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
Researching, Trialling And Evaluating A Market Driven Approach To Commercialising A Range Extended Marine Species - Tasmanian Wild Sea Urchin (Longspined Sea Urchin)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$560,000.00
Summary
Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC. Objectives: Commercial in confidence
Suboptimal Sleep And Unhealthy Brain Ageing: Improving Outcomes Through Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$632,705.00
Summary
My research will address limitations in our understanding of the impact of sleep characteristics on memory and thinking abilities and biological markers of brain health in older adults, by; 1) exploring these relationships over time, and 2) enabling direct assessment of the effect of improved sleep on memory and thinking, and markers of brain health, following sleep-improvement therapy. My results will contribute to the development of strategies aimed at promoting healthy brain ageing.
Investigation And Improvement Of Live Blue Swimmer Crab Handling In NSW
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$102,107.00
Summary
As the NSW fishing industry moves forward into the future with quota managed fisheries, there is a need for industry to develop procedures and process on catching, holding and transporting Blue swimmer crab that would value add to the wild harvest sector’s product – particularly for the live sales market.
The current market is predominantly made of sales of cooked and raw blue swimmer crabs. An approx. price range of blue swimmer crab for 2015 / 2016 was $8.50 < $9.00 per kilo. The liv ....As the NSW fishing industry moves forward into the future with quota managed fisheries, there is a need for industry to develop procedures and process on catching, holding and transporting Blue swimmer crab that would value add to the wild harvest sector’s product – particularly for the live sales market.
The current market is predominantly made of sales of cooked and raw blue swimmer crabs. An approx. price range of blue swimmer crab for 2015 / 2016 was $8.50 < $9.00 per kilo. The live trade in blue swimmer crab in 2016 / 2017 is approx. $20.00 per kilo. A move to selling into the live market would provide a better return for effort and would help in maximizing return on investment in the blue swimmer crab quota fishery.
The “Live Blue Swimmer Crab” trade is in its infancy and it is timely to invest in technologies that will assist in lowering the mortality rates of these animals. Any investment now will accelerate the development of this fishery and ensure the best chance for the restructure of the NSW fishery to achieve its goals.ie viability and efficient use of a quota species.
The industry needs to have an easy to read handling guideline developed and training workshops to improve their access to the market and reduce mortality rates.
Objectives: 1. To produce handling guidelines and conduct a series of industry training workshops to reduce the mortality rate of blue swimmer crabs and thereby increase the volume of live product to market 2. To improve fishermen returns who adopt the guidelines and undertake the training provided Read moreRead less
Security Of Resource Access - What Is Legislative Best Practice For The Commercial Seafood Industry?
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$50,000.00
Summary
The need for improved resource security was articulated at the SIA Tipping Point meeting held in Fremantle in February 2019. This event was attended by seafood industry representatives from across Australia. The absence of secure access to resources, both aquatic and terrestrial, is a major threat and looming impediment to the growth and prosperity of the Australian seafood industry. This is not a new problem, but despite debate, discussion, lobbying and advocacy for more than 2 decades, it ....The need for improved resource security was articulated at the SIA Tipping Point meeting held in Fremantle in February 2019. This event was attended by seafood industry representatives from across Australia. The absence of secure access to resources, both aquatic and terrestrial, is a major threat and looming impediment to the growth and prosperity of the Australian seafood industry. This is not a new problem, but despite debate, discussion, lobbying and advocacy for more than 2 decades, it remains an existential threat to the Australian seafood industry.
Improving security is critical to providing an environment that encourages innovation and the confidence to invest and work in our industry.
Lack of certainty of access to biological and environmental resources has significant ramifications for the mental health of our people, and negatively impacts access to business opportunities and other critical business resources including finance and staff. Flow on effects from continued resource access restrictions also affect our post-harvest businesses, freight companies and local communities across Australia.
