Minimising Plastic In The Western Rock Lobster Industry (Phase 1 – Scope And Identify)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$72,525.00
Summary
It was recently noted (in FISH Magazine Volume 27-1) that:
“Recent studies have estimated that approximately eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every year. This contributes to the deaths of the marine animals that become entangled. Plastic can also find its way into the stomachs of seabirds, sea mammals, fish and other marine life, affecting the entire food chain. The attributes of plastic that make it so attractive as a material, including its durability, ....It was recently noted (in FISH Magazine Volume 27-1) that:
“Recent studies have estimated that approximