There is general agreement between government, environment groups, researchers and various industry groups that interactions between users of the marine environment and large marine animals are already a problem, and that interactions are likely to increase as populations of marine mammals recover and industries further develop. There is considerable public concern about such interactions, both nationally and internationally, as recent incidents have demonstrated. There is a growing interest fro ....There is general agreement between government, environment groups, researchers and various industry groups that interactions between users of the marine environment and large marine animals are already a problem, and that interactions are likely to increase as populations of marine mammals recover and industries further develop. There is considerable public concern about such interactions, both nationally and internationally, as recent incidents have demonstrated. There is a growing interest from consumers in buying “clean and green” seafood, and in “ecotourism”. The problems have been well documented; however, there has been less focus on solutions. The most effective way to deal with the problems is to summarise existing information, identify the most pressing issues (including scientific, conservation and industry perspectives), and determine the status of efforts to resolve these issues. The next step is to select key issues to workshop. The workshop is needed to develop solutions and suggest policies which will prevent interactions from occurring in the first place if possible, and minimise harm. Where interactions cannot be prevented, innovative technologies should be identified that may minimise impact. The discussion paper will inform the workshop. Both the discussion paper and the workshop are expected to provide data for the development of appropriate government policies. Objectives: 1. To develop a discussion paper to summarise information about interactions between human activities and marine animals in temperate waters and to determine the key issues affecting large marine vertebrates. This will include an assessment of: available data such as coastal use and the timing of migration of large marine vertebrates; mortality figures; major problems; evaluation of previous attempts to resolve problems; current research both nationally and internationally. 2. To hold a workshop to scope effective methods, techniques and technologies to prevent or minimise problems with marine animals in the key areas identified in the discussion paper. Read moreRead less
Genetic Identity Testing and the Family: the articulation between biotechnology and family relationships, politics and policy. Genetic identity testing cuts to the very nature of the family itself. For the first time in human history, it is possible to identify paternity - and misattributed paternity - with reasonable certainty. Parentage testing has become a vehicle for the fathers? rights movement, and is influencing the management of child support policy. Governments are currently developing ....Genetic Identity Testing and the Family: the articulation between biotechnology and family relationships, politics and policy. Genetic identity testing cuts to the very nature of the family itself. For the first time in human history, it is possible to identify paternity - and misattributed paternity - with reasonable certainty. Parentage testing has become a vehicle for the fathers? rights movement, and is influencing the management of child support policy. Governments are currently developing broad policy frameworks on this issue. Yet there is almost no social research on parentage testing. This study will provide scope for Australian leadership in an area of study that will become progressively more important with the rapid development of DNA chip technology. Read moreRead less
Third National Prawn Fisheries Conference – Cairns 2004
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$15,700.97
Summary
All Australian prawn fisheries face a number of common national and international issues. In particular the community expectations and perception of trawl fisheries is having a major impact on current, and future, activities operations. Many prawn fisheries are under pressure to change practices due to real or perceived negative impacts on the marine environment or other marine species. There is no common policy or public approach to these issues and the fisheries are not exchanging informati ....All Australian prawn fisheries face a number of common national and international issues. In particular the community expectations and perception of trawl fisheries is having a major impact on current, and future, activities operations. Many prawn fisheries are under pressure to change practices due to real or perceived negative impacts on the marine environment or other marine species. There is no common policy or public approach to these issues and the fisheries are not exchanging information on their experiences in a constructive manner.
Additionally, international markets are increasing their demands for accreditation of fishing practices from supplier countries and fisheries. Again, there is a need to develop a national approach to this issue and for fisheries to exchange information on how the threat to future sales is being addressed.
International markets are also being overwhelmed by production of prawns from aquaculture and there is no credible marketing approach from wild fisheries to this threat.
In short there is a need for funding support to develop the momentum for a national prawn (fishing) industry conference to be held in 2004 which will provide an opportunity for industry members to be exposed to the key threats and opportunities in their industry and will encourage networks and information exchange between States and fisheries.
