Effects Of Biological And Environmental Factors And Of Fishing Practices On Recruitment And Abundance Of Scallops
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$55,396.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To determine information needs for developing a predictive model based on environmental and fisheries variables 2. To collate all the existing and relevant local data on scallop recruitment and abundance, associated environmental factors and fishing effort 3. Combine these data into a model describing relationships between environment, fishing effort, recruitment and abundance 4. Build a model of the fishery using the Port Phillip Bay data (which is the most ....Objectives: 1. To determine information needs for developing a predictive model based on environmental and fisheries variables 2. To collate all the existing and relevant local data on scallop recruitment and abundance, associated environmental factors and fishing effort 3. Combine these data into a model describing relationships between environment, fishing effort, recruitment and abundance 4. Build a model of the fishery using the Port Phillip Bay data (which is the most comprehensive data set). Include sensitivity analysis. Identify any additional data needs 5. Determine suitabilityof the Port Phillip Bay model for modelling the scallop fishery in south-eastern Australia 6. Recommend further course of action for data collection and fisheries management in order to refine the model Read moreRead less
NCCP: Review Of Carp Control Via Commercial Exploitation
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$36,863.00
Summary
The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) is presently considering strategies that will effect widespread control of a dominant invasive freshwater fish, the Carp (Cyprinus carpio). Carp have a significant negative impact on social, environmental and economic ($500 million per year) outcomes in aspects of water quality, amenity and biodiversity. Carp dominate the Murray–Darling Basin, making up 80-90 per cent of the fish biomass in places. In Australia, the use of a biological control agent, the na ....The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) is presently considering strategies that will effect widespread control of a dominant invasive freshwater fish, the Carp (Cyprinus carpio). Carp have a significant negative impact on social, environmental and economic ($500 million per year) outcomes in aspects of water quality, amenity and biodiversity. Carp dominate the Murray–Darling Basin, making up 80-90 per cent of the fish biomass in places. In Australia, the use of a biological control agent, the naturally occurring carp herpesvirus, could significantly reduce the number of carp in our freshwater systems [1-3]. The NCCP will map out the best approach to manage the required work safely with a key step towards the potential strategic release of carp herpesvirus being community consultation.
One common theme amongst community comments about carp control is “Can we fish them all out through overfishing?” Proponents cite examples of over-exploited commercial fisheries worldwide that have collapsed. This reaction is particularly prevalent amongst the commercial fishing sector of the community [4]. Similar arguments are made against investment in many ‘technologies’ for many vertebrate pest-control strategies; particularly where the pest-animals have a value in an exploitative industry or where effective alternatives are lacking. Other fish-examples include Asian carp species in the Mississippi Basin (Visser 2017), Lionfish in the Caribbean (Downey 2017) and Aripaima or Paiche invading Bolivia (Snyder 2017). Existing studies of the feasibility of Carp control by removal are few in Australia [5, 6] particularly in peer reviewed literature [7]. There is a clear need for peer-reviewed evaluation (including a plain-speech, magazine article version) of the potential for commercial, or subsidised, fishery exploitation to effectively control carp populations in Australia. The proposed research will inform the community consultation process about the potential for deliberate overfishing to complement or to be an effective alternative to virus release.
Objectives: 1. Review literature on control of vertebrate pests through commercial exploitation (with emphasis on pest-fish) 2. Use CarpSim software to explore the limits of critical factors identified in the literature review, with respect to control of Carp in Australia through commercial exploitation 3. Summarise findings of review (1) and modelling (2) in lay persons terms, in a magazine article, to answer questions such as "Can we just fish them all out with commercial fishing?" 4. Prepare and submit a research article based on review (1) and modelling (2) for publication in a peer-reviewed, open-access, scientific journal Read moreRead less
Seafood CRC: Extending Biotoxin Capability And Research In Australia Through Development Of An Experimental Biotoxin Contamination Facility To Target Industry Relevant Issues
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
Recent projects on rocklobster and abalone have generated useful information that is now incorporated into their management programs. Australia is now better positioned to control risk in this area; however biotoxins still present an ongoing issue across a broad range of seafood types presenting both public health and market access risks. There are critical knowledge gaps in understanding uptake pathways for the toxins, the use of rapid test kits, the effects of processing and access to contamin ....Recent projects on rocklobster and abalone have generated useful information that is now incorporated into their management programs. Australia is now better positioned to control risk in this area; however biotoxins still present an ongoing issue across a broad range of seafood types presenting both public health and market access risks. There are critical knowledge gaps in understanding uptake pathways for the toxins, the use of rapid test kits, the effects of processing and access to contaminated materials. The following research questions have been identified by industry that could be supported through this facility : Are the long-term closures currently implemented for abalone during A. tamarense blooms are necessary? What level of reduction in PST occurs during canning? DAWR has indicated it could allow harvest for product destined for canning during bloom periods if this level were known. Can the cost effective Neogen rapid test kit for PST be adapted for lobster hepatopancreas, significantly reducing monitoring costs? Are PST levels in lobster haemolymph indicative of levels in the hepatopancreas, and there usable for non-destructive sampling? Can we develop a model describing depuration time of PST in oysters in relation to temperature, salinity, flow rate and stocking densities to allow contaminated product to be depurated artifically prior to POMS season? In addition, no information is currently available on the physiological impact of blooms on lobster and abalone, and may be able to be collected during the experiments. There is also an on-going need for contaminated materials to support future research and quality assurance/quality control activities in this field. This will be particularly important for any industry run programs, as proposed with the rapid test kits.
