Environment Social Governance (ESG) Framework Plan For Fisheries And Aquaculture
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) is seeking support to plan and develop an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework for fisheries and aquaculture to address the requirements of several stakeholders (government, investor, consumers) and be a leader addressing key current and emerging ESG trends and expectations. The ESG Framework would cover all fisheries and aquaculture sectors (Indigenous, commercial, wild catch, and recreational).
The proposal ....The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) is seeking support to plan and develop an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework for fisheries and aquaculture to address the requirements of several stakeholders (government, investor, consumers) and be a leader addressing key current and emerging ESG trends and expectations. The ESG Framework would cover all fisheries and aquaculture sectors (Indigenous, commercial, wild catch, and recreational).
The proposal sets our suggested approach to developing an ESG framework development plan for Australian fisheries and aquaculture. It includes our proposed methodology, budget and work plan, as well as information on our team and experience. The overarching objectives of this engagement are as follows: - Identify the unifying purpose of an ESG framework for Australian fisheries and aquaculture, the drivers that will shape it and the intended audience. - Review relevant frameworks, standards and agreements to identify existing requirements and best practice related to ESG for Australian fisheries and aquaculture. - Provide options for how the Australian fisheries and aquaculture sector could design and structure an ESG framework aligned to existing frameworks and systems, and reflecting monitoring and evaluation aspirations and the unique needs of fisheries and aquaculture. - Prepare an ESG framework development plan which clearly outlines and prioritises the steps that need to be taken to establish and build a mature framework for Australian fisheries and aquaculture.
Please refer to the attached file (Our Recommended Approach Section, pages 14 - 22) for our detailed approach based on our understanding of your needs (P0710649 Fisheries and aquaculture ESG Framework_V2_STC). Objectives: 1. To develop an ESG Framework Plan for fisheries and aquaculture covering all sectors (Indigenous, commercial wild catch, recreational fishing, aquaculture). Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. Locate trawlable grounds between Noosa and Point Danger with commercial quantities of prawn or fish resources to relieve pressure on known stocks off southern Qld
Elucidation Of The Characteristics Of Inland Fresh And Saline Water Bodies That Influence Growth And Survival Of Black Bream
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
Southern Western Australia has no native freshwater fish species suitable for recreational angling. Some sectors of the recreational fishing community propose that inland water bodies in Western Australia should be stocked with freshwater fish native to eastern Australia. However, the WA Fisheries Department consider that these water bodies be stocked with fish species native to Western Australia. Since black bream can be readily cultured and tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, i ....Southern Western Australia has no native freshwater fish species suitable for recreational angling. Some sectors of the recreational fishing community propose that inland water bodies in Western Australia should be stocked with freshwater fish native to eastern Australia. However, the WA Fisheries Department consider that these water bodies be stocked with fish species native to Western Australia. Since black bream can be readily cultured and tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, it is an ideal candidate for this role.
The future stocking of inland water bodies by black bream require data on the optimum environmental conditions for growth and survival of this species. The following questions need to be answered for black bream that have already been introduced into these waters, (1) what is their growth rate and survival, (2) what is their diet and (3) can they breed in these waters ? A monitoring programme should be established to determine the success of any trials. Laboratory experiments should be undertaken to elucidate how growth is influenced by salinity, a parameter that varies greatly in inland water bodies, and by temperature.
The agricultural community is keen to utilise those agricultural areas which have suffered from severe environmental degradation, particularly through salinisation. In some large areas the saline water table has risen to such an extent that those areas have been rendered useless for agriculture. Thus, the stocking of black bream for recreational fishing or tourist ventures would add value to otherwise worthless land and stimulate increased economic activity in these regions. Stocking of inland water bodies would also alleviate the severe fishing pressure on natural populations of black bream.
