Small-scale research has demonstrated the potential of recovery techniques, but have not been implemented at a broad scale to actually attempt to recover lost productivity. This project will address the need to investigate the scaling up of recovery techniques, and their costs and long-term benefits, in an attempt to recovery lost productivity from abalone populations in south east Australia. Objectives: 1. Identify and prioritise sites and strategies for assessment to recover shallow reef habitat and productive abalone populations 2. Assess strategies for recovery of shallow reef habitats and productive abalone populations. 3. Develop a business plan to guide ongoing future actions and strategies to extend the project outputs and rebuild abalone populations. Read moreRead less