Objectives: 1. Establish key infrastructure (a biotoxin contamination facility) able to be utilised concurrently by multiple industries (oysters, abalone and southern rock lobster) to resolve specific and varied issues related to biotoxins 2. Support future research and quality assurance programs through provision of a store of contaminated materials 3. Extend capability in biotoxin research in Australia 4. Resolve of at least one biotoxin related issue for each of the oyster, abalone and southern rock lobster industries Read moreRead less
Seafood CRC: Maximising The Quality Of Australian Wild-caught Prawns (Quality Assurance)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$177,179.94
Summary
Despite overwhelming support for industry investment to implement the national prawn market development strategy developed by Brand Council (CRC 2011/736), a major aligned industry concern was the inconsistent quality of, in particular wild caught prawns, and how this inconsistency may have the potential to negatively impact the market development activities. The Australian wild catch prawn industry is widely distributed and characterised by variation in geography, target species, operating/h ....Despite overwhelming support for industry investment to implement the national prawn market development strategy developed by Brand Council (CRC 2011/736), a major aligned industry concern was the inconsistent quality of, in particular wild caught prawns, and how this inconsistency may have the potential to negatively impact the market development activities. The Australian wild catch prawn industry is widely distributed and characterised by variation in geography, target species, operating/harvest systems, size of vessel and operator capabilities. Additionally, there can be high staff turnover, language and cultural differences and literacy issues. This leads to inconsistent product harvesting, brining, cooling, preserving, packaging and grading and/or inappropriate processing, which causes inconsistent product quality. Such quality issues can be exacerbated by poor handling at both retailer and consumer level.
While prawn quality standards have previously been created, there has been little integration, acceptance or uptake of these standards and associated training by indutry More often, standards have been created at fishery, company and vessel level, or are at the request of down chain partners. With considerable industry investment to both develop and implement the national Australian prawn strategy, there is now a greater incentive for the production of a consistent quality product to underpin the Australian prawn strategy messages/activities and ensure the best possible prawn experience for consumers.
Objectives: 1. The Australian prawn market development strategy is underpinned by supply of a consistent, high quality product. 2. To establish, trial, and evaluate the impact of a national, whole of chain, prawn quality program for grading, shelf-life, appearance and provenance of Australian prawns. Read moreRead less
NCCP: The Likely Medium- To Long-term Ecological Outcomes Of Major Carp Population Reductions
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$80,632.00
Summary
Release of CyHV-3 virus will be predicated on a sound understanding of the likely impacts of reductions in carp numbers both in terms of immediate effects and longer term ecological responses. Predicting post-control outcomes is particularly important where there may be permanent or transient impacts that may be negatively perceived. Recognising and quantifying uncertainty around these predictions is a critical component of providing advice on release and communication to managers and the genera ....Release of CyHV-3 virus will be predicated on a sound understanding of the likely impacts of reductions in carp numbers both in terms of immediate effects and longer term ecological responses. Predicting post-control outcomes is particularly important where there may be permanent or transient impacts that may be negatively perceived. Recognising and quantifying uncertainty around these predictions is a critical component of providing advice on release and communication to managers and the general public.
The essential needs are; a) A clear conceptualization of the role of carp across ecosystems to enable an expert elicitation of the likely impacts of carp control using CyHV-3. b) To understand how ecosystems may change under scenarios of carp control by CyHV-3 c) To be able to communicate these predicted changed with defined levels of confidence to the public.
The project will identify particular ecosystem attributes expected to change in response to carp control, for example native fish species diversity and abundance, water quality, algal composition and biomass. These metrics will be selected based on current monitoring programs, and conceptualized into simple diagrams which summarise the likely impacts of carp and carp control. This preliminary understanding will underpin exploration of particular control scenarios in terms of evidence available for making predictions of effects on ecosystem attributes. These predictions will be informed by the published literature and expert elicitation from NCCP management and expert panel members.