The threats to access and resource security are varied, including: • sharing resources with, and impacts of, other marine and terrestrial users including recreational fishers, indigenous title claims, petroleum industry, • changes to / lack of clarity surrounding government policy and legislation, • use of Ministerial discretionary powers, as demonstrated by the Western Australian Government intervention in the WRL fishery quota and dramatic increases of pearling lease fees, • water quality requirements associated with aquaculture operations, • uncertainty results in risk in financing of commercial fishing operations, • access limitations restrict growth of jobs in the aquaculture, wild and post-harvest sectors, • changing community perceptions • eNGO activism such as in the small pelagic fishery, quota purchases, alternate definition of sustainability and targeting particular fishing methods, • restriction of access through increasing reserves including Marine Parks and threats of more restrictive management plans, and • changing environmental conditions. Objectives: 1. To evaluate international instruments to improve the security of Australia's resource access 2. Identify best practice with respect of surety of access Read moreRead less
Touch and Tension: Molecular Determinants of Human Mechanosensation . Feelings of touch and muscle tension are initiated by mechanosensory neurons found within the peripheral nervous system. Knowledge of human mechanosensory neurons has predominantly relied on rodent studies because of the limited availability of human tissue, which is not ideal. Our team has developed novel technologies for generating human mechanosensory neurons ‘in the dish’. The major aim of this project is to use human stem ....Touch and Tension: Molecular Determinants of Human Mechanosensation . Feelings of touch and muscle tension are initiated by mechanosensory neurons found within the peripheral nervous system. Knowledge of human mechanosensory neurons has predominantly relied on rodent studies because of the limited availability of human tissue, which is not ideal. Our team has developed novel technologies for generating human mechanosensory neurons ‘in the dish’. The major aim of this project is to use human stem cell-derived mechanosensory neurons as a platform to extensively study their molecular and functional properties. The significant benefits are the advancement of knowledge in the human mechanosensory system, which to date has been lacking, and in the long-term progress commercial development of novel drugs.Read moreRead less
Quantifying Post-release Survival And Movement Of Snapper (Chrysophrys Auratus): Informing Strategies To Engage The Fishing Community In Practices To Enhance The Sustainability Of An Important Multi-sector Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$395,517.00
Summary
PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture and SA’s Research Advisory Committee identified the need for cross-sectorial research to support the future management and recovery of SA’s Snapper stocks. Recently, the SA Government announced a three-year closure of Snapper fishing, and a package of research needs were identified, including to gain an understanding of the effects of barotrauma and sector-specific fishing methods on the survival of released Snapper. The key priority identified was to better under ....PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture and SA’s Research Advisory Committee identified the need for cross-sectorial research to support the future management and recovery of SA’s Snapper stocks. Recently, the SA Government announced a three-year closure of Snapper fishing, and a package of research needs were identified, including to gain an understanding of the effects of barotrauma and sector-specific fishing methods on the survival of released Snapper. The key priority identified was to better understand the factors that explain PRS, to identify practical strategies to mitigate post-release mortality, and subsequently use that information to improve awareness among all fishing sectors. Particularly emphasis was placed on the recreational and commercial fishers in relation to capture, handling and release practices in cases where under-sized (
Objectives: 1. Quantify release rates of Snapper across the commercial, charter boat and recreational sectors of South Australia’s Marine Scalefish Fishery. 2. Determine rates of post release survival for line-caught Snapper using conventional and electronic tags. 3. Evaluate fishing practices that minimise barotrauma in line-caught Snapper. 4. Develop improved understanding of Snapper movement patterns through an extensive community supported tagging study. 5. Develop guidelines for community-driven tagging activities 6. Engage with the key fishing sectors to develop a Code-of-Practice that promotes responsible fish-handling practices, humane-treatment, and harm-minimisation for Snapper. Read moreRead less
Quantifying The Exposure, Protection And Recovery Of Seafloor Habitats In Spencer Gulf To Prawn Trawling
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$314,535.00
Summary
An independent review (FishListic Pty Ltd. 2019) identified knowledge gaps that need to be addressed for the SGPF to have a successful re-assessment of their MSC certification. The review found that detailed information was needed on the percentage of key seafloor habitat types within and outside the trawl footprint.
The review highlighted the need to visually monitor the SGPF’s associated habitats to address knowledge gaps of habitat extent, regeneration, detailed mapping, sensitivity ....An independent review (FishListic Pty Ltd. 2019) identified knowledge gaps that need to be addressed for the SGPF to have a successful re-assessment of their MSC certification. The review found that detailed information was needed on the percentage of key seafloor habitat types within and outside the trawl footprint.
The review highlighted the need to visually monitor the SGPF’s associated habitats to address knowledge gaps of habitat extent, regeneration, detailed mapping, sensitivity and understanding of gear impacts. Specific knowledge gaps are: a) the presence/extent of sponge and rhodolith habitats currently in medium to high-intensity trawl areas; b) regeneration of sponge and rhodolith habitats previously subjected to high-intensity trawling; c) post-capture survivability of rhodolith pavement; and d) impact of gear on specific habitats.
The MSC Fisheries Standard for Habitats (PI 2.4) requires explicit assessment of the fishery’s impact on commonly encountered habitats, vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) and minor habitats. While VMEs are not currently designated in Spencer Gulf, the common, sensitive and minor habitats associated with the SGPF need to be evaluated. Data are needed on the amount of exposure of these habitats to prawn trawling in Spencer Gulf, as well as on their protection and recovery, to determine their status.
In order for the SGPF to maintain its status as one of the world’s best managed prawn trawl fisheries and retain its social licence to operate, the requirements of MSC Principle 2: Habitat (2.4) need to be addressed. Seafloor habitat types found within the trawl grounds need to be visually monitored, described, quantified, and impacts from prawn trawling assessed.
New understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution of key habitats and impacts from fishing in the context of the entire Spencer Gulf is needed to protect fisheries resources and the environment that supports them, and for integrated ecosystem-based management to be implemented in the future.
Objectives: 1. Estimate the proportion of key seafloor habitats (namely sponge gardens, rhodolith pavements and seagrass) and selected by-catch species that occur inside and outside the SGPF trawl footprint; 2. Quantify the spatial distribution of cumulative trawl intensity and time-since-trawled across Spencer Gulf; 3. Quantify the exposure and protection of seafloor habitats and by-catch species to trawling; 4. Estimate the potential regeneration timeframes of key seafloor habitats and assess their current status. Read moreRead less