Biology And Ecology Program: Strategically Targeting Research On Panulirus Cygnus And Its Ecosystem To Suit The Needs Of The WRL Fishing Industry And Stakeholders
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$750,000.00
Summary
A program to direct WRL BBE research over the next four years will increase the strategic focus of research and increase the efficiency of the application and granting process, thus leading to a more rapid implementation of outcomes into the management of the fishery. Quantitative methods used by DPRID to assess WRL stock and predict recruitment are based on the historical research, and have served the industry well, with current stock levels being extremely healthy and the fishery targeting ....A program to direct WRL BBE research over the next four years will increase the strategic focus of research and increase the efficiency of the application and granting process, thus leading to a more rapid implementation of outcomes into the management of the fishery. Quantitative methods used by DPRID to assess WRL stock and predict recruitment are based on the historical research, and have served the industry well, with current stock levels being extremely healthy and the fishery targeting maximum economic yield. Recently, perceived anomalies in observations and predictions have led to concerns by some within industry that the understanding of the BBE of WRL is not as robust as once thought, and that gaps within our knowledge exist. Members of industry, including investors, fishers, processors and government, all have different views on what research is important, what we currently have a good understanding of, and what information is potentially missing from our current suite of knowledge, in addition to what may be important in the future. Some knowledge gaps may be perceived rather than actual with prior research existing, but has not been disseminated wide-enough, while other gaps will be novel and unknown. There is an expansive back catalogue of research on WRL that currently is unknown to many within the WRL industry and re-iterating this research to industry would aid many in increasing their understanding of the current sustainability of the stock and the value for future investment. There also exists a number of knowledge gaps identified by industry and prioritising these is required. Thus, there is a need to review and collate historical research on WRL and disseminate this in a report for the WRL stakeholders. There is also a need to strategically align current and future research with contemporary requirements such as addressing information requirements to maintain MSC certification, ecosystem-based fisheries management, the effects of adjacent marine activities (e.g. seismic) and marine parks, and the constantly changing seascape through climate change and extreme events.
Objectives: 1. Collate all published research on Western Rock Lobster and develop this into a usable format 2. Canvass Western Rock Lobster stakeholders to determine perceived knowledge gaps 3. Develop research projects to reduce knowledge gaps and produce information required for the WRL industry over a four-year horizon 4. Identify future areas of Western Rock Lobster research after the four-years horizon. Read moreRead less
People Development Program: Australian Agricultural Industries Young Innovators And Scientists Awards
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$261,024.34
Summary
This project addresses the need to encourage and support early career researchers and innovation, as identified in the FRDC people development strategy Objectives: 1. To award one scholarship annually
Responsible Fisheries And Aquaculture - Activating A Comprehensive Ecological, Social, And Governance (ESG) Reporting Data System To Uplift Sustainability And Traceability
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Verification of fishing and aquaculture sustainability credentials is essential to increase consumer confidence, market access and community benefit. Sector performance currently centres on monitoring fish stocks & economic benefits. However, markets increasingly require traceable evidence of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) indicators such as provenance, safety, diversity, animal welfare, carbon, biodiversity to inform decisions. To meet this need, this project activates CSIROs Healthch ....Verification of fishing and aquaculture sustainability credentials is essential to increase consumer confidence, market access and community benefit. Sector performance currently centres on monitoring fish stocks & economic benefits. However, markets increasingly require traceable evidence of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) indicators such as provenance, safety, diversity, animal welfare, carbon, biodiversity to inform decisions. To meet this need, this project activates CSIROs Healthcheck ESG Fishing & Aquaculture data system by engaging industry, managers & researchers to identify data gaps and prioritise/collect essential indicators to allow more comprehensive ESG reporting. Data will be compatible and interoperable with existing catalogues/exchanges, for publishing to recognised sustainability frameworks (e.g. Status of Australian Fish Stocks, WhichFish, National Fisheries Plan, UN SDGs). Community surveys will allow adaptive prioritisation of future data/reporting needs. Objectives: 1. Activate an existing ESG data system (Healthcheck) with complementary ESG frameworks (Status of Australian Fish Stocks, Whichfish, Our Pledge, National Fisheries Plan, UN SDGs) and promote data use to increase traceability & sustainability of wild harvest fisheries, aquaculture operations and fish stocks (hereafter, F&A) 2. Increase the number of F&A reporting against ESG frameworks from 20 to 100 stocks (over 90 percent seafood value) 3. Address F&A priority data gaps 4. Increase data access & traceability through use of data exchanges 5. Use feasibility tested data to populate existing/emerging sustainability frameworks (e.g. Status of Australian Fish Stocks, National Fisheries Plan reporting, carbon & nature-based financial disclosure frameworks) and use verified sustainability credentials to demonstrate best practice (e.g. SIAs ‘Our Pledge’, Marine Stewardship Certification) 6. Be interoperable with related frameworks e.g. Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework, ‘Know & Show your Carbon Footprint’ (funded by Agricultural Innovation Australia) 7. Understand community sustainability sentiment to inform future data gap prioritisation and build confidence Read moreRead less
Removal Of Microalgae And Total Nitrogen In Effluent Water From Prawn Farms Using Electrocoagulation (EC) Water Treatment Technology
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$191,642.00
Summary
The reduction of total nitrogenous output remains a significant challenge in the pond culture of prawns. The majority of total nitrogen (TN) output from the Australian prawn industry is organic nitrogen, of which microalgae assimilate a large proportion. In response to the industry’s need to remove or reduce microalgae and TN from large quantities of release water, our team proposes a project that would investigate the use of electro-coagulation (EC) technology to remove microalgae and TN from s ....The reduction of total nitrogenous output remains a significant challenge in the pond culture of prawns. The majority of total nitrogen (TN) output from the Australian prawn industry is organic nitrogen, of which microalgae assimilate a large proportion. In response to the industry’s need to remove or reduce microalgae and TN from large quantities of release water, our team proposes a project that would investigate the use of electro-coagulation (EC) technology to remove microalgae and TN from settlement pond discharge. EC is a highly effective electrochemical approach to wastewater treatment, and has been successfully used to assist in the removal of both organic and inorganic contaminants from wastewater (Moussa et al., 2017). This technology works by applying an electrical current through the water, destabilizing/neutralizing the repulsive forces that keep particles suspended, causing these particles to form larger particles that settle for easier separation from water. This method of coagulation has a significant advantage over chemical coagulation/flocculation: coagulants are formed in-situ by electrolytic oxidation of an anode, and therefore additional chemicals, metal salts or polyelectrolytes do not need to be added to the system. This results in less sludge generation as a bi-product of the filtration process (Moussa et al., 2017). NaturalShrimp has spent many years developing, patenting, and commercializing the EC technology for use specifically for aquaculture that not only helps with coagulation but also removes pathogens and ammonia. The proposed project will be undertaken by Nautilus Collaboration (primary investigators: C van Rijn and C Huynh), Natural Aquatic Solutions (technology supplier – Rep: Tom Untermeyer) and Fresh By Design (installation and maintenance – Lachlan Bassett). The proprietary EC technology developed by Natural Aquatic Solutions has the capacity to treat around 20.5 m3/hr of water. The electrical current passing between the plates removes chlorine from the saltwater as it passes between the plates. The chlorine then combines with the ammonia to form chloramine which is then removed by a carbon filter downstream from the EC. The current is manually adjusted as the ammonia changes to effectively remove the ammonia in one pass through the EC. The ammonia removed by the EC prevents it from further converting to nitrite or nitrate. This controls the level of bacteria, removes ammonia, greatly reduces nitrate output and produces an anti-oxidative water chemistry beneficial to the health of the receiving ecosystem (T Untermeyer, pers. comm.).
