A Review Of Projects Concerned With Improved Exploitation Of Underutilised Species
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$36,729.16
Summary
The potential use of underutilised species has been identified as a means of increasing the productivity and profitability of some fishing sectors, as such, jurisdictions continue to prioritise research that explores the viability of underutilised species as seafood and/or receives applications of this nature.
While the prospect of using fish that are readily available is attractive, there are likely to be numerous reasons why the fish are not currently exploited commercially. These re ....The potential use of underutilised species has been identified as a means of increasing the productivity and profitability of some fishing sectors, as such, jurisdictions continue to prioritise research that explores the viability of underutilised species as seafood and/or receives applications of this nature.
While the prospect of using fish that are readily available is attractive, there are likely to be numerous reasons why the fish are not currently exploited commercially. These reasons may be related to fishing processes, regulation, market perceptions, quality and supply chain arrangements.
Before investing additional funds in projects of this nature, FRDC requires an evaluation of past projects to determine the factors behind their success or failure. This analysis will then provide the basis for a decision matrix that can be used by project applicants and FRDC staff to design future projects.
It is not clear why there is a low market demand for seafood products derived form underutilized species. It is likely that provision of low cost, attractive seafood would create significant consumer interest, as has happened with basa. But it is unknown why the supply chain has not responded to this opportunity. More information about seafood demand is required from the seafood trading companies.
If a significant change to the emphasis of these projects is proposed by FRDC as a result of this study, a workshop will be needed to inform and consult with key stakeholders about the proposed changes.
Objectives: 1. Provision of a collated summary of all underutilized species projects supported by FRDC, and an analysis of lessons learned from each project. 2. Provision of a check list of success criteria to be used as guidance for future applicants in preparing projects concerned with underutilized species and by FRDC in evaluating them. 3. Identification of commercial factors and fisheries managememt policy concepts that might influence future supply and demand of underutilized species in Australia. Read moreRead less
Bringing The Iconic Australian Herring (Arripis Georgianus) To The Food Service And Retail Market – Phase One
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$70,000.00
Summary
This Australian Herring FRDC project is a strategic initiative to promote the recently recovered commercial Herring fishery. Blueshift and the commercial sector – represented by Fins Seafood and Albany Seafoods, are strong supporters of benefiting the commercial herring industry through increased demand and production. Fins Seafood focus on locally sourced seafood and have the experience and are passionate in this area, solidifying their undeniable importance to be a part of this project. This Australian Herring FRDC project is a strategic initiative to promote the recently recovered commercial Herring fishery. Blueshift and the commercial sector – represented by Fins Seafood and Albany Seafoods, are strong supporters of benefiting the commercial herring industry through increased demand and production. Fins Seafood focus on locally sourced seafood and have the experience and are passionate in this area, solidifying their undeniable importance to be a part of this project.
The project is needed to reaffirm the presence Australian Herring within the seafood market as commercial landings increase over the coming decade. If Australian Herring is successfully marketed, there is a potential for success within the local domestic market and potentially for export, if export approval is granted by the Australian Government. Furthermore, it is designed to address these challenges by providing investment for research, development, and extension initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability and profitability of the Australian Herring fishery. If successful, this proposal aims to obtain an accurate sense of the market appetite and consumer demand, as well as the potential to value-add by using local seafood processors.
Effective marketing through potential branding, introduction of new products and developing the presence of Australian Herring locally will be beneficial to industry and consumers. Furthermore, successful utilisation of all associated fish waste will bring more value and benefit to industry.
Objectives: 1. Identification of the current market demand and future demand forecasts for Australian Herring. 2. Transition Australian Herring from bait to the higher-value human consumption market. 3. Development of three value-add Australian Herring products. 4. Identification of methods of full utilisation of Australian Herring waste products. 5. Development of effective market strategies to introduce value-add Australian Herring products to the retail market. Read moreRead less
Bringing The Iconic Australian Herring (Arripis Georgianus) To The Food Service And Retail Market – Phase Two
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$169,000.00
Summary
The WA commercial herring fishery recently reopened following improvements in the stocks sustainability assessments. The product has traditionally been predominantly used for bait. This project, in partnership with herring producers, processors and retailers, will commence with a historical and current status review and consultation to better understand barriers and opportunities for commercial success of herring products for human consumption. Review of the commercial success or otherwise of ....The WA commercial herring fishery recently reopened following improvements in the stocks sustainability assessments. The product has traditionally been predominantly used for bait. This project, in partnership with herring producers, processors and retailers, will commence with a historical and current status review and consultation to better understand barriers and opportunities for commercial success of herring products for human consumption. Review of the commercial success or otherwise of similar underutilised species (such as Australian Salmon) will also be included. From this review, it is intended to identify, develop and implement three new retail and/or food service opportunities for herring for human consumption. Such opportunities, informed by the review, may be new product based (incorporating alternate processing strategies and/or 100% utilisation principles) or focussed on new marketing strategies. Evaluation for future commercial success will be economic, logistical and technical and will use evaluation metrics developed in previous projects. An enhanced use of herring for human consumption may not only increase profitability but may also lead to greater stock access for fishers. A framework for improving commercial success of such underutilised species research projects(reported in FRDC 2017/185) may be further extended by the study. Objectives: 1. Identify options to value add and (where possible) fully utilise the Australia Herring through the human consumption market 2. Investigate, implement and evaluate up to three human consumption market opportunities for Australian Herring-based products 3. Document and extend the developed supply chain framework methodology to get proposed new products to the market and explain how it can be replicable for other similar underutilised / lesser-known species Read moreRead less
ESD Risk Assessment For Under-utilised Species To Facilitate Structural Reform Of South Australia's Commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$109,546.00
Summary
South Australia’s Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) is faced with numerous issues that make its management difficult and challenging, causing considerable uncertainty for commercial fishers about the future of their industry. One issue relates to the numerous poor stock status classifications that have recently been assigned to stocks of the three primary species of King George Whiting, Snapper and Southern Garfish. These reflect long-term targeting that has finally impacted on the levels of stoc ....South Australia’s Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) is faced with numerous issues that make its management difficult and challenging, causing considerable uncertainty for commercial fishers about the future of their industry. One issue relates to the numerous poor stock status classifications that have recently been assigned to stocks of the three primary species of King George Whiting, Snapper and Southern Garfish. These reflect long-term targeting that has finally impacted on the levels of stock biomass. It is now generally recognised that the MSF must undergo significant structural reform to redress this and other issues.
The Marine Scalefish Strategic Review Committee has proposed a broad plan for overall structural reform by 2022. Such reform would provide opportunity to diversify the fishery in terms of target species, in order to: re-direct fishing effort away from the compromised stocks of the primary species to facilitate their recoveries; and to increase overall MSF productivity and profitability. There is a need to identify: legitimate MSF species that are currently under-utilised; as well as species that are not yet recognised as legitimate but nevertheless may be potential commercial fishery species. Any consideration of increasing fishery production for such species must conform to the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). There is a need to formally consider the potential barriers to enhancing production of these species from the perspectives of the environment, economics and governance. This will be addressed using an established risk assessment framework that is based on the National ESD Reporting Framework.
Objectives: 1. To assess the potential to diversify South Australia’s Marine Scalefish Fishery by increasing production of currently under-utilised species, whilst conforming to the principles of ecologically sustainable development 2. To provide advice about the potential to increase fishery catch for individual species in the commercial MSF fishery, and to provide guidance in each case with respect to the need for further research, economic development and regulatory reform Read moreRead less