Fish Jenga: metapopulation management for coastal river fish. This project aims to address the escalating threats to coastal freshwater fish from drought, fire, and other disturbances. The project expects to generate new knowledge on contemporary distributions of NSW coastal freshwater fishes, and will develop models of population dynamics to explore the consequences of alternative water management and disturbance scenarios. The expected outcome of the project is to revolutionise management by r ....Fish Jenga: metapopulation management for coastal river fish. This project aims to address the escalating threats to coastal freshwater fish from drought, fire, and other disturbances. The project expects to generate new knowledge on contemporary distributions of NSW coastal freshwater fishes, and will develop models of population dynamics to explore the consequences of alternative water management and disturbance scenarios. The expected outcome of the project is to revolutionise management by replacing the current practice of managing river basins separately, with a framework that accounts for among-basin linkages that are essential for the long-term persistence of fish populations. Significant benefits include more efficient use of water resources and improved conservation outcomes for native fish.Read moreRead less
Environmental and behavioural approaches for parasite resistant aquaculture. In modern fish aquaculture, parasite infections threaten efficient production. Ecological problems also arise when fish farms amplify parasite populations and cause outbreaks in surrounding wild fish populations. Present control methods rarely integrate the behaviour of the host fish. This project aims to assess the behaviours of hosts and the mechanisms that lead to parasite outbreaks. It will develop behavioural appro ....Environmental and behavioural approaches for parasite resistant aquaculture. In modern fish aquaculture, parasite infections threaten efficient production. Ecological problems also arise when fish farms amplify parasite populations and cause outbreaks in surrounding wild fish populations. Present control methods rarely integrate the behaviour of the host fish. This project aims to assess the behaviours of hosts and the mechanisms that lead to parasite outbreaks. It will develop behavioural approaches that separate host and parasite, reduce infection, and altering host behaviour to improve the effectiveness of treatments and minimise their environmental impacts. This project aims to create novel methods to control parasites in ways that limit their ability to evolve resistance.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100069
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,312.00
Summary
Integrating food and nutrition into fisheries and aquaculture management. The project aims to provide knowledge to improve food systems, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, through fisheries and aquaculture. Food and health outcomes are not well-integrated into fisheries and aquaculture policy or management, despite global expectations that aquatic foods will help address current and anticipated food system challenges. Expected outcomes include new knowledge on implementing food- ....Integrating food and nutrition into fisheries and aquaculture management. The project aims to provide knowledge to improve food systems, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, through fisheries and aquaculture. Food and health outcomes are not well-integrated into fisheries and aquaculture policy or management, despite global expectations that aquatic foods will help address current and anticipated food system challenges. Expected outcomes include new knowledge on implementing food- and nutrition-based management objectives in fisheries and aquaculture, and methods to measure benefits in different national contexts. Outcomes should increase capability to manage fisheries and aquaculture to improve human health through diets while achieving environmental, economic and other socially positive outcomes.Read moreRead less
Striking Gold - Determining the genetics of gold skin colour in barramundi. Barramundi is one of Australia’s finest eating table fish and the species is gaining global prominence. However, fillet flesh colour of Australian farmed barramundi exhibit greyish tones which lowers consumer acceptance compared to other white flesh fish and imported product. Barramundi with rare golden skin tones do not exhibit this flesh "greyness" and are therefore a valuable niche product to farm if they can be produ ....Striking Gold - Determining the genetics of gold skin colour in barramundi. Barramundi is one of Australia’s finest eating table fish and the species is gaining global prominence. However, fillet flesh colour of Australian farmed barramundi exhibit greyish tones which lowers consumer acceptance compared to other white flesh fish and imported product. Barramundi with rare golden skin tones do not exhibit this flesh "greyness" and are therefore a valuable niche product to farm if they can be produced in larger numbers. This project will elucidate the genetic basis and mechanism of expression behind the golden barramundi phenotype. In doing so, it will enable barramundi farmers to produce them at commercially relevant scales, providing them with a substantial competitive advantage in both domestic and global markets.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH210100014
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,996,503.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture Through Genetic Solutions. This project will deliver the genetic knowledge to instigate world-leading and highly productive breeding programs for five tropical aquaculture species (barramundi, pearl oyster, prawn, grouper and marine algae) in northern Australia. It will integrate cutting edge genetic and genomic approaches into innovative aquaculture enterprises and will establish a novel understanding of the genetic basis of disease resist ....ARC Research Hub for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture Through Genetic Solutions. This project will deliver the genetic knowledge to instigate world-leading and highly productive breeding programs for five tropical aquaculture species (barramundi, pearl oyster, prawn, grouper and marine algae) in northern Australia. It will integrate cutting edge genetic and genomic approaches into innovative aquaculture enterprises and will establish a novel understanding of the genetic basis of disease resistance and how the production environment interfaces with the bacterial microbiome, pathogens and water quality to cause disease. Outcomes will lead to increased productivity, international competitiveness, and lowered disease risk and significantly expand Australia's capacity in the aquaculture sector.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101924
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,798.00
Summary
Bolstering conservation outcomes by integrating human behavioural science. This project aims to determine how fisheries compliance can be improved with behavioural interventions. Poaching is the most tenacious problem hindering sustainable fisheries worldwide, yet efforts to reduce non-compliance often fail due to limited understanding of how to influence behaviour. This project will draw on key theories and methods from behavioural science to empirically assess how social norms interventions in ....Bolstering conservation outcomes by integrating human behavioural science. This project aims to determine how fisheries compliance can be improved with behavioural interventions. Poaching is the most tenacious problem hindering sustainable fisheries worldwide, yet efforts to reduce non-compliance often fail due to limited understanding of how to influence behaviour. This project will draw on key theories and methods from behavioural science to empirically assess how social norms interventions influence fisher compliance in a range of coral reef fisheries. This will significantly improve our understanding of how to lever psychological, social, and cultural dimensions to reduce poaching. Ultimately, this project will contribute practical guidance to influence behaviours in fisheries and other environmental contexts.Read moreRead less
Postgraduate Funding - Stock Structure And Connectivity Of Black Bream Including Implications For Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,000.00
Summary
Understanding the demographic characteristics, connectivity and stock structure of a fish species is crucial for identifying the appropriate scale and strategy for management.
