Viral Endemiology Of Selected Australian Commercial Fish Species And Their Susceptibility To Viral Diseases
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Expand the Australian viral endemiology testing facility to include certified continuous cell lines derived from commercially important Australian fish species, 2. enabling the viral endemiology and susceptibility of these fish to be studied
Biosecurity Threats And Vulnerabilities Of The Southern Rock Lobster Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$61,330.00
Summary
SRL industry has been buffeted by various issues in recent years, associated with COVID-19, trading partner non-tariff trade barriers (ostensibly biosecurity or food safety based) and repeated harmful algal blooms (HAB). In particular, HAB remain an ongoing threat, for example with range expansion of Alexandrium tamarense/warming climate, resulting in repeated closures of the east-coat Tasmanian SRL fishery. Other regions of Australia may also face an increased risk of HAB. In addition, access ....SRL industry has been buffeted by various issues in recent years, associated with COVID-19, trading partner non-tariff trade barriers (ostensibly biosecurity or food safety based) and repeated harmful algal blooms (HAB). In particular, HAB remain an ongoing threat, for example with range expansion of Alexandrium tamarense/warming climate, resulting in repeated closures of the east-coat Tasmanian SRL fishery. Other regions of Australia may also face an increased risk of HAB. In addition, access to alternative markets with new sanitary and food safety requirements adds biosecurity and sanitary complexity.
Nearly every animal sector that is involved in harvest (e.g. fisheries) or production has seen rapid change associated with external factors such as spread of invasive species and pests, diseases (both emerging and introduced/exotic) and global issues such as climate change. For example, the Australian Prawn industry has been damaged by emergence and repeated outbreaks of White Spot Syndrome Virus in Australia. Ausvet has recently modelled surveillance data for WSSV on behalf of FRDC and the Australian Prawn Farmers Association and it is clear that WSSV has the potential to spread further south. WSSV affects most crustaceans, although SRL may only be vectors and not show clinical disease. Regardless, such issues can become trade barriers.
Thus, the SRL industry has a need to understand biosecurity risks and how these relate to the ability to harvest, sustain a productive fishery or trade globally. Understanding biosecurity risks are the key building blocks for biosecurity planning which has become an essential part of protecting animal production in Australia and globally, across terrestrial and aquaculture systems. This project will inform biosecurity planning for SRL fisheries. This project concentrates on assisting the broader SRL industry to identify and prioritise emerging, future or existing risks. In addition, it will identify industry capacity and barriers to managing risks. This information can then be used during future industry-wide biosecurity planning. Objectives: 1. Enable improved biosecurity planning within the Southern Rock Lobster industry Read moreRead less
An Investigation Of The Trace Elements Present In Bronze Whaler Sharks And Rock Lobsters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Isolate mercury & selenium present in the flesh of bronze whaler sharks; 2. explore the nature & concentration of metallic trace elements in the offal of rock lobsters, particularly those present in the hepatopancreas of the western rock lobster
Preliminary Feasibility Study On The Use Of New Age-pigment-based Methods For Age Determination Of Western Rock Lobster (Panulirus Cygnus)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$27,170.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Preliminary feasibility study on the use of new age-pigment-based methods for age determination of western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus)
Mitigating Threatened Species Bycatch In Gillnet Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Mitigating the bycatch of threatened species in Australian gillnet fisheries is a major management challenge. Australian prawn trawl gear is a well-documented example of how the testing and implementation of bycatch reduction devices has resulted in the significant reduction in the bycatch of non-target species including threatened species. However, devices or modifications to reduce bycatch in gillnets are far less well studied. Where the deployment of gillnets overlaps with the habitat of thre ....Mitigating the bycatch of threatened species in Australian gillnet fisheries is a major management challenge. Australian prawn trawl gear is a well-documented example of how the testing and implementation of bycatch reduction devices has resulted in the significant reduction in the bycatch of non-target species including threatened species. However, devices or modifications to reduce bycatch in gillnets are far less well studied. Where the deployment of gillnets overlaps with the habitat of threatened species, bycatch of these species can occur, creating a significant management issue. Within northern Australian gillnet fisheries, bycatch of threatened/migratory sawfishes, river sharks, and devil rays listed under the EPBC Act is an on-going issue requiring evidence-based interventions. Northern Australia holds the most significant remaining populations of sawfishes and river sharks globally, but these important species form the most numerous threatened species bycatch in local gillnet fisheries. Within these fisheries, the target bony fish are harvested at sustainable levels with high-quality seafood product providing important economic contributions locally and nationally. Mitigating the on-going bycatch of non-target threatened species is arguably the most significant challenge facing these fisheries.
This project will test novel mitigation devices (static green LED lights and an electric deterrent (SharkGuard)) and assess alternative gears to gillnets to reduce bycatch of EPBC Act listed sharks and rays. In partnership with industry, trials will assess the effectiveness of devices to elicit a response in bycatch species, their ability to reduce bycatch levels, and their impact on target species. An assessment of alternative gear types will consider the feasibility of transitioning the commercial sector of the NT Barramundi Fishery to fishing gear with lower bycatch levels in the future. Trial outcomes will provide industry and managers with proven options to assist implementation of threatened species mitigation strategies in northern gillnet fisheries.