Objectives: 1. Assess technical feasibility of electrocoagulation unit for wastewater remediation. To achieve this objective the project will collect comprehensive data on relevant water quality and other parameters (i.e., salinity, pH, organic/inorganic particle load, microalgae composition, microalgae concentration, ammonia, chloramine, TKN, total P, TSS, turbidity, free chlorine, total chlorine, bacterial colony counts, thermotolerant coliforms, vibrio sp.) in prawn farm discharge water before and after EC treatment over the production cycle encompassed by this project. 2. Assess the economic feasibility of electrocoagulation for wastewater treatment. To achieve this the project will collect data to determine costs of the EC system including capital and installation costs, daily volume of water treated, daily power consumption, and ongoing maintenance requirements. 3. Determine any bottlenecks for application for prawn effluent treatment. To inform future consideration of subsequent particle removal treatment options that are not part of this project, particle aggregates (density/size) will be characterised over time post EC treatment, including settlement or flotation velocity, and cohesiveness under mechanical stress. Read moreRead less
Assessing The Potential Of Translocation To Increase Vongole Productivity And Fishery Catches
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$199,808.00
Summary
There are three commercial Vongole fisheries in South Australia: Port River (Section Bank), Coffin Bay, and the West Coast (Streaky, Smoky, and Venus Bays). Total catch is ~70 t per year, with a value of ~$2.5 M annually. The Port River fishery is closed due to very low stock abundance and recovery has not occurred despite a 10-year closure since 2011. Based on biomass surveys in 2020/21 the Coffin Bay fishery, which has fishing areas that have historically contained Vongole that grow quickly an ....There are three commercial Vongole fisheries in South Australia: Port River (Section Bank), Coffin Bay, and the West Coast (Streaky, Smoky, and Venus Bays). Total catch is ~70 t per year, with a value of ~$2.5 M annually. The Port River fishery is closed due to very low stock abundance and recovery has not occurred despite a 10-year closure since 2011. Based on biomass surveys in 2020/21 the Coffin Bay fishery, which has fishing areas that have historically contained Vongole that grow quickly and can be readily harvested, had a 20% quota reduction in 2021/22 in response to the low abundance of Vongole above the minimum legal length. Although, in 2021/22, this fishery has since recovered and is classified as sustainable.
In the Coffin Bay and West Coast fisheries, three Katelysia species are harvested: greys, yellows, and whites. In both fisheries, commercial fishers have reported areas with Vongole density so high that it might be supressing growth and productivity due to competition for space and resources. Vongole in these high-density areas seldom reach the legal minimum length of 30/35 mm and are rarely fished. The commercial Vongole fishery has therefore highlighted the need to understand factors influencing growth rates and to test whether translocation of sub-legal Vongole from these high-density areas can be used to increase Vongole growth and productivity within these areas, and improve less productive fishing grounds elsewhere, thereby raising overall fishery profitability.
Our study aims to 1) assess the viability of translocating sub-legal Vongole in Coffin Bay from areas with high densities of Vongole to areas with low/no densities of Vongole using two release and two tagging methods, and comparing predation, growth, and survival of relocated/translocated animals to provide fishers with the knowledge and tools underpinning translocations; 2) build on existing cost-benefit analysis knowledge and tools (i.e. FRDC 2005-217, FRDC 2008-076, FRDC 2016-213, FRDC 2020-116) to quantify the economic/productivity outcomes of Vongole translocation; and 3) build fisheries research capacity and capability through a 'supplemental’ student project. The aims of the ‘supplemental’ student component (PhD, Flinders University) are to assess the biological aspects of Vongole recruitment (e.g. size of maturity, egg production, viability of larvae) and evaluate environmental triggers that influence Vongole recruitment, metamorphosis of eggs to larval phase, and larval substrate settlement.
This project directly addresses the Vongole industry’s high-priority research needs and will showcase the potential for translocation to increase fishing yield, value, and profitability. The ‘supplemental’ student project will evaluate Vongole recruitment and will occur in parallel with, but independent from, the core project.
