Understanding The Impact Of Social, Economic And Geographic Disadvantage On The Health Of Australians In Mid - Later Lif
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,943,571.00
Summary
This research will examine the ways in which social, economic and environmental factors contribute to the health of Australians in mid to later life. It will help identify ways in which policy and preventive programs can contribute to improving health in mid to later life particularly among disadvantaged Australians. We will explore in detail social, economic and environmental factors in 100,000 people aged 45 and over; this will be the largest study of its kind ever undertaken in Australia. We ....This research will examine the ways in which social, economic and environmental factors contribute to the health of Australians in mid to later life. It will help identify ways in which policy and preventive programs can contribute to improving health in mid to later life particularly among disadvantaged Australians. We will explore in detail social, economic and environmental factors in 100,000 people aged 45 and over; this will be the largest study of its kind ever undertaken in Australia. We will examine the relationship between these social, economic factors, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, physical activity, environmental and obesity. This will enable us to identify where programs and policies should be directed to most rapidly improve the health of disadvantaged Australians.Read moreRead less
Mapping The Economic And Social Contributions Of The NT Seafood Industry – Part 2
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$295,760.00
Summary
The Northern Territory Seafood Council (NTSC) and the Northern Territory Government (NTG) recognise the vital need to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the economic impact of the NT seafood industry. This gap severely impedes effective advocacy for industry growth and development by the NTSC and hampers evidence decision-making. Without a comprehensive understanding of the industry's economic footprint throughout the supply chain of each major fishery/sector, it is challenging to address critic ....The Northern Territory Seafood Council (NTSC) and the Northern Territory Government (NTG) recognise the vital need to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the economic impact of the NT seafood industry. This gap severely impedes effective advocacy for industry growth and development by the NTSC and hampers evidence decision-making. Without a comprehensive understanding of the industry's economic footprint throughout the supply chain of each major fishery/sector, it is challenging to address critical issues and identify vulnerable points within the sector.
A whole of fishery and sector analysis, will provide essential insights for targeted advocacy and informed decision-making, fostering sustainable growth, enhancing resilience, and addressing critical issues within the Northern Territory's seafood industry.
Understanding the complete value of the NT seafood industry to the local community is crucial for making strategic decisions related to negotiations such as those concerning Blue Mud Bay and infrastructure investments. It will also contribute to ongoing investment in the industry.
The project aims to test economic protocols and processes identified in FRDC Project 2021-034 to establish cost-effective and valued systems beyond its duration. These systems will incorporate socio-economic information into decision-making processes and shift the culture from a government-driven collection process to one driven by the industry.
Without a plan to highlight the wider socio-economic value and benefits of the industry, the industry may face mounting pressure on its social license to operate, impacting access, industry structure, and fees. Moreover, the lack of understanding regarding the consequences of uncertainty surrounding secure access and potential loss of access for commercial fishers may have unintended effects on the NT seafood industry. Additionally, the limited availability of current financial and economic information for NT fisheries hampers economic analysis and the provision of advice to policymakers and decision-makers, hindering opportunities for growth and sustainability.
With that context in mind, NTSC experience to date identifies a number of known issues with existing data, including: - Limitations in the scope of data available which has historically excluded measurement of the contributions made by commercial charter fishing, processing of imported seafood, and activities downstream of immediate seafood processing (i.e. transport to retail markets, retail sector activity). - The poor quality of economic data (such as production, price and employment data) necessary to improve estimates of direct or initial effects from fishing, aquaculture production and processing in some fisheries and for some sub-sectors and seafood processing (where there is a need to further disaggregate ANZSIC categories or investigate alternative means of measurement for fisheries with too few licence holders for data to be reported). - Gaps in data regarding indirect contributions, including downstream production-induced and consumption-induced effects, where key data regarding employment, household-income and enterprise-level cost of production (i.e. expenditure on goods and services as inputs to fishing and aquaculture production) are unknown. - Gaps in data for a range of monetised and non-monetised social, environmental and cultural activities which contribute value to individuals and communities. While previous estimations have referred to the social contributions of fisheries and aquaculture to regional communities this has not involved any primary data collection or analysis of secondary data, requiring further work to select specific indicators and the basis of evidence.
In scoping and analysing the available data, the project will use third party providers to: - Ensure data collection methods are consistent and participant consent and privacy is achieved. The privacy of participants must be protected through adherence to the Australian Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), such that names of individuals are not recorded. Where the explicit informed consent of participants is required this may include a requirement to sign a consent form. Under circumstances where a vulnerable group is consulted, such as Indigenous Territorians, specific consent may be required from a Human Research Ethics Committee to ensure the data collection process causes no harm to participants. - Ensure data storage is secure and access is limited to the reasonable requirements of the project. All digital data (i.e. from an online survey) would be stored on a secure network with file access restricted to the nominated project team through use of file encryption and passwords. Any primary data collected cannot be used for any purpose other than that required to meet study objectives.
Objectives: 1. Understanding of the economic footprint of the NT seafood industry within the NT economy 2. Understanding of the economic footprint of the NT seafood industry within the Australian economy 3. Understanding the economic footprint of the main fishery sectors and their supply chains 4. Improved understanding and valuation of the NT seafood industry 5. Improved understanding of where the vulnerable points in the supply chain are Read moreRead less
Human Dimensions Research Coordination Program 2021-24
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$440,705.00
Summary
The operating environment within which Australian fisheries and aquaculture are positioned is complex, comprising economic, social and political institutions and organisations that are continuously being re-shaped by multiple external and internal drivers.
Addressing these specific drivers requires understanding of the human dimensions of fisheries and aquaculture, along with the biophysical. Human dimensions refers to the social, economic and cultural factors that affect outcomes for b ....The operating environment within which Australian fisheries and aquaculture are positioned is complex, comprising economic, social and political institutions and organisations that are continuously being re-shaped by multiple external and internal drivers.
Addressing these specific drivers requires understanding of the human dimensions of fisheries and aquaculture, along with the biophysical. Human dimensions refers to the social, economic and cultural factors that affect outcomes for both the seafood community and in terms of public good. This includes the attitudes, processes and behaviours of individual people, companies, management agencies, communities, organisations, consumers, and markets. Human dimensions research has been successfully applied to understand how to enable better outcomes for Australia's fisheries and aquaculture (e.g. improved social acceptability, resilience through shocks, inclusive growth, economic productivity), and what are the effective strategies to achieve this (e.g. market based mechanisms, behavioural approaches). It brings together research capability from a broad range of disciplines.
Historically, achieving the level of coordinated investment required to effectively deliver against this need has been hampered by a range of factors, which have included: • effective integration of human dimensions RD&E with biophysical sciences; and • research capability and expertise capable of undertaking such research to ensure end user needs are met.
The FRDC has invested substantively in human dimensions R&D capability in recognition of this need. Ongoing coordination and strategic development of human dimensions R&D activities will support the FRDC to deliver its Fish Forever 2030 vision: Collaborative, vibrant fishing and aquaculture, creating diverse benefits from aquatic resources, and celebrated by the community.
The FRDC considers Coordination Programs as critical to delivering relevant outcomes of the R&D Plan. With respect to Human Dimensions, it is evident that a planned R&D outcome can be achieved more successfully if expertise and related activities are developed and managed in a coordinated manner. Objectives: 1. Identify and coordinate the development of human dimensions R&D priorities through review and consultation with key stakeholders, and assist to develop scopes to address those priorities 2. Ensure quality and relevance of human dimensions R&D through technical and extension advice and support for FRDC management and project teams 3. Support management of external partnerships delivering human dimensions R&D across FRDC 4. Support development of FRDC human dimensions data and analytics 5. Inform FRDC and stakeholders of state of knowledge and capability, and emerging needs, in key human dimensions R&D areas relevant to the FRDC's R&D Plan outcome and enabling strategy areas 6. Support extension and adoption of R&D in key human dimensions R&D areas relevant to the FRDC R&D Plan outcome and enabling strategy areas 7. Develop and foster R&D collaboration on international initiatives in human dimensions research of relevance to Australian fisheries and aquaculture Read moreRead less
Social Science And Economics Research Coordination Program (SSERCP) – Economic Consultant Services
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$67,000.00
Summary
Request from Emily Ogier to sub contract Sarah Jennings for the economic component of the parent project 2015-300 Objectives: 1. To provide economic consultancy to the Social Science and Economics Research Coordination Program (SSERCP).
Social And Economic Evaluation Of The Victorian Wild-catch Seafood And Aquaculture Industry – STAGE 1
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$6,200.00
Summary
The need to evaluate the economic and social contribution of the Victorian Seafood Industry to Victorian communities has been identified by the VicRAC (formally VicFRAB) as an urgent and high priority. Currently no such data exist, but the need is clear. Firstly, an evaluation is required to inform the Victorian Government of the likely impacts of resource management decisions on coastal communities. Second, an evaluation is necessary to provide information to the Victorian public about the ben ....The need to evaluate the economic and social contribution of the Victorian Seafood Industry to Victorian communities has been identified by the VicRAC (formally VicFRAB) as an urgent and high priority. Currently no such data exist, but the need is clear. Firstly, an evaluation is required to inform the Victorian Government of the likely impacts of resource management decisions on coastal communities. Second, an evaluation is necessary to provide information to the Victorian public about the benefits that flow from the professional fishing sector, beyond a total annual value calculated from beach prices.
FRDC also have identified a strong need for a coordinated approach to evaluate the Industry across the States and Territories, so that a national picture of the value of Australian Seafood Industry can be determined.
Recent FRDC-funded research in NSW, led by A/Prof Kate Barclay, to evaluate the social and economic value of coastal professional wild-catch fisheries, has provided a strong basis for developing this national framework, and the methods suitable for addressing the specific needs of the Victorian Industry.
We propose the Victorian social/economic evaluation study consist of a two-stage approach, in order to ensure the most appropriate methods are used, the outputs are relevant, and that the evaluation achieves a high level of industry support and participation.
Stage 1 consists of developing a fully-costed methodology for a Victorian evaluation which also could be scaled up for a national evaluation. This stage would also develop collaborative partnership with, and support from, the Victorian Industry sectors.
Stage 2 would consist of the Evaluation Study itself – data collection, analysis and dissemination – based on the outputs of Stage 1.
Stage 1 would run in January 2017 – March 2017. Stage 2 EOI would be submitted to VicRAC for consideration in March 2017.
This application seeks support for Stage 1.
Objectives: 1. To develop a proposed set of work packages to evaluate the social and economic contribution of the Victorian seafood industry 2. To prioritise work packages in terms of cost, available data, feasibility, time, and what would be lost if not included in a Victorian evaluation of the seafood industry 3. To collaborate with the seafood industry to develop priorities and good engagement for a Victorian evaluation of the seafood industry 4. To collaborate with national stakeholders to ensure a Victorian study will be appropriate for scaling up to a national evaluation of the seafood industry 5. To use the workshops to develop a proposal for Stage 2, the social and economic evaluation itself Read moreRead less
Social Science Research Coordination Program (SSRCP) II
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$297,703.50
Summary
The initial project/phase of the SSRCP has been effective in creating recognition of the need for social science expertise. It has also identified need for a point of reference for FRABs and researchers and is relied upon by industry agencies as a point of co-ordination for fisheries social science research. The continuation of this coordination program is endorsed by the emerging understanding of the depth of social factors in fishing activities at the individual, business/group and sectoral le ....The initial project/phase of the SSRCP has been effective in creating recognition of the need for social science expertise. It has also identified need for a point of reference for FRABs and researchers and is relied upon by industry agencies as a point of co-ordination for fisheries social science research. The continuation of this coordination program is endorsed by the emerging understanding of the depth of social factors in fishing activities at the individual, business/group and sectoral levels, and the ways in which these activities interact with the broader community. Increasingly, external economic impacts such as market and competing industry influences; energy costs; distance to market; and potential new taxes, influence the shape of fishing and aquaculture industries, and are emerging as significant issues that remain unaddressed by biological or economic approaches alone.
