Selectivity Of Cod Ends Used In South Eastern Trawl Fishery With Particular Reference To Gemfish
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Investigate escapement from cod-ends of trawl nets in the upper slope fishery to determine a 50% selection point for gemfish of about 50cm LCF. 2. Estimate impact this cod-end size might have on other spp caught incidentally during/outside main spawning migration
Demonstration Of The Viability Of A Fishery For Southern Bluefin Tuna And Big Eye Tuna For The Fresh Sashimi Market
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Investigate accessibility to Aust fishermen of southern bluefin & big eye tuna off coast of NSW & Tas during May - Aug incl. 2. Compare effectiveness of Japanese equipment in comparison to Aust monofilament equipment in use
Measurement Of Fisheries Compliance Outcomes: A Preliminary National Study
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$74,450.00
Summary
Compliance, research and policy are the cornerstones of the tripartite approach to fisheries management and sustainability but there is a need for regulators to demonstrate that compliance programmes are delivering efficient and effective outcomes. Past experience with government audit and third party accreditation of compliance service delivery indicates that there is a lack of a credible, reviewable framework for measuring fisheries compliance outcomes that can readily demonstrate value for m ....Compliance, research and policy are the cornerstones of the tripartite approach to fisheries management and sustainability but there is a need for regulators to demonstrate that compliance programmes are delivering efficient and effective outcomes. Past experience with government audit and third party accreditation of compliance service delivery indicates that there is a lack of a credible, reviewable framework for measuring fisheries compliance outcomes that can readily demonstrate value for money and an assessment of quality.
Delivering effective fisheries compliance is expensive and while cost minimisation is generally admirable, reduction of compliance resources beyond a certain point will certainly lead to poor outcomes for sustainability and regulator reputation (Sutinen and Kuperan 1990). An inability to pinpoint critical minimum resourcing levels to maintain compliance outcomes is highly likely to result in reduction of resource levels below that minimum level.
Stakeholders in fisheries resources (both extractive and non-extractive) need fisheries compliance outcome measures for two reasons: to be assured that compliance resources are being optimally used to deliver efficient and effective compliance programmes, and to know that the management framework is effective and trigger changes if necessary. Subjective perceptions of adequacy are insufficient.
Suitable measures of compliance outcomes must be adaptable to different fisheries and sectors, practical for jurisdictions to implement, support management objectives and recognise that the governance framework itself may not be appropriate for optimal compliance. Fisheries management is often dynamic, biologically and politically, so any outcome indicators must be able to accommodate that dynamism.
This project addresses the FRDC Strategic Priority Area objective of "Develop more cost-effective, efficient regulatory processes and co-management arrangements" from Theme 5 of the Industry Program. It is relevant to the national research and development priority of an environmentally sustainable Australia and the rural research priority of natural resource management. Objectives: 1. A desktop study of methodologies and/or assessment and reporting frameworks, both nationally and internationally, that assess the effectiveness of compliance programmes and measure compliance outcomes. 2. A workshop to review the findings of the desktop study and seek further expert input on measuring fisheries compliance effectiveness. 3. Write up of results of the desktop study and workshop with a view to documenting current best-practice, determining the way forward and possible future work. Read moreRead less
Most Australian commercial fishers are faced with a very challenging period ahead. With the prospect of further price rises in petroleum-based fuel, combined with a domestic oil deficit predicted to emerge past 2015, and a global need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Australian fishing industry is seeking ways to improve the energy efficiency of its operations and to find viable alternative energy sources.
Whilst the development and trial of alternative energy technologies is wel ....Most Australian commercial fishers are faced with a very challenging period ahead. With the prospect of further price rises in petroleum-based fuel, combined with a domestic oil deficit predicted to emerge past 2015, and a global need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Australian fishing industry is seeking ways to improve the energy efficiency of its operations and to find viable alternative energy sources.
Whilst the development and trial of alternative energy technologies is well advanced in the road transport sector, the maritime sector has received less attention, particularly in Australia.