Objectives: 1. Assess the viability of translocating sub-legal Vongole in Coffin Bay from areas with high densities of Vongole to areas with low/no densities of Vongole using two release and two tagging methods, and comparing predation, growth, and survival of relocated/translocated animals to provide fishers with the knowledge and tools underpinning translocations 2. Build on existing cost-benefit analysis knowledge and tools (i.e. FRDC 2005-217, FRDC 2008-076, FRDC 2016-213, FRDC 2020-116) to quantify the economic/productivity outcomes of Vongole translocation 3. Build fisheries research capacity and capability through a 'supplemental’ student project Read moreRead less
A systemic environmental impact metric for companies and investors. Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG) metrics are marketed as measures of environmental performance, but they often track exposure to environmental risk rather than generation of environmental impacts. This project aims to develop and test a science-based, systemic environmental impact score for corporate activities. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of cross-scale interactions in the Earth system and tools to assess a bus ....A systemic environmental impact metric for companies and investors. Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG) metrics are marketed as measures of environmental performance, but they often track exposure to environmental risk rather than generation of environmental impacts. This project aims to develop and test a science-based, systemic environmental impact score for corporate activities. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of cross-scale interactions in the Earth system and tools to assess a business or investment’s systemic environmental impacts from activities including water extraction, deforestation and carbon emissions. These outcomes should provide benefits including improved business decision-making on impact mitigation, environmental quality, productivity and corporate environmental reputation.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Economics And Markets Of The Western Rock Lobster Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$749,000.00
Summary
The Program is required to enable the economics research required over the next 3-4 years by retaining the WRL Economist and engaging a WRL Data Analyst to :
1. undertake research and demonstrate the effects of COVID-19 and international trade disruptions on the industry’s financial wellbeing and economic contribution, as a narrative incorporating the pre-, current and post-disruption era;
2. investigate and implement enhancements to the WRL MEY model based on verified stakehol ....The Program is required to enable the economics research required over the next 3-4 years by retaining the WRL Economist and engaging a WRL Data Analyst to :
1. undertake research and demonstrate the effects of COVID-19 and international trade disruptions on the industry’s financial wellbeing and economic contribution, as a narrative incorporating the pre-, current and post-disruption era;
2. investigate and implement enhancements to the WRL MEY model based on verified stakeholder feedback; • MEY modelling is based on (among other factors) expected longer-term beach prices for lobster achieved by fishers. Beach prices are themselves underpinned by prices achieved in domestic and export markets for live, frozen and other processed forms of western rock lobster, and supply chain costs — all of which have changed markedly over the past couple of years and have influenced the longer-term outlook considerably. o Domestic markets have absorbed higher volumes of Australian product over the past two years than in the previous ten, encouraging a pivot by processors to include more cooked, frozen and other processed product in the product portfolio. o Frozen and chilled product has also been demonstrated to have general acceptance in overseas markets, albeit at lower prices than achieved by similar live product. o Air and sea freight costs and reliability have been adversely compromised in the face of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, with the medium-term outlook for freight costs expected to be a multiple of pre-COVID rates – affecting the relative attractiveness of domestic versus export markets. o Processors and marketers have explored alternative export markets and paths to market in the wake of political uncertainty and trade disruptions. There is a need to understand the implications of this market shift on the net beach prices achievable by fishers, which will be achieved through a better understanding of the changes in market access and supply chain costs (transport, live holding, handling, additional processing, freight forwarding by air and by sea). o Taken together, this suite of change constitutes a significant, and potentially longer-term, challenge to the western rock lobster industry that has high potential to bring about changes in industry structure.
3. research and implement mechanisms by which individual fishers / business owners can benchmark their businesses against relevant industry economic standards.
• Benchmarking aims to improve the internal performance of fishers' private business operations by providing each business with an opportunity to compare itself to the industry's performance • Benchmarking is not limited to economic metrics, including physical metrics such as fuel use that enable a more granular understanding of the carbon footprint of the fishing fleet. • The aim is to generate an understanding of the range of cost structures in the fishing fleet, to better inform the cost elements of MEY modelling for economic sustainability of the fishery.
4. investigate and implement enhancements to the WRL Global Trade Report.
• The pandemic and its ongoing turmoil, combined with trade disruptions to Australia’s live exports, has brought about a change in global lobster trade flows into the highest volume, highest value market – at Australia’s expense. o The resultant situation includes a loss of market share and value to alternative suppliers of live spiny lobster, other lobster species, and other high value crustaceans. o Consumer preferences have shown signs of changing in response to COVID and associated health policies, regulations and restrictions. During the course of the pandemic, consumption of rock lobster pivoted to at-home consumption, with some preference-shifting to frozen product, particularly in countries with aggressive health policies that enacted operating restrictions on restaurants and larger gatherings.