Such a forum will address issues identified in the FRDC Strategic Plan relating to Fisheries Management, Industry Development and Human Capital Development. The conference program will provide opportunities for improving management across all prawn fisheries through the exchange of information, it will assist industry development by providing opportunities for coordination of activities at a national level and will provide a forum for providing members of the industry with better information, therefore contributing to the human capital in the industry. Objectives: 1. To establish a National Prawn Fisheries Conference on the national industry agenda. 2. To expose industry members to key national and international issues and advances relevant to their industry 3. To form networks between members of Australia’s prawn fisheries Read moreRead less
Cross-cultural institution-building and development interventions: linking applied and critical approaches. This project will examine cross-cultural institutions created in the context of development, planning and management interventions. The proposed collaboration will support two APAI scholars to research the social and cultural processes whereby such institutions engage local communities in resource mapping, planning and decision-making. One scholar will work in East Timor, the other in the ....Cross-cultural institution-building and development interventions: linking applied and critical approaches. This project will examine cross-cultural institutions created in the context of development, planning and management interventions. The proposed collaboration will support two APAI scholars to research the social and cultural processes whereby such institutions engage local communities in resource mapping, planning and decision-making. One scholar will work in East Timor, the other in the Northern Territory. A key objective is to combine applied and critical approaches in expanding our understanding of the interactions that takes place between external agencies and local communities. The research will contribute to the improved design and implementation of initiatives for managing local resources.Read moreRead less
The relationship between mining companies and mine-affected communities in developing countries. Conflicts with local communities have been a major source of social risk for mining companies operating in Indonesia and other parts of the Asia Pacific region, and this research will contribute to Australian national security by dealing directly with this issue. It will contribute to the formation of better policies and practices for empowering women and empowering communities in the Indonesian mini ....The relationship between mining companies and mine-affected communities in developing countries. Conflicts with local communities have been a major source of social risk for mining companies operating in Indonesia and other parts of the Asia Pacific region, and this research will contribute to Australian national security by dealing directly with this issue. It will contribute to the formation of better policies and practices for empowering women and empowering communities in the Indonesian mining sector. At a regional and global scale, the lessons learnt about the construction of effective strategies for 'engendering' the development process will be applicable in other locations where Australian capital, technology and expertise are invested in large-scale industrial development, both inside and outside of the mining sector.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100218
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,000.00
Summary
Sexual orientation and life chances in contemporary Australia. This project aims to deliver critical policy-relevant quantitative evidence to monitor outcome gaps by sexual orientation. It aims to address the scarcity of information about the extent of socio-economic disparities between heterosexual and non-heterosexual people in Australia. Using a minority stress framework and leveraging innovative survey and administrative data, this project intends to provide systematic evidence of social str ....Sexual orientation and life chances in contemporary Australia. This project aims to deliver critical policy-relevant quantitative evidence to monitor outcome gaps by sexual orientation. It aims to address the scarcity of information about the extent of socio-economic disparities between heterosexual and non-heterosexual people in Australia. Using a minority stress framework and leveraging innovative survey and administrative data, this project intends to provide systematic evidence of social stratification by sexual orientation across life domains, and identify mechanisms driving the associations between sexual-minority status and life outcomes.Read moreRead less
Mid-Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IM230100850
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,089,296.00
Summary
Research evidence in the not-for-profit sector and consumer-driven change. This project has three aims: first, to further build research literacy within the not-for-profit human service sector; second, to contribute new knowledge about how human service sector clients can shape the nature of the services they rely upon; and third, develop a framework for human service clients, human service practitioners, and government stakeholders to more actively and collaboratively engage in social policy de ....Research evidence in the not-for-profit sector and consumer-driven change. This project has three aims: first, to further build research literacy within the not-for-profit human service sector; second, to contribute new knowledge about how human service sector clients can shape the nature of the services they rely upon; and third, develop a framework for human service clients, human service practitioners, and government stakeholders to more actively and collaboratively engage in social policy development. The project expects to generate new knowledge to underpin consumer led and transformations in the human service sector. Expected outcomes of the project include a greater understanding of how not-for-profit organisations can bring together their clients and governments to collaboratively solve social problems. Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: A Review Of The Ecological Impacts Of Selected Antibiotics And Antifoulants Currently Used In The Tasmanian Salmonid Farming Industry And Development Of A Research Programme To Evaluate The Environmental Impact Of Selected Treatments.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$52,560.00
Summary
The Tasmanian salmonid industry has recently been faced with several significant production issues necessitating increased use of antibiotics and antifoulants. The effects of these chemicals on the local ecology and ecosystem function are currently poorly understood and without evidence to the contrary, it is difficult for the industry to refute the perception that such chemicals have a detrimental effect on the environment.
There is a large body of literature regarding the effects of ....The Tasmanian salmonid industry has recently been faced with several significant production issues necessitating increased use of antibiotics and antifoulants. The effects of these chemicals on the local ecology and ecosystem function are currently poorly understood and without evidence to the contrary, it is difficult for the industry to refute the perception that such chemicals have a detrimental effect on the environment.
There is a large body of literature regarding the effects of antibiotics, however the information pertaining to aquaculture is limited. Improvements in husbandry and vaccine development have now all but eliminated the use of antibiotics in aquaculture overseas, consequently there have been few recent aquaculture specific studies, with even fewer studies on ecosystem effects, the available information largely focussing on environmental persistence and antibiotic resistance. However, there is quite a lot of information in the terrestrial livestock and medical areas on the comparative effects of various antibiotics as well as quite a substantial ecotoxicological literature. In contrast there is a substantial local literature on the environmental impacts of antifoulants and heavy metals. There is a need for a targeted review to establish environmental risk factors associated with current antibiotic and antifoulant usage and to develop an appropriate strategy to research and monitor ongoing impacts.
Some data on sediment residue levels for both antibiotics and antifoulants has been collected by the salmon industry in compliance with drug/chemical licensing permit conditions authorities and by the state government in response to concerns regarding antibiotic usage. So far this data has not been collated and has only been subjected to preliminary analysis; a comprehensive evaluation of this data would markedly improve our understanding of current impacts and help to determine what additional information may be required. Objectives: 1. Undertake a review of the international literature and current research to identify the existing state of knowledge regarding the environmental effects of antibiotics and antifoulants currently used or likely to be used in the Tasmanian salmonid farming industry. 2. Analyse local datasets on currently used antibiotics and antifoulants, collected in compliance with current licensing requirements, to determine what additional information is needed (if any) to appropriately evaluate the environmental impact of current management practices. 3. Develop an appropriate and cost effective research proposal to obtain the necessary information to evaluate the impact of current management strategies and design an appropriate ongoing monitoring programme. Read moreRead less
The natural history of licit and illicit drug use in a population cohort of stimulant users. The simultaneous use of alcohol and stimulant drugs by young Australian adults is an emerging social and public health problem. This project provides urgently needed information about the causes and extent of this problem by studying patterns of drug use within a community sample of young adults over a five-year period.