Rock Lobster Post Harvest Subprogram: Quantification Of Shell Hardness In Southern Rock Lobster
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$86,403.70
Summary
A new, simple and quick solution to the ambiguity of current measures of shell wear is to quantify shell hardness with a durometer, which is a small, hand-held device originally designed to measure the flexibility of plastic sheeting (Hicks and Johnson, 1999). This system of standardisation has recently been introduced in Alaskan crab fisheries. Before these devices can be used for Australian rock lobster stock-assessment, a series of short experiments are needed to calibrate hardness reading ....A new, simple and quick solution to the ambiguity of current measures of shell wear is to quantify shell hardness with a durometer, which is a small, hand-held device originally designed to measure the flexibility of plastic sheeting (Hicks and Johnson, 1999). This system of standardisation has recently been introduced in Alaskan crab fisheries. Before these devices can be used for Australian rock lobster stock-assessment, a series of short experiments are needed to calibrate hardness reading to the moult cycle. These experiments will allow future research sampling to record more useful measures of moult stage and thus provide more effective stock assessment.
This calibration will have immediate application in Tasmanian research for assessing the effect of September and November harvests on mortality of discarded lobsters. Processors in both South Australia and Tasmania anticipate that this project will provide a valuable tool for industry to use in setting acceptable levels of shell hardness for the landing of export-grade lobsters. That is, fishers will be able to establish a quantitative shell hardness grade that a processor will accept prior to landing the catch. This eliminates the current problem of the landing of lobsters that are ambiguously classed as “hard” by a fisher but “soft” by a processor – with resultant negative impacts on economic yield and markets.
Hicks, D. and Johnson, B.A., 1999. A device to measure shell hardness of Dungeness crabs and trial application in the Kodiak Island, Alaska, commercial fishery. Nor. Amer. J. Fish. Man. 19: 581-590.
Objectives: 1. To calibrate the rate of change in shell hardness before and after the moult of southern rock lobsters relative to lobster size, sex, region and temperature. 2. To identify the region of the exoskeleton that is most suited for measuring hardness. 3. To develop a prototype gauge for industry use that can be used to measure shell hardness of lobster with precision in industry conditions. Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. To identify needs for post harvest technology on a national basis, in collaboration with State and Territory based Fisheries Research Advisory Bodies, and other relevant sources 2. To facilitate post harvest research and development with potential for high return 3. To ensure the commercialisation and technology transfer of post harvest research results
Tactical Research Fund: Developing Postharvest Capability At The Lakes Entrance Fishermans Coop
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$83,500.00
Summary
Although some 4,000 tonnes per annum of mixed seafood – predominately scale fish – is landed by the fleet LEFCOL provides services to, the volume of this catch which is directly purchased, converted and marketed by LEFCOl is less than 150tonnes pa.
The majority of the catch is traded via traditional trading channels, being Melbourne and Sydney based commission agents and buyers. In what could be described as a ‘supply push’ channel strategy,the fish is caught and sent to market with no ....Although some 4,000 tonnes per annum of mixed seafood – predominately scale fish – is landed by the fleet LEFCOL provides services to, the volume of this catch which is directly purchased, converted and marketed by LEFCOl is less than 150tonnes pa.
The majority of the catch is traded via traditional trading channels, being Melbourne and Sydney based commission agents and buyers. In what could be described as a ‘supply push’ channel strategy,the fish is caught and sent to market with no definitive knowledge of what the returns will be. This opportunistic, short term and disjointed approach has limited the opportunity for a structured yield improvement for the catchers and stifled growth for LEFCOL and the region.
There is a real possibility to build a vibrant post-harvest value adding operation at LEFCOL, particularly given its strategic location, its membership, the size, likely/potential quality and consistency of the harvest and the existing facility.
The development needed at LEFCOL will only be achieved by improving the capacity and capability of the people who deliver the services.
Having a structured approach to building the capacity of the workforce will therefore positively impact and improve the services delivered The extra facilities and professional workforce created will offer many openings – some may not be seafood related as by creating a regional processing hub to this order may well support other ideas and interests.
From a Workforce development structure there would need to be an increase in staffing. Currently, there is no suitably skilled seafood processing resources available in Lakes Entrance to develop a pilot programme.
The intention is that this proposed activity would be a proof of concept to 'unlock' Victorian Government funds to take this pilot to a commercialisation phase. Objectives: 1. Assessment of the commercial and culinary capabilities of various seafood species including by-product 2. Development of suitable product specifications and grades per the above assessment and market opportunity knowledge 3. Development of suitable post harvest handling protocols and packaging requirements to meet the designed specifications 4. Development of cost/price metrics by product, form, pack and market 5. Development of suitable channels to market by product type 6. Development of suitable logistics solutions per market channel and product type 7. Development of quality assurance and process control protocols by product Read moreRead less
SCRC: Seafood Post Harvest Research Innovation Hub
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
The Seafood CRC has supported the development of seafood post harvest research capacity in SARDI, CESSH, QDAFF, UTas, Uni SA and USC. This capacity will be a key part of the Program 2 CRC legacy. At the end of 2012 PM2 organsied for a meeting of researchers from CESSH, SARDI and QDAFF to explore opportunities for collaboration in developing legacy projects. At that meeting it was clear that there was not enough interaction between the three centers and that they were largely unaware of each o ....The Seafood CRC has supported the development of seafood post harvest research capacity in SARDI, CESSH, QDAFF, UTas, Uni SA and USC. This capacity will be a key part of the Program 2 CRC legacy. At the end of 2012 PM2 organsied for a meeting of researchers from CESSH, SARDI and QDAFF to explore opportunities for collaboration in developing legacy projects. At that meeting it was clear that there was not enough interaction between the three centers and that they were largely unaware of each others capabilities, industry linkages and facility capacity. It was also obvious that there were opportunities for learning from each other that were not being capitalised upon. It was agreed to hold meetings every 2 months at each of the organisations and to invite other organisations to participate (UTas, USC, Uni SA). All participants would fund their own attendance costs and where possible would send 2 people.
A second meeting was held in February 2013 at QDAFF. At that meeting PM 3 attended together with Fuller Communications and work has commenced on creating a capabilities document. There was also some discussion about how best to communicate and extend research results to industry end users. The role of the CRC's SeaFOOD magazine was brought up in that context and it was agreed that the Hub would provide input to the planning of each issue and actively engage in identifying and preparing stories for it. Participants at that meeting included several researchers who were not at the first meeting. Again the participants found the meeting valuable and a third meeting is sheduled for 27/3/2013 at SARDI.
There is an opportunity to grow and expand this hub to include more researchers. This will provide opportunities for a) better collaboration between researchers b) improved research responses to industry needs c) further development of the researcher capabilities d) coordinating communication and extension of results.
There is also potential for engaging with non CRC researchers and for facilitating international collaboration and engagement. As the next bid is primarily focused on post harvest research there is a need to provide support to this group of researchers and expand the membership of the hub.Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. The development of a nationally focused vocational education and training network, providing technology transfer to all sectors of the Australian fishing industry (fishing, aquaculture, post harvest, secondary education) 2. The establishment of joint national curriculum accrediatation pathways, involving the FITC network and other peak industry bodies, facilitating the provision of nationally recognised fishing industry training to each state and territory of Australia. ....Objectives: 1. The development of a nationally focused vocational education and training network, providing technology transfer to all sectors of the Australian fishing industry (fishing, aquaculture, post harvest, secondary education) 2. The establishment of joint national curriculum accrediatation pathways, involving the FITC network and other peak industry bodies, facilitating the provision of nationally recognised fishing industry training to each state and territory of Australia. These pathways must enable the inclusion of recent research findings into "living curriculum documents". 3. The efficient development of vociational training programs, in association with the National and State Fishing Industry Councils, for the vairous areas of the fishing industry. 4. Develop a continuing involvement with all fisheries research organisaations, and the FRDC, for purpose of directing the findings of current fisheries research into useful curriculum for dissemination to industry. Read moreRead less
Rock Lobster Post Harvest Subprogram: Expand And Develop The WA Specific Global Lobster Market Database For Strategic Planning By Australian Rock Lobster Industries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$162,050.00
Summary
The WA FRAB has identified market intelligence and information as a priority for 2006-07. The Australian Southern Rocklobster industry has identified the need to "consider big picture market forces shaping the global food markets'" in the management of profitability of the industry, and the WRLDA has identified the need to develop long term strategic marketing plans.
To catch trends in global lobster markets, Australian lobster industries must have information on their market positio ....The WA FRAB has identified market intelligence and information as a priority for 2006-07. The Australian Southern Rocklobster industry has identified the need to "consider big picture market forces shaping the global food markets'" in the management of profitability of the industry, and the WRLDA has identified the need to develop long term strategic marketing plans.
To catch trends in global lobster markets, Australian lobster industries must have information on their market position relative to each other and other exporting nations. They see the need to increase understanding by stakeholders of pressures, drivers and economic trends in the global lobster industry.
To achieve this, the unique Global Lobster Market Database (GLMD) developed by WRLDA in 2004 now must be expanded to include the other Australian lobster industries. This will allow them to identify trends in markets enabling development of predictive models by industry, improving the ability of industry to “fish to the market”. Information currently collected does not include all the markets targeted by Australian lobster producers.
The development of a larger scale, more detailed lobster database, containing information pertinent to all Australian lobster industries, as well exchange rates and market intelligence, will allow the Australian lobster industry to become a significant and more powerful competitor on the world market, addressing needs and wants of consumers rather than being dictated to by commodity markets.
Objectives: 1. Extend the WA specific GLMD to other Australian lobster fisheries. 2. Expand the database to include more countries. 3. Development of protocols that assist the marketers of rocklobster to take due regard of their predictive tools. Read moreRead less