This project will give industry and managers confidence in tested bycatch mitigation technologies. Only by comprehensively testing static green LED lights and the SharkGuard electric deterrent through aquarium and field trials under varied local conditions can a scientifically robust evaluation of bycatch reduction be undertaken. Successful demonstration overseas of the devices to be trialled provides the starting knowledge that they can deter sharks and rays and reduce their bycatch levels by up to 95%. To our knowledge, these bycatch mitigation devices have not been tested in Australian gillnet fisheries. If demonstrated and applied in northern Australian gillnet fisheries, these devices may have the ability to significantly reduce the bycatch of eight EPBC Act listed threatened and/or migratory sharks and rays, as well as other sharks of conservation concern (notably, hammerhead sharks). Furthermore, there may be flow-on benefits to other EPBC Act listed species groups, particularly marine turtles. LED lights were initially applied as a bycatch reduction measure for turtles, and they have been demonstrated to reduce turtle bycatch (turtle bycatch is at a low level in NT and WA gillnet fisheries making direct experimental/field evaluation of bycatch reduction difficult in the NT/WA). Objectives: 1. Comprehensively test two novel mitigation devices (deterrents) to provide industry and managers with scientifically robust tested measures with the potential to be implemented throughout a wide variety of gillnet fisheries. 2. Assess alternative gears to gillnet within the NT Barramundi Fishery. Investigating alternative gear is aimed at assessing if there are ways to achieve sustainable catches of target species while reducing or even eliminating bycatch of focal threatened species. Read moreRead less
Seafood On Spencer - Showcasing Spencer Gulf Seafood
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$2,500.00
Summary
If we are awarded the $10,000 FRDC will be offered an exclusive Platinum Sponsorship of the event and you will experience an exclusive Gulf to Plate experience with a reserved table in our sponsors area and you will receive a chefs tasting platter from each of our high end caterers along with some complimentary drinks. Here you will have the opportunity to network with fellow sponsors for example: SFM Blue, SAFCOL Fishmarket who are bringing a table of SA fish buyers, SA Prawn Association, SA Bl ....If we are awarded the $10,000 FRDC will be offered an exclusive Platinum Sponsorship of the event and you will experience an exclusive Gulf to Plate experience with a reserved table in our sponsors area and you will receive a chefs tasting platter from each of our high end caterers along with some complimentary drinks. Here you will have the opportunity to network with fellow sponsors for example: SFM Blue, SAFCOL Fishmarket who are bringing a table of SA fish buyers, SA Prawn Association, SA Blue Crab Pot Fishers Association, A & C Barnes Seafoods, Barnes Seafood, Hewett Seafood, Bencar Fisheries. Other possible networking opportunities are with The Hon Clare Scriven MLC, local Federal and State Members of Parliament, Director of Fisheries and other PIRSA representatives, SARDI representatives and local Industry. I have attached a copy of our sponsorship proposal which will outline other promotional benefits including print and social media etc. PLEASE note our printing material will be printed on the 2nd of December so we have time to distribute it to surrounding towns before the Xmas holidays so we will need confirmation prior to this with a high resolution logo if you would like to be included on our posters as a sponsor. Read moreRead less
Development Of A USA Market Strategy For Western Rock Lobster Tails
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$25,150.20
Summary
Objectives: 1. To establish the perception of the trade towards the WA lobster tails compared to other species 2. To provide a summary of the long term implications of the current position 3. To provide recommendations of how the current demand and price attitude can be turned around including a programme of restoration and financing options 4. To develop a strategy programme to pursue the restoration and improvement on lobster tails marketing in USA
ESD And Fisheries: What, Why, How And When? A Stakeholders' Workshop
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$57,927.49
Summary
The Research Subcommittee of the Standing Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture (SCFA) has been developing a national approach to the implementation of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) in fisheries. Recently, Environment Australia (EA) has proposed changes to Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Act in which the general exemption of commercial fish species from Schedule 4 be removed. It will be a requirement that "species are taken in a manner that is demonstrably ecologically su ....The Research Subcommittee of the Standing Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture (SCFA) has been developing a national approach to the implementation of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) in fisheries. Recently, Environment Australia (EA) has proposed changes to Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Act in which the general exemption of commercial fish species from Schedule 4 be removed. It will be a requirement that "species are taken in a manner that is demonstrably ecologically sustainable" before being given an exemption from the Act. EA has developed a draft set of criteria for assessing sustainability of commercial fisheries. SCFA has formed a Sustainability Indicators Working Group to coordinate a national response. The Research Subcommittee presented a workplan for developing sustainability indicators to this Group on October 15. This was endorsed by SCFA on 26 October 1999.
These national initiatives should also been seen within the context of international developments such as FAO's 'Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries'and 'Guidelines for Developing Indicators for Sustainable Development for Wild Capture Fisheries', the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) 'Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing' and ISO 14000. A number of Australian fisheries have expressed interest in obtaining MSC accreditation.
The interaction of fisheries and the environment including increased scrutiny of the industry by environment groups, MSC and Schedule 4, was one of the main themes at the recent Seafood Directions Conference.
Its against this background of major developments by a range of agencies, both national and international, that this workshop is proposed. To effectively implement ESD in fisheries will require a partnership between all stakeholders. The proposed workshop is endorsed by SCFA. It is consistent with the workplan developed by the Research Subcommittee. It is the first step to ensuring all participants are aware of all the issues, speak the same language and take ownership of the process. The workshop will identify stakeholder priorities and proved the basis for an action plan addressing these priorities.
The workshop will replace an FRDC-sponsored workshop which was scheduled to be held during 1999. It will be held in conjunction with the International Seafood Fair to be held at Geelong in March 2000. Objectives: 1. To hold a workshop to ensure all stakeholders are aware of the issues and processes surrounding ESD and fisheries. 2. To identify SCFA, industry and other stakeholder priorities. 3. To provide the basis for an action plan for addressing stakeholder priorities. Read moreRead less