Black bream is a slow growing and long-lived finfish species with reproduction confined to estuarine habitats. It is distributed in the estuaries and inshore marine waters of southern Australia, from central NSW to central west coast WA, including Tasmania. Throughout its broad distribution, black bream is thoug ....Understanding the demographic characteristics, connectivity and stock structure of a fish species is crucial for identifying the appropriate scale and strategy for management.
Black bream is a slow growing and long-lived finfish species with reproduction confined to estuarine habitats. It is distributed in the estuaries and inshore marine waters of southern Australia, from central NSW to central west coast WA, including Tasmania. Throughout its broad distribution, black bream is thought to be composed of a number of isolated spawning stocks, with limited evidence of movements between estuaries.
In SA, black bream supports important commercial fisheries, and is highly sought-after by recreational anglers. Most of the State-wide commercial catch is taken by the Lakes and Coorong Fishery (LCF) in the Coorong estuary, with smaller contributions taken by the Marine Scalefish Fishery. In 2016, the LCF for black bream, which was historically one of Australia’s most productive black bream fisheries, was classified as ‘overfished’. It is unknown whether this status is reflective of the broader population in SA waters, or if current management arrangements for the Coorong population, which are aimed to promote stock recovery, are adequate in terms of the spatial scale that they apply.
There is a need to understand the demography, connectivity and stock structure of black bream populations across southern Australia (SA, VIC and WA). This information will assist in identifying appropriate scales and strategies for management.
‘People development’ is one of several priorities identified in the FRDC’s RD&E Plan 2015-20. The proposed project will be undertaken by a high-performing student as a PhD project. The student will undertake applied research relevant to FRDC stakeholders (scientists, fishery managers, commercial, recreational and indigenous fishers) in SA, and gain industry experience by being co-supervised by scientists from SARDI. The project will increase fisheries science capacity in SA through training of the next generation of researchers.
Objectives: 1. Define the stock structure of black bream in southern Australia using a multi-methods approach incorporating genetics/genomics and otolith-based techniques 2. Review information on and determine how black bream respond to changing environmental conditions 3. Provide recommendations for fishery managers based on results of stock structure analyses 4. Increase fisheries science capacity in South Australia through training of the next generation of researchers Read moreRead less
Integrating Indigenous Fishing: Extending Adoption Pathways To Policy And Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$140,000.00
Summary
See Opportunities section Objectives: 1. Document the impediments and opportunities for Indigenous engagement and adoption of IRG project outputs across fisheries management jurisdictions in Australia. 2. Identify the priorities for Indigenous fishing in jurisdictions with a focus on the 5 IRG RD&E priorities. 3. Develop a report synthesizing the impediments, opportunities and priorities for Indigenous fishing engagement and adoption to guide future IRG investm .... See Opportunities section Objectives: 1. Document the impediments and opportunities for Indigenous engagement and adoption of IRG project outputs across fisheries management jurisdictions in Australia. 2. Identify the priorities for Indigenous fishing in jurisdictions with a focus on the 5 IRG RD&E priorities. 3. Develop a report synthesizing the impediments, opportunities and priorities for Indigenous fishing engagement and adoption to guide future IRG investment. 4. Develop a template for future IRG projects that will ensure engagement and adoption are maximized. 5. Professional development and capacity building of the Indigenous Principal Investigator and grow cultural awareness in wider participants. Read moreRead less
Integrating Indigenous Fishing: Extending Adoption Pathways To Policy And Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$140,000.00
Summary
See Opportunities section Objectives: 1. Document the impediments and opportunities for Indigenous engagement and adoption of IRG project outputs across fisheries management jurisdictions in Australia. 2. Identify the priorities for Indigenous fishing in jurisdictions with a focus on the 5 IRG RD&E priorities. 3. Develop a report synthesizing the impediments, opportunities and priorities for Indigenous fishing engagement and adoption to guide future IRG investm .... See Opportunities section Objectives: 1. Document the impediments and opportunities for Indigenous engagement and adoption of IRG project outputs across fisheries management jurisdictions in Australia. 2. Identify the priorities for Indigenous fishing in jurisdictions with a focus on the 5 IRG RD&E priorities. 3. Develop a report synthesizing the impediments, opportunities and priorities for Indigenous fishing engagement and adoption to guide future IRG investment. 4. Develop a template for future IRG projects that will ensure engagement and adoption are maximized. 5. Professional development and capacity building of the Indigenous Principal Investigator and grow cultural awareness in wider participants. Read moreRead less