The Victorian Government is keen to utilise our results to exploit the salinised catchments of the Murray River and enhance the natural stocks of black bream that have been degraded by the activities of carp. Objectives: 1. To determine the characteristics of inland water bodies in which black bream have been privately stocked. 2. To determine which characteristics of inland water bodies result in a combination of good growth and survival of black bream. 3. To determine, using laboratory facilities, the influence of salinity and temperature on the growth and survival of black bream. Read moreRead less
The Australian Seafood Industry operates in a diverse and dynamic environment and although the volume produced in Australia is small by world standards, the value and quality of our product and sustainability of our practices are globally recognized. For the Seafood Industry to continue to be a world leader in seafood production and quality there must be an opportunity to learn from each other and plan for the future. The role of Seafood Directions is to provide a significant opportunity for ....The Australian Seafood Industry operates in a diverse and dynamic environment and although the volume produced in Australia is small by world standards, the value and quality of our product and sustainability of our practices are globally recognized. For the Seafood Industry to continue to be a world leader in seafood production and quality there must be an opportunity to learn from each other and plan for the future. The role of Seafood Directions is to provide a significant opportunity for fisheries researchers, fisheries managers and others who work in support of the industry, to examine key contemporary and strategic issues and develop blueprints that will ensure a sustainable, profitable and socially resilient seafood industry in Australia. As stated previously, this function of Seafood Directions is particularly valuable in the absence of a National Peak Industry body representing the Australian Seafood Industry as a whole.
The need for Seafood Directions is indicated by the ongoing supportof key stakeholders of the seafood industry, as is evident by the level of industry sponsorship and attendance at the conference. Objectives: 1. Plan and deliver the 9th Seafood Directions Conference in Perth Western Australia 2. Maintain a minimum of 200 registrations of which a minimum of 25% should be Harvesters 3. Further securing access rights through promoting the sustainability of fisheries as a result of certification processes and other initiatives 4. Setting the direction for marketing and promotion activities for the fishing industry for the next decade and beyond Read moreRead less
A Study Of The Impact Of Fishing Pressure On Midwater Ecosystems.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$13,680.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. • To design a statistically robust industry based experimental manipulation of fishing pressure to test assertions about the short to medium term impact of fishing disturbance on catches from established trawl grounds in the Western SEF.
A Code Of Conduct For A Responsible Seafood Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$5,000.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Develop a code of conduct that is agreed for adoption by industry, stakeholders and governments and the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture.
RFIDS: Australian National Recreational Fishing Conference 2012
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$120,000.00
Summary
The last national recreational fishing conference was held in 2008. It is recognised within the fishing industry, and supported by FRDC, that industry sectors need to hold a conference every 2 years to allow the sectors to showcase their achievements and provide a high level forum for issues affecting the industry. By 2012 it will be 4 years since the last recreational fishing conference. Key industry bodies Recfish Australia and AFTA have recognised the need for another national conference ....The last national recreational fishing conference was held in 2008. It is recognised within the fishing industry, and supported by FRDC, that industry sectors need to hold a conference every 2 years to allow the sectors to showcase their achievements and provide a high level forum for issues affecting the industry. By 2012 it will be 4 years since the last recreational fishing conference. Key industry bodies Recfish Australia and AFTA have recognised the need for another national conference for some time. The Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee, as part of the Recreational Fishing Industry Development Strategy, has also recognised the need for a national conference.
For the conference to be world-class, there is a need for participation to be broadened to encompass parts of the industry that have not been previously involved (eg boating) and to include agencies whose decisions impact on recreational fishers (eg marine park agencies). The conference will focus on the future of recreational fishing in Australia and addressing issues related to that in a practical and innovative manner. The conference also needs to build on the Recreational Fishing Industry Development Strategy.