There is a need to bring together alternative energy providers, fishing vessel and gear designers, fishing operators, industry representatives, researchers and funding providers to discuss the potential for alternative energy technologies and energy-efficient design for commercial fishing operations in Australia. Following this it is highly desirable to scope methods of reducing energy usage through, for example, improved gear efficiencies and vessel design including propulsion systems, and to develop an R&D agenda for advancing alternative energy use and energy efficiency in Australia’s fishing fleet.
A beneficial spin-off of the work would be to develop a guide that can inform the industry on existing and new developments in this area, and where the greatest potential for fuel efficiencies lies. Objectives: 1. Examine the degree to which rising fuel costs have impacted on different fisheries 2. Examine new and existing technologies developed both within and outside of Australia in the field of increased fishing efficiency through reduced energy usage and innovation 3. Examine opportunities for applying innovative solutions and developments which are most likely to produce the best return for the Australian fishing industry 4. Develop a publication that scopes potential innovations, whether they be existing or have the potential for development, that reduce energy usage 5. Provide advice on potential R&D that could assist industry in reducing energy usage. 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
The WA Trap And Line Fishery On The North West Shelf
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Monitoring of the WA trap and line fishery on the NW Shelf to provide information base for future management of the fishery; 2. provide information to assess rehabilitation of multi-species stocks fished until recently.
Benchmarking Australia's Small Pelagic Fisheries Science Against World's Best Practice
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,000.00
Summary
This project is needed to address concerns expressed by stakeholder groups and the broader Australian community during the recent "super-trawler debate" that the current assessment and management framework for the SPF may have technical deficiencies and not be consistent with world's best practice.
This project is also needed because these concerns have the potential to undermine stakeholder and community confidence in other Australian fisheries for small pelagic fishes, such as the SA ....This project is needed to address concerns expressed by stakeholder groups and the broader Australian community during the recent "super-trawler debate" that the current assessment and management framework for the SPF may have technical deficiencies and not be consistent with world's best practice.
This project is also needed because these concerns have the potential to undermine stakeholder and community confidence in other Australian fisheries for small pelagic fishes, such as the SASF.
A technical workshop is needed because it will provide an efficient and transparent process by which to benchmark the research and management frameworks of Australia's fisheries for small pelagic species against world's best practice and to identify opportunities for improving current approaches.
A stakeholder forum is needed to provide key stakeholders and the broader community with the opportunity and information required to objectively assess how Australia's fisheries for small pelagic species compare to other fisheries worldwide. This forum is a critical first step towards re-establishing stakeholder and public confidence in the assessment and management framework for the SPF. It is also needed to help maintain a social license to operate for other Australian fisheries for small pelagic species, such as the SASF.
Issues that have been identified as matters of particular stakeholder and public concern and that need to be addressed in both the technical workshop and stakeholder forum include: 1) options for increasing the reliability of estimates of spawning biomass obtained using the Daily Egg Production Method (DEPM); 2) opportunities to further reduce operational interactions with threatened, endangered and protected species; 3) potential for improving current approaches to assessment and mitigation of potential trophic effects on other components of the ecosystem; 4) innovative methods for reducing possible impacts of localised depletion on predatory species and other (especially recreational) fisheries that target small pelagic fishes.
Objectives: 1. Benchmark the research and management frameworks for Australia's fisheries for small pelagic fishes against world's best practice and identify opportunities for improvement 2. Provide the Australian community with the opportunity and information required to objectively assess how Australia's fisheries for small pelagic species compare to other fisheries worldwide Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Maintaining Postharvest Quality Of Key Species From The Great Australian Bight Trawl Sector
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$74,159.95
Summary
The Great Australian Bight Industry Association acknowledges that the returns from the sustainable and controlled volume of catch available need to be maximised for increased profitability. It has been agreed that improving product quality through close examination of, and improvements to, the cool chain is a very high priority step in this process. The resolution of such quality issues, relating to trip length, catch day and associated cold chain treatment, is also seen as a critical prerequi ....The Great Australian Bight Industry Association acknowledges that the returns from the sustainable and controlled volume of catch available need to be maximised for increased profitability. It has been agreed that improving product quality through close examination of, and improvements to, the cool chain is a very high priority step in this process. The resolution of such quality issues, relating to trip length, catch day and associated cold chain treatment, is also seen as a critical prerequisite to the introduction of traceability within the GABTS. Traceability is an important part of the GABIA-AFMA Co-management Arrangements and is acknowledged by GABIA as a key element in achieving economic stability.
