A Multi-setting Intervention To Reduce Sedentary Behaviour, Promote Physical Activity And Improve Childrens Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$860,343.00
Summary
Sedentary behaviours and physical inactivity play a major role in the rising prevalence of obesity among children in Australia. This intervention study will take place in the school and family settings which play a critical role in shaping children's health behaviours. The objective is to determine whether a 2-year behavioural intervention reduces sedentary behaviour and promotes physical activity and results in improved health among 8-9 year old children.
International Travel Bursary - Elspeth Macdonald's (Scottish Fishermen's Federation) Experience With Spatial Management And The Renewable Energy Sector
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$29,700.00
Summary
Elspeth Macdonald, the CEO of Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF), is a key advocate for the fishing industry and has critical knowledge and experience with the spatial squeeze and the emerging offshore renewable energy sector. As such, WAFIC and the South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishermen’s’ Association recognises an opportunity for the fishing industry and government representatives to share and learn from Scotland’s experiences. Through this exchange of knowledge, we hope to g ....Elspeth Macdonald, the CEO of Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF), is a key advocate for the fishing industry and has critical knowledge and experience with the spatial squeeze and the emerging offshore renewable energy sector. As such, WAFIC and the South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishermen’s’ Association recognises an opportunity for the fishing industry and government representatives to share and learn from Scotland’s experiences. Through this exchange of knowledge, we hope to guide the development of Australian policy frameworks that encourage co-existence with commercial fisheries.
Tentatively, we are planning for Mrs Macdonald to arrive in Perth to attend high-level State Ministerial and State and Commonwealth Government meetings, before travelling to Adelaide to be a keynote speaker at the Rock Lobster Trans-Tasman Conference arranged by the South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishermen’s’ Association and then attend a National Coordination Ocean Access Committee meeting coordinated by Seafood Industry Australia. Other potential opportunities may also be identified and discussed in the months leading up to Mrs Macdonald’s arrival. Read moreRead less
Sustainable Development Of Tropical Australia: R&D For Management Of Land, Water And Marine Resources
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$25,085.00
Summary
In response to the need for sustainable development of tropical Australia, CSIRO (Divisions of Marine Research, Tropical Agriculture, and Land and Water) in collaboration with State and Territory Departments (Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia), and the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation (LWRRDC) and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) are developing a project which aims to overcome the significant gaps that exist in current knowledg ....In response to the need for sustainable development of tropical Australia, CSIRO (Divisions of Marine Research, Tropical Agriculture, and Land and Water) in collaboration with State and Territory Departments (Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia), and the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation (LWRRDC) and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) are developing a project which aims to overcome the significant gaps that exist in current knowledge relating to the impacts of catchments and their associated land uses on the coastal zone and to integrate current and new knowledge to underpin the development of negotiated approaches to multiple use management.
The project will by necessity require strong integration across a range of physical, chemical, biological, economic and social disciplines. The integration of scientific knowledge with a broad suite of innovative approaches to regional planning will allow new benchmarks that exceed current practice in natural resource management. As such, it is likely that the proposed project could serve as a model for future work and, in so doing, deliver significant benefits to both tropical Australia and the nation. Objectives: 1. Identify natural resources priority issues with stakeholders, and determine their management priority, R&D needs, and institutional and organisational capacity; 2. Identify and review existing natural resource management data, process understanding and information; 3. Examine and critically review opportunities for R&D to underpin improved natural resource management and identify potential obstacles and risks to R&D in natural resource management; 4. Specify R&D priorities to underpin improved natural resource management and options for implementation. Read moreRead less
The changing marketplace and production profile of rock lobster internationally dictates that the Australian rock lobster industry applies state of the art technology in management, research and development, if we are to maintain a competitive position and grow the value of the limited resource.
At present no vehicle exists to allow industry an effective interchange of ideas or to consider leading edge research and development from around the globe. Essentially the Australian lobster i ....The changing marketplace and production profile of rock lobster internationally dictates that the Australian rock lobster industry applies state of the art technology in management, research and development, if we are to maintain a competitive position and grow the value of the limited resource.