For all scenarios, the project needs to provide an assessment of the evidence underpinning the predictions of ecosystem response, including: • causal relationships between carp abundance and ecosystem attributes, and the role of other variables (e.g. land-use, geographic region) • identification of knowledge gaps
Objectives 1. Develop a conceptual framework and identify ecosystem attributes expected to change in response to carp control 2. Define attribute metrics and quantify attribute independence 3. Assess the confidence of the scientific evidence underpinning the predicted outcomes 4. Provide outputs that are clearly communicable to the general public and other Objectives: 1. Develop a conceptual framework and identify ecosystem attributes expected to change in response to carp control over the medium to long-term. 2. Define attribute metrics and quantify attribute independence 3. Assess the confidence of the scientific opinion /evidence underpinning the predicted outcomes 4. Provide outputs that are clearly communicable to the general public and other components of the NCCP Read moreRead less
Long-term Analysis Of The Sea-state In The Great Australian Bight
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$21,261.00
Summary
The Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Association (ASBTIA) operates in shelf and offshore waters of the Great Australian Bight (GAB). In recognition of the exposed nature of the offshore GAB environment, ASBTIA have requested information to better understand the climatology of the physical meteorological and oceanographic conditions which contribute to the ‘sea-state’ and ocean conditions at a deep water petroleum permit location in the Great Australian Bight.
This project will provide ....The Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Association (ASBTIA) operates in shelf and offshore waters of the Great Australian Bight (GAB). In recognition of the exposed nature of the offshore GAB environment, ASBTIA have requested information to better understand the climatology of the physical meteorological and oceanographic conditions which contribute to the ‘sea-state’ and ocean conditions at a deep water petroleum permit location in the Great Australian Bight.
This project will provide the oceanographic services required to identify, access and analyse long-time series of relevant met/ocean parameters and statistically describe their climatology in order to better understand the ‘sea state’ characteristics of the GAB and how they compare with sites located within other international oil production regions.
Objectives: 1. To understand the exposure and sea-state of the Great Australian Bight relative to three other regions of interest. 3. For each location and parameter (detailed in methods), provide a summary of monthly sea-state climatology described by the mean, variance, frequency and intensity. 3. For each location and parameter, determine of the probability of extreme events to occur at fixed return periods. Read moreRead less
Development Of A Hydrodynamic Model To Investigate Near Field And Regional Connectivity Around Okehampton Bay
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$332,469.00
Summary
Primarily this project is needed to satisfy the regulatory requirements of the Tasmanian salmon industry regulator, the EPA. Currently there is no calibrated local scale model that is suitable to provide connectivity information of the region in question. This proposal aims to develop a nested suite that may provide environmental information to assist in satisfying the salmon farming requirements in the region. Objectives: 1. A calibrated model is developed, where the model skill ....Primarily this project is needed to satisfy the regulatory requirements of the Tasmanian salmon industry regulator, the EPA. Currently there is no calibrated local scale model that is suitable to provide connectivity information of the region in question. This proposal aims to develop a nested suite that may provide environmental information to assist in satisfying the salmon farming requirements in the region. Objectives: 1. A calibrated model is developed, where the model skill is known and those connectivity characteristics can be bounded by levels of confidence. Read moreRead less
Economic Analysis Of The Tasmanian Fishing Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$47,422.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To determine the impact of the Tasmanian fishing industry on the local economy. 2. To assess the future growth prospects of the different industry components.
South Australia Innovative Solutions For Aquaculture Access And Management Initiative
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$9,960.00
Summary
1. The South Australian Government has clearly defined that the development of aquaculture, in particular finfish farming, is a high priority outcome. To ensure this happens it has identified outputs of defined specification to address the delivery of this outcome. This will be an ongoing program over many years that requires a novel program structure as opposed to the normal project structure undertaken by FRDC and PIRSA. The project will address this need by: 1.1 Providing the opportunity ....1. The South Australian Government has clearly defined that the development of aquaculture, in particular finfish farming, is a high priority outcome. To ensure this happens it has identified outputs of defined specification to address the delivery of this outcome. This will be an ongoing program over many years that requires a novel program structure as opposed to the normal project structure undertaken by FRDC and PIRSA. The project will address this need by: 1.1 Providing the opportunity to improve the current level of management adoption of research within South Australia. This is consistent with the FRDC’s recent call for management to have a greater influence on the direction of research and development and an increased role in the management, adoption and execution of research and development; 1.2 Providing a framework for better management of State funds in the context of research and development and management to ensure timely delivery of results; and 1.3 Providing greater certainty in planning research and development in the future as it gives a quantifiable investment that will be put into a specific program. This means there is an obligation by all parties to ensure that they meet their financial commitment. Objectives: 1. It is proposed that PIRSA and FRDC develop a partnership for the development of the aquaculture industry in South Australia with particular regard to finfish farming. This partnership will develop research and development critical to the ongoing regulation and development of this industry. 2. The partnership will develop the following outputs:·To establish a strategic policy and legislative framework based on the principles of ecologically sustainable development to build, manage and protect South Australia’s aquaculture resources.·To develop a decision support system for aquaculture integrating information from a variety of sources with objective qualitative and quantitative decision criteria and risk considerations to improve the clarity, transparency and certainty of tactical and strategic decision-making by regulators.·To improve aquaculture allocation decisions and management responses by developing risk-based spatial impact and carrying capacity models to increase understanding of the broad scale impacts associated with aquaculture.·To develop and adopt incentive instruments that are outcome focused and effectively integrate economic, social and environmental considerations to deliver better regulatory outcomes, reduced costs and greater innovation.·To develop appropriate decision criteria based on a widely accessible information management system, assessing population dynamics of sea lion colonies in proximity to aquaculture developments and developing better practice models for managing interactions between marine animals and aquaculture to ensure regulators and industry have the capacity to effectively manage interactions between marine animals and aquaculture.·To develop appropriate sustainability indicators, undertake an audit the sustainability of the industry and publish a State of the Aquaculture Industry Report to provide a transparent snapshot of the sustainability of South Australia’s aquaculture industry.·To develop techniques, knowledge and policies to ensure the effective management of parasites of yellowtail kingfish and interactions between farmed and wild populations to ensure the long-term sustainability of the yellowtail kingfish aquaculture sector. 3. Notwithstanding these known outputs it is intended that the needs of managers and the industry will be refined in real time. The purpose of this structure is to ensure that investment in other areas of research and development occurs in a structured manner that meets these needs. Read moreRead less
This project will address key aspects from four highly ranked SSJF research priorities as established by SquidRAG in 2005:
1. Understanding spatial distribution and the effects of environmental variability on squid. 2. Entrapment versus attraction, discovering the biological differences between jig and trawl caught squid. 3. Growth, reproduction, mortality and productivity 4. Squid predator-prey relationships
Research needs for the newly proposed tar ....This project will address key aspects from four highly ranked SSJF research priorities as established by SquidRAG in 2005:
1. Understanding spatial distribution and the effects of environmental variability on squid. 2. Entrapment versus attraction, discovering the biological differences between jig and trawl caught squid. 3. Growth, reproduction, mortality and productivity 4. Squid predator-prey relationships
Research needs for the newly proposed targeted mid-water trawl squid fishery for the GAB will also be addressed.
This project also sits squarely within two strategic goals within the FRDC R&D Program 1 Planned Outcome- Natural Resource Sustainability: (1) “To increase and apply knowledge of the biology of fish and their ecosystems” and (2) “To increase and apply knowledge of interactions between fish and their ecosystems”.
Previous research has established important biological parameters for arrow squid, it has also highlighted large temporal and spatial variability. This variability coupled with the extreme fluctuations in fishery production hinders successful management.
Understanding the role the environment plays in arrow squid population dynamics will help develop models and pinpoint periods when conditions are conducive to squid growth and recruitment.
Understanding whether different techniques (jig vs. trawl) target different components of the population is significant especially for future policies on total allowable effort (TAE).
Understanding squid diet is also important for ecosystem management (ie.; especially for the proposed GAB fishery that will also be harvesting potential prey).
It was recognised at the Canberra meeting that Australia does not have the capacity to undertake broad-scale pre-season recruit net surveys, but using both light trapping of recruits and ecosystem modelling were seen as feasible techniques for understanding recruitment and stock fluctuations.
Both the SquidMAC and the SquidRAG see ongoing research as extremely important for future informed management of the fishery. Objectives: 1. To investigate the influence of environmental and oceanographic variables on arrow squid growth and recruitment 2. To investigate the ecology, population dynamics of squid in the newly proposed mid-water trawl GAB fishery 3. To compare the biological composition of jig and trawl-caught squid 4. To describe the key components, spatial and temporal variability and environmental influences on the diet of arrow squid 5. To assess the use of light traps as samplers of juvenile squid recruitment 6. To develop an ecosystem model based on squid predator-prey relationships for squid stock assessment 7. To provide SquidMac with better information on environmental influences on stock fluctutations to assist in determining trigger points for the fishery 8. VARIATION TO CONTRACTOBJECTIVE 5 "To assess the use of light traps as samplers of juvenile squid recruitment" is still an objective of teh project but has been discontinued beacue this method was considered inappropriate as arrow squid were not attracted by the light traps" 9. VARIATION TO CONTRACTOBJECTIVE 3: "To compare the biological composition of jig and trawl-caught squid" Read moreRead less