There is also a need to develop the leadership skills of the next generation of recreational fishers by exposing them to issues and areas of concern that they will need to address in the future. The concept of succession planning is of paramount importance to the future management of the industry. The conference will allow current and future leaders to develop key strategies to improve the engagement of recreational fishers in decision making that impacts on recreational fishing. Objectives: 1. Survey key industry stakeholders and potential attendees to contribute to the input and expectations for a National Recreational Fishing Conference and use the results to assist in the design of the 2012 National Conference. 2. Host a world-class National Recreational Fishing Conference in 2012. 3. Engage with participants at the National Conference to identify at least three key national projects to be developed and implemented following the conference. 4. Presentation of Recreational Fishing Awards. 5. Publication of the proceedings of the conference. Read moreRead less
International Environmental Instruments And Actions - Their Effects On The Fishing Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$39,690.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Identify, describe and analyse, from an Australian fishing industry perspective, the major aspects of relevant international environmental instruments that impact or have the potential to impact on the fishing industry 2. Prepare a concise plain language report on current developments in relevant international fora, paying particular attention to (but not exclusively) developments in GATT, FAO and the OECD 3. Prepare a concise plain language report on current devel ....Objectives: 1. Identify, describe and analyse, from an Australian fishing industry perspective, the major aspects of relevant international environmental instruments that impact or have the potential to impact on the fishing industry 2. Prepare a concise plain language report on current developments in relevant international fora, paying particular attention to (but not exclusively) developments in GATT, FAO and the OECD 3. Prepare a concise plain language report on current developments in relevant international fora, paying particular attention to (but not exclusively) developments in GATT, FAO and the OECD 4. Identify and analyse the key areas of potential action and any Australian fisherieslikely to be affected 5. Analyse the operational, fisheries management, legal and foreign policy implications of any action under international instruments 6. Identify strategies, both domestic and international, to avert or minimise any imact or potential impact on particular fisheries 7. Identify opportunities for the Australian fishing industry in adhering to international instruments Read moreRead less
Assessing The Impacts Of Gillnetting In Tasmania: Implications For By-catch And Biodiversity
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$390,623.78
Summary
Commercial and recreational fishers are permitted to use gillnets in Tasmania. There are several classes of gillnet distinguished by mesh size - commercial gillnets include, small mesh, graball and shark nets, while recreational gillnets include mullet and graball nets. During the past 5 years around 150 commercial operators each year have reported gillnet use, for an average catch of 200 tonnes of scalefish. Recent information for the recreational sector is limited though recreational netting r ....Commercial and recreational fishers are permitted to use gillnets in Tasmania. There are several classes of gillnet distinguished by mesh size - commercial gillnets include, small mesh, graball and shark nets, while recreational gillnets include mullet and graball nets. During the past 5 years around 150 commercial operators each year have reported gillnet use, for an average catch of 200 tonnes of scalefish. Recent information for the recreational sector is limited though recreational netting remains popular, with over 10,000 net licences issued in 2009. Previous surveys indicate that recreational fishers target much the same species as commercial operators.
Over the past decade there have been several management initiatives, including a prohibition on night netting for most areas and, more recently, the introduction of maximum soak times. These initiatives have been designed to improve gillnetting practices, and reduce wastage and impacts on non-target species. Despite this, there have been conspicuous declines in the abundance of several key gillnet species along with increasing community concern about the ecological impacts of gillnetting. This concern has been particularly evident in the debate surrounding the introduction of marine protected areas, with gillnetting identified as a key threat to biodiversity. Furthermore, in the 2009 Scalefish Fishery review DPIPWE identified the need to develop strategic policy in relation to no-netting areas to address issues including resource sharing, wildlife interactions and stock management.
In view of the above, there is an urgent need to better understand how recent management initiatives have influenced netting practices, and to objectively assess the risks and impacts on target and non-target species. Ultimately such an understanding will be pivotal in informing the on-going debate over the future management of gillnetting in Tasmania. Objectives: 1. Synthesise available gillnetting information, with particular reference to links between operational parameters and catch composition 2. Determine catch composition and levels of by-catch associated with the main commercial gillnet fisheries 3. Assess implications of recent management changes on recreational netting practices 4. Assess the relationships between gillnet soak times, capture condition and by-catch survival 5. Evaluate the impacts of gillnetting on the biodiversity of key inshore ecosystems and potential strategies to mitigate these impacts Read moreRead less
A Bibliography Of FRDC And CRC Aquaculture Environmental Research Reports And Related Publications
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$51,750.00
Summary
On 25 October the Chair of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), the Hon. Harry Woods, announced to the National Seafood Directions Conference that the results from the last community perception study of the seafood industry was poor and that something needed to be done to rectify this situation. As a result, Mr Woods announced that FRDC would pro-actively promote the results of research to the Australian community, media outlets and seafood consumers, and formally respond t ....On 25 October the Chair of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), the Hon. Harry Woods, announced to the National Seafood Directions Conference that the results from the last community perception study of the seafood industry was poor and that something needed to be done to rectify this situation. As a result, Mr Woods announced that FRDC would pro-actively promote the results of research to the Australian community, media outlets and seafood consumers, and formally respond to factually incorrect media stories or information in the public arena.
Some activities are areas of work where a few stakeholders will work together. For example: + developing briefing notes on specific fishery issues, such as by-catch or interactions with non-target species.
This project supports this new FRDC direction. Objectives: 1. To provide the Australian “marketplace” with easily understood, factual information demonstrating the sustainable practices of selected aquaculture sectors 2. To build aquaculture’s social licence to operate. Read moreRead less