Through a range of different techniques, social science research can address these issues and complement biological and economic research to support change in practice and community perceptions. The past three years of focus on social science research has encouraged and facilitated leveraging of previous research work, minimising the expense of duplication, and increasing the ability to identify solutions to resource use issues. Continuation of the program will support the efficient use of FRDC funds, and the pursuit of research project outcomes with greater reach than if implemented in isolation of previous research and other FRDC Program activities. Objectives: 1. Continue the social sciences program in the existing framework, subject to ongoing industry and research community feedback 2. Collaborate with the industry to identify emerging issues in wild harvest, aquacutlure, post harvest, recreational and indigenous fishery sectors, that could benefit from early integration of social science research for the identification of potential solutions. 3. Addresss research needs arising from FRDC's existing programs and ensure the quality and relevance of proposed social research projects 4. Co-ordinate and undertake the communication of key social research needs to the research community and SSRCP research outcomes to fishers and managment agencies. 5. Provide FRDC relevant program management for social projects including evaluation, commissioning of projects and milestone reviews. Read moreRead less
Support For Outlook 98 And A Post-economic Analysis Of Wallis Lakes: Impact Of Hepatitis A
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$13,015.00
Summary
This project has arisen because of the Hepatitis A outbreak possibly associated with oysters at Wallis Lakes, 1997. Food safety issues are regarded by sea food industry as a major threat. While the majority of industry can see the benefit of implementing food safety plans others are still to be convinced. The hepatitis outbreak offers a unique opportunity to determine the cost both socially and economically of a major disease outbreak, its impact on consumers, and the economic benefit of effe ....This project has arisen because of the Hepatitis A outbreak possibly associated with oysters at Wallis Lakes, 1997. Food safety issues are regarded by sea food industry as a major threat. While the majority of industry can see the benefit of implementing food safety plans others are still to be convinced. The hepatitis outbreak offers a unique opportunity to determine the cost both socially and economically of a major disease outbreak, its impact on consumers, and the economic benefit of effective food safety plans. The need for the project is:
1. to quantify the economic cost to the industry as a result of reduced market acceptance for oysters products; 2. to determine the extent that the outbreak impacted on other seafood products both from Wallis lakes and other sources; 3. the development of this economic analysis will allow the industry to assess the risk associated with addressing food safety issues; 4. to provide the basis for ABARE’s presentation to Outlook 98, which can be further extended to industry as a case study; and, 5. additionally, the project will act as a vehicle as part of FRDC's sponsorship of the fisheries outlook session of the 98 Outlook conference . Objectives: 1. 1. to quantify the extent of reduction in oyster sales as a result of the hepatitis A outbreak; 2. 2. to quantify the costs to other sectors of the seafood sector as a result of the hepatitis A outbreak, this will primarily focus on the Sydney seafood markets; and, 3. 3. to extend the results both as part of Outlook 98 and as a case study for industry. Read moreRead less
A Human Dimensions Research Subprogram presents the FRDC and stakeholders with the opportunity to maximise investment in and effectiveness of human dimensions RD&E for Australian fisheries and aquaculture. This is achieved by: - Providing the Subprogram with capacity to lever greater overall investment in human dimensions RD&E through co-investment arrangements: Capacity to co-invest or directly commission will enable the Subprogram to ensure that a higher number of human dimensions RD&E needs, ....A Human Dimensions Research Subprogram presents the FRDC and stakeholders with the opportunity to maximise investment in and effectiveness of human dimensions RD&E for Australian fisheries and aquaculture. This is achieved by: - Providing the Subprogram with capacity to lever greater overall investment in human dimensions RD&E through co-investment arrangements: Capacity to co-invest or directly commission will enable the Subprogram to ensure that a higher number of human dimensions RD&E needs, as identified by RACs, IPAs and other Subprograms, are addressed through successful applications. This capacity to collaborate and co-invest with RACs, IPAs and/or other Subprograms not only acts as an incentive for further investment in human dimensions RD&E, it increases the likelihood that high quality and effective research is undertaken which will meet stakeholders' needs. It will achieve this through a number of mechanisms including: providing funding for appropriate expertise to be included in teams of research applicants; and, creating incentives for more integrated RD&E in which human dimensions research can be embedded in more traditional fisheries and aquaculture research projects. - Providing leadership and coordination where required to draw on a range of expertise to tackle complex problems: Capacity to directly commission or call for RD&E will enable the Subprogram to meet needs for targeted, strategic RD&E to address some of the issues which are preventing improved outcomes for fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders. These include issues such as the previously uncoordinated investment in measurement of the economic and social contributions made by different sectors, in response to which the Subprogram will draw on recognised expertise to develop a common position on metrics, methods of measurement and interpretation. This will in turn increase credibility of contribution studies and the return on investment in such studies. Objectives: 1. Identify human dimensions RD&E priorities annually, through review and consultation with key fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders (RACs, IPAs, Subprograms, AFMF) and develop projects to address those priorities 2. Promote coordination and co-investment in human dimensions RD&E across RACs, IPAs and Subprograms 3. Ensure quality and relevance of humans dimensions RD&E through review of applications and project reports 4. Support the FRDC in the management of a portfolio of projects with significant human dimensions research components 5. Facilitate extension and adoption of human dimensions R&D outputs 6. Build and support capability in human dimensions research to meet the needs of fisheries and aquaculture Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Decision Tree And Rapid Assessment Methodology For New Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,000.00
Summary
Declines in the gross value of production (GVP) from commercial fishers in Western Australia and increased interest from the commercial sector in diversifying activities to adapt to seasonal variability in supply and demand has prompted the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) to set the goal of introducing ten new fisheries by 2020. However, poor public perception of commercial fishing, low probability of establishing fisheries of considerable scale, and lack of efficient policy ....Declines in the gross value of production (GVP) from commercial fishers in Western Australia and increased interest from the commercial sector in diversifying activities to adapt to seasonal variability in supply and demand has prompted the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) to set the goal of introducing ten new fisheries by 2020. However, poor public perception of commercial fishing, low probability of establishing fisheries of considerable scale, and lack of efficient policy strategies hinders new development. To enhance the future of the industry, there is a very strong need to readdress current approaches to fisheries development, promote innovation and strengthen community ties. Western Australia has already taken the strategic policy decision to aim for independent third-party assessment (by the MSC) of all its fisheries, simplify its regulatory environment through expected outcomes from the MER project (Minimum Effective Regulation), and review and modernize its Fisheries Management Act. The proposed project adds further impetus to securing a future industry by initiating a research driven co-management approach to fishery development and diversification. By designing a conceptual pathway, compiling relevant biological, environmental and socioeconomic information, and applying these to test-case fisheries, the project will present a robust feasibility study into decision-tree, risk-based alternatives to creating and managing new fisheries. Objectives: 1. Design a decision tree and rapid assessment model to assess new fishery development opportunities 2. Develop novel and cost-effective approaches for sustainability and socioeconomic assessments for potential new fisheries 3. Design alternative management and regulatory approaches to facilitate future growth and productivity on a cost-effective basis Read moreRead less