In-situ electrochemical generation of caustic and oxygen from sewage for emission control in sewers. This project aims to deliver an innovative technology that controls the emission of notorious compounds from sewer networks using chemicals directly produced from sewage, with electricity being the input. Compared to existing methods, this technology provides a much safer and more environmentally friendly solution, at less than 50 per cent of the cost.
Industry Survey Of The 1997 Eastern Gemfish Season
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$144,564.00
Summary
In 1997 1,000t will be allocated amongst the South East Trawl fishery, individual allocations will vary from over 100t down to 100s of kg. These allocations will allow some targeted fishing for gemfish but operators will also have to manage their individual allocations to cover their anticipated bycatch of gemfish as they fill quotas for other species. This management of bycatch will bias reported commercial catch rates in 1997 preventing comparison with historic trends and the updating of the ....In 1997 1,000t will be allocated amongst the South East Trawl fishery, individual allocations will vary from over 100t down to 100s of kg. These allocations will allow some targeted fishing for gemfish but operators will also have to manage their individual allocations to cover their anticipated bycatch of gemfish as they fill quotas for other species. This management of bycatch will bias reported commercial catch rates in 1997 preventing comparison with historic trends and the updating of the stock assessment developed by EGAG during 1996.
Consequently EGAG considered that another Industry Survey in 1997 is needed for two principal reasons: 1. To provide catch rate data which is representative of targeted gemfish fishing. 2. To ensure timely provision of high quality data for stock assessment during September and October 1997.
However having decided on the need for the 1997 survey EGAG considered that two other lesser needs could be addressed for little additional expense. These are: A. to understand targeting patterns in the SEF and their impact on stock assessment and B. the influence of oceanographic factors on the South East Fishery. Objectives: 1. Catch and effort and length-frequency data for targeted eastern gemfish fishing during the 1997 season will supplied in Excel spreadsheets will be supplied to EGAG before 1 September 1997. 2. The targeting practices of four survey vessels; Charissa, Marina Star, Illawara Star and Santa Rosa II during the 1997 season will be documented and analysed in relationship to previously reported targeting patterns. 3. The relationship between gemfish aggregations and oceanographic features during 1997 will be documented and analysed. 4. The feasibility of using multi-frequency acoustics to measure the size of gemfish aggregations will be analysed. Read moreRead less
New tools to detect ecological effects of contaminants in estuaries. Identifying risks to estuarine environments from pollutants is difficult for environmental managers, who must choose between laboratory toxicity testing that is precise, but hard to generalise to field situations, and more realistic field-based monitoring, which is expensive, with a high signal to noise ratio. New molecular techniques may provide more options. Metabolomics can provide insights into the health of animals, and ec ....New tools to detect ecological effects of contaminants in estuaries. Identifying risks to estuarine environments from pollutants is difficult for environmental managers, who must choose between laboratory toxicity testing that is precise, but hard to generalise to field situations, and more realistic field-based monitoring, which is expensive, with a high signal to noise ratio. New molecular techniques may provide more options. Metabolomics can provide insights into the health of animals, and ecogenomics offers a way to rapidly assess the composition of an ecological community. These techniques offer great promise, but they must be cross-validated against existing methods to derive the best ’toolbox’. Working with Melbourne Water and CSIRO the investigators aim to do this using demonstration estuaries in Victoria.Read moreRead less
Feasibility Study To Evaluate Non-lethal Measurements Of Health Of Farmed Tuna Using Biochemical Methods And Surrogate Species
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$77,672.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To compare biochemical methods of assessing the effects of pollutant stress in tuna with methods currently used. New methods include measurement of adenylates and ATPase in fish tissue samples. 2. To evaluate methods of sampling fish or fish tissues from pens which will reduce stress and improve the probability of recovery of sampled fish which are returned to the pens. This part of the project will be closely co-ordinated with workers evaluating current sampling practic ....Objectives: 1. To compare biochemical methods of assessing the effects of pollutant stress in tuna with methods currently used. New methods include measurement of adenylates and ATPase in fish tissue samples. 2. To evaluate methods of sampling fish or fish tissues from pens which will reduce stress and improve the probability of recovery of sampled fish which are returned to the pens. This part of the project will be closely co-ordinated with workers evaluating current sampling practices. 3. To evaluate the use of the biochemical responses of other species (e.g. tommy ruff, blue mussels) which cohabit with tuna in farm pens as surrogate indicators of pollutant stress experienced by tuna. Read moreRead less
Pilchard Mortality Events In Australia And Related World Events
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$59,025.44
Summary
The lack of a consolidated report on the 1995 pilchard mortality event hampered the Joint Pilchard Scientific Working Group in its investigation of the 1998 mortality event. It remains uncertain that the response to the 1998 mortality was efficient and it poses the risk that should another event occur in the future, it too will be met with a poorly-coordinated response. Such a response may not yield adequate data or appropriate data for researchers and fisheries managers around Australia. There ....The lack of a consolidated report on the 1995 pilchard mortality event hampered the Joint Pilchard Scientific Working Group in its investigation of the 1998 mortality event. It remains uncertain that the response to the 1998 mortality was efficient and it poses the risk that should another event occur in the future, it too will be met with a poorly-coordinated response. Such a response may not yield adequate data or appropriate data for researchers and fisheries managers around Australia. There is also a risk that scientific investigations may be duplicated, resulting in an inefficient use of industry and public resources.
The lack of a detailed analysis of the events of both 1995 and 1998 and of similar events in other parts of the world compound the difficulties involved in an evaluation of the implications of the mortalities to commercial fisheries and other species which depend wholly or in part on access to pilchards, eg sea lions and penguins. Objectives: 1. Prepare a comprehensive report of pilchard mortality events in Australian waters prior to 1995 and in waters world wide to the present time 2. Provide a summary of the 1995 pilchard mortality event 3. Prepare a comprehensive and competent technical report on the pilchard mortality event in 1998 4. Describe and evaluate the coordinating and managing approaches taken in 1995 and 1998 pilchard mortality events 5. Assess the implications of the pilchard mortality events 6. Evaluate the conclusions which can be drawn from various hypothese as to the cause, origin, trigger and epizootiology of the events 7. Assess options for managing future pilchard mortality events Read moreRead less
Establishing A National End Of Life Fishing/aquaculture Gear Recovery System For Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$273,080.00
Summary
Building on the circularity discussions and work being undertaken by FRDC and the industry, this project seeks to undertake the legwork required to establish a nationwide on-demand End of life (EOL) fishing gear recovery system for Australia and pilot it in key locations. The materials that many nets and ropes are made of are highly valuable and recyclable and in fact in many other countries, is already being recycled or remanufactured. Until now, having a national system has been cost prohibi ....Building on the circularity discussions and work being undertaken by FRDC and the industry, this project seeks to undertake the legwork required to establish a nationwide on-demand End of life (EOL) fishing gear recovery system for Australia and pilot it in key locations. The materials that many nets and ropes are made of are highly valuable and recyclable and in fact in many other countries, is already being recycled or remanufactured. Until now, having a national system has been cost prohibitive due to the large distances and need for economies of scale and limited local buyer interest. As a part of the national targets set by the Australian Government relating to plastics use and recycling, commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors have been exploring how to move to a circular economy model and reduce plastic inputs through a variety of projects run by FRDC and others. However, with fishing gear the biggest plastic polymer input, and contamination challenges, there has yet to be a suitable system established.
This project seeks to enable the opportunities that addressing EOL gear provides in Australia to the commercial fishing and aquaculture sector through the establishment of an effective EOL fishing gear recovery system for the country to reduce the landfill costs to industry. It seeks to build on the learnings from previous projects as well as the ten years of experience of our partner Bureo has in in operating an EOL fishing gear recovery program. Bureo currently have an EOL gear recovery system active in 9 countries.
The key objectives are: ● By the end of 2026 there is an effective end-of-life fishing/aquaculture gear recovery system implemented across key fishing ports, and key aquaculture centres benefiting regional communities and fisheries conservation and assisting the Australian Government to address plastic recovery/recycling targets. ● By the end of 2024, the enabling environment for an effective and fit for purpose EOL fishing/aquaculture gear recovery system is in place within Australia, with commencement of recycling underway in key pilot locations.
Objectives: 1. By March 2025 the feasibility of and logistical requirements are understood to establish a national end of life recovery system for commercial fishing and aquaculture gear in Australia and an enabling pathway for roll out created. 2. By the end of 2026 there is an effective end-of-life fishing/aquaculture gear recovery system for Australia implemented across at least 5 key fishing ports, with measurable benefits being delivered to regional communities, industry, conservation, while contributing towards the Australian Government’s recycling targets. Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrated Coral Reef Studies. The overarching aim of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrated Coral Reef Studies is to provide the scientific knowledge necessary for sustaining ecosystem goods and services of the worlds coral reefs, which support the livelihoods and food security of millions of people in the tropics. The Centre will enhance Australia's global leadership in coral reef science through three ambitious research programs addressing the future of coral ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrated Coral Reef Studies. The overarching aim of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrated Coral Reef Studies is to provide the scientific knowledge necessary for sustaining ecosystem goods and services of the worlds coral reefs, which support the livelihoods and food security of millions of people in the tropics. The Centre will enhance Australia's global leadership in coral reef science through three ambitious research programs addressing the future of coral reefs and their ability to adapt to change. A key outcome of the research will be providing tangible benefits to all Australians by building bridges between the natural and social sciences, strengthening capacity, and informing and supporting transformative changes in coral reef governance and management.Read moreRead less
Clothes, fibres and filters that reduce pollution by micro and nano debris. This project aims to provide scientifically verified methods to avoid, intercept and redesign products that cause the most abundant type of marine plastic pollution – clothing fibres - which has increased by over 450% in 60 years. It will determine how natural and plastic fibres, clothing brands and washing machine filters, alter fibre emissions and ecological impacts. This will enable protocols to improve products and t ....Clothes, fibres and filters that reduce pollution by micro and nano debris. This project aims to provide scientifically verified methods to avoid, intercept and redesign products that cause the most abundant type of marine plastic pollution – clothing fibres - which has increased by over 450% in 60 years. It will determine how natural and plastic fibres, clothing brands and washing machine filters, alter fibre emissions and ecological impacts. This will enable protocols to improve products and the environment, and reduce health risks that will benefit the public, government regulation and companies in designing "eco-friendly" products.Read moreRead less
Pre-industrial sea-surface temperatures in the Australian region. Humanity faces an enormous challenge as there is much debate on whether the world is warming up and when this started. This project will document sea-surface temperature records over the last millennium for the Australian region and provide data of critical importance to global climatology and oceanography that precede the instrumental record.