5. research and implement mechanisms by which WRL's Global Trade Report, MEY Model and Markets Dashboard would work together with DPIRD's Harvest Strategy to underpin TACC setting into the future, adding considerable benefit to government as the resource manager by supplying timely, independent, industry-oriented information to the consideration set
Objectives: 1. Enable the Global Trade Report the MEY Model and the Markets Dashboard to work together with the Harvest Strategy to underpin TACC setting and ensure the continued sustainability of the stock. 2. Demonstrate the effects of the SARSCoV2 pandemic and trade disruptions on the industry’s resilience, economic contribution and adaptation to changing market forces. 3. Develop benchmarks for use by fishers’ businesses against industry economic standards to enhance industry reslience and adaptation to trade disruptions. 4. Ensure usability of economics data by driving further integration of data sets, models and tools, and building into the digitization program. Read moreRead less
Status Of Australian Fish Stocks (SAFS) Sixth Edition
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,236,740.00
Summary
The proposal is for the production of the sixth edition of the SAFS reports. SAFS is Australia's only coordinated, national-scale stock-status reporting framework, and as such is a critical driver of jurisdictional collaboration and strategic processes. The current application is to produce the SAFS reports in 2023 and address strategic issues outlined above. In order to ensure the continuation of SAFS beyond 2023, it is essential for jurisdictions to develop ownership of the reports and to embe ....The proposal is for the production of the sixth edition of the SAFS reports. SAFS is Australia's only coordinated, national-scale stock-status reporting framework, and as such is a critical driver of jurisdictional collaboration and strategic processes. The current application is to produce the SAFS reports in 2023 and address strategic issues outlined above. In order to ensure the continuation of SAFS beyond 2023, it is essential for jurisdictions to develop ownership of the reports and to embed SAFS processes in core business, and for efficiencies in production and report management to continue to progress. A parallel project to develop jurisdictional reporting services is also underway to assist jurisdictions develop their jurisdictional chapters. As documented in the independent audit of SAFS 2016 (FRDC project 2016-143), the process of compiling SAFS on a co-operative basis between FRDC, Australian government agencies and all fisheries jurisdictions has led to greater joint collaboration, as well as transfers of methodologies and processes, to deliver higher quality and more credible stock status reporting which can be accessed nationally and internationally, as well as assisting in policy decisions regarding changes to particular fisheries management arrangements and in research priorities. Primary drivers for National reporting of the SAFS include: (i) the State of the Environment Report 2011, i.e., ‘lack of a nationally integrated approach inhibits effective marine management’; (ii) a recommendation of the House of Representatives Inquiry into the Role of Science for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Netting the Benefits Report 2012), i.e., ‘producing national status report regularly’; (iii) the Australian Fisheries Management Forum national statement of intent, i.e. a key outcome of ‘Goal 1’ is the National Status of Australian Fish Stocks Report; (iv) the National Fishing and Aquaculture Strategy 2015–20, i.e., ‘Goal 1’ of this strategy will be partially measured by an increased number of fisheries assessed as environmentally sustainable in the Status of Australian Fish Stocks Reports (this includes reducing the number of stocks assessed as uncertain); (v) the FRDC RD&E Plan 2020–25, enabling strategy V (tracking and reporting on sustainability of fish stocks and performance of fisheries). Objectives: 1. To produce a sixth edition of the SAFS reports in 2023. 2. Reduce the number (percentage) of stocks classified as "Undefined" where possible, using data-poor or other acceptable methods. 3. To increase the capacity of FRDC and all participating jurisdictions to recognise equivalence between SAFS and other jurisdictional stock-status reporting schemes and streamline reporting accordingly. 4. To expand the SAFS stock-classification framework to include enhanced stocks. 5. Review methods and processes to move the criteria for sustainable from the limit reference point to the target reference point Read moreRead less
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