The project also addresses FRDC’s Program 2 (Industry) Rural R&D and Industry Priorities in contributing to an improvement in GABTS profitability, with real potential for flow-on effects to the other fisheries within the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF). A successful outcome would necessitate either the application of new or better use of existing technologies, also a stated FRDC Rural R&D Priority. Furthermore, the project contributes to Theme 7 within the Industry Program (Production, Growth and Profitability), the outputs assisting fishers to increase productivity through innovation and improvements in operational efficiency.
The outcomes of this project will be coupled with the traceability components of the GABIA/ AFMA co-management trials. GABIA have emphasised the need to commence this work as soon as possible; waiting for the general FRDC round would put the project off for another 18months, further delaying necessary improvements to cool chain processes. Objectives: 1. Determine where fish quality is compromised in the onboard postharvest cold chain for selected fish species within the Great Australian Bight Trawl Fishery. 2. Recommend cost effective solutions to optimise cool chain efficiency where deficiencies are identified 3. Provide data to underpin training and education of seafood producers, transporters and processors in all the benefits of effective cool-chain systems Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Novel Treatments Without Sulphites For The Prevention Of Blueing In Abalone During Canning
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$17,709.60
Summary
Tissue sulphite residue is a significant issue due consumer sensitivity. Although estimates are highly variable; commonly quoted figures suggest that about 1% of people are sulphite-sensitive, and of that group, 5% have asthma (USFDA, 1988). One to four percent of all asthmatics may be sulphite sensitive, with this rising to 5-10% among steroid-dependent asthmatics (SPDNA, 2004). There are few data on how much sulphite is required to produce a response in a sensitive individual; however S ....Tissue sulphite residue is a significant issue due consumer sensitivity. Although estimates are highly variable; commonly quoted figures suggest that about 1% of people are sulphite-sensitive, and of that group, 5% have asthma (USFDA, 1988). One to four percent of all asthmatics may be sulphite sensitive, with this rising to 5-10% among steroid-dependent asthmatics (SPDNA, 2004). There are few data on how much sulphite is required to produce a response in a sensitive individual; however Simon (1998) and Lester (1995) reported that most would react to ingested metabisulphite in quantities ranging from 20-50mg.
The sensitivity issue has lead some countries to impose limits on sulphite residues in abalone flesh (eg Japan 30ppm, Canada 100ppm, pers comm. A. Ziolkowski, SECC) while others such as China, a major market for Australian abalone, have no standards for sulphite residues so have adopted a zero tolerance policy (pers comm L. Feazey, AQIS). As much of Australia’s abalone exports to China go via the vulnerable grey channel there has been interest in eliminating blueing by non-sulphite means acceptable to Chinese authorities. This would then allow entry of the product via legal channels.
The development of a novel non-sulphite anti-blueing agent has the capacity to significantly influence abalone processing, and improve market access, increasing profitability. This supports FRDC’s RD&E Plan Industry Program NRP ”Frontier Technologies for building and transforming Australian industries” and the associated Rural R&D priority “Improve productivity and profitability of existing industries… .” Theme 7 of the Industry Program is also highly relevant: “improve productivity through operational efficiencies, new technologies…”, as is the associated Performance Indicator: “Development of knowledge, processes and technologies to improve productivity and profitability of the commercial sectors”.
Objectives: 1. To engineer cost-effective food-permitted non-sulphite additives to be used in place of sulphiting agents to prevent blueing of abalone during canning and processing Read moreRead less
Research On Technology Of Separating Meat From Rock Lobster And Fish
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Utilise the catch of purse seines and mid-water trawls efficiently, 2. to replace a proportion of the large quantity of imported fish and overcome present wastage