At present no vehicle exists to allow industry an effective interchange of ideas or to consider leading edge research and development from around the globe. Essentially the Australian lobster industries operate in isolation, disjointed by State borders.
The Tri-State Southern Rock Lobster Conference has historically seen ad hoc attempts made to bring industry together. The conference has evolved into a quasi national event with representatives from most States and New Zealand in attendance, although the primary focus on the jasus edwardsii lobster remains a deficiency.
An outcome of the most recent Tri-State Conference, was a call for a National Lobster Conference including all States and species not covered, to establish a forum for industry Australia wide to make a start at building a national focus on management, marketing, development and problem solving.
At present information flow in these areas are localised trickles at best and the industry has a responsibility to upgrade its role in information exchange. Objectives: 1. Provide an International Class Lobster Industry Congress 2. To Ensure a Financially Viable Event Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Reducing The Impact Of Discarded Recreational Fishing Tackle On Coastal Seabirds
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$40,000.00
Summary
This proposal will address the FRDC Recfishing Research priority area "Assessing the impact of recreational fishing methods on conservation values of aquatic habitats" as announced in the 2012 Annual Competitive Round Call for Expressions Of Interest. After making inquiries with seabird rescue organisations, it has become apparent that seabird entanglements in discarded fishing tackle is of major concern. Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital report that their rescue unit responded to approximately 30 ....This proposal will address the FRDC Recfishing Research priority area "Assessing the impact of recreational fishing methods on conservation values of aquatic habitats" as announced in the 2012 Annual Competitive Round Call for Expressions Of Interest. After making inquiries with seabird rescue organisations, it has become apparent that seabird entanglements in discarded fishing tackle is of major concern. Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital report that their rescue unit responded to approximately 300 calls for bird entanglements in discarded fishing tackle in 2011 (to August 1). Further, the Rescue Hotline of Pelican and Seabird Rescue Inc. have received approximately 400 calls in 2011 (to the time of writing - 10/9/2011). These figures are unacceptable and measures need to be taken to decrease the incidence of seabird interactions with discarded recreational fishing tackle. The injuries that result from these interactions are often catastrophic, with a high proportion of entangled animals being euthanised. Healthy Waterways has produced a provocative poster, attached, depicting a pair of budgerigars surrounded by fishing line and hooks. Such negative stereotypes need to be addressed and, as such, there is a need to educate recreational fishers as to the consequences of the careless discarding of fishing tackle. This subject was recently highlighted in a Queensland recreational fishing publication, Queensland Fishing Monthly (see attachment). Both recreational fishing representative groups, Sunfish and Ecofishers, have expressed concern regarding this issue. A fifteen minute search at a secluded recreational fishing location in the northern suburbs of Brisbane by two people resulted in the collection of the fishing tackle pictured in the attachment (13/09/2011 - Tingalpa Creek). Although this could be construed as an environmental problem and beyond the purview of FRDC, it certainly reflects poorly on recreational fishers and, as such, an extension/educational project would help alleviate the problems highlighted in this proposal. Objectives: 1. Quantify the extent of seabird entanglement in northern Moreton Bay 2. Convene a workshop involving relevant stakeholders in order to establish methods for mitigating seabird entanglements 3. Promote the responsible removal of discarded fishing tackle from popular fishing locations in northern Moreton Bay Read moreRead less
Improving water market outcomes through a better understanding of market behaviour. The issue of water resources and their sustainable use is probably the most important issue facing the rural sector. The water reform process and its aim to secure water for the environment will cause economic and social pain and result in structural change within the irrigation sector. Properly functioning water markets will play an instrumental role in facilitating this process by providing water for the envir ....Improving water market outcomes through a better understanding of market behaviour. The issue of water resources and their sustainable use is probably the most important issue facing the rural sector. The water reform process and its aim to secure water for the environment will cause economic and social pain and result in structural change within the irrigation sector. Properly functioning water markets will play an instrumental role in facilitating this process by providing water for the environment and allowing water to move between competing resources. This study will enable policy makers and water managers to optimise the positive outcome of water markets and increase the likely success of programs to purchase environmental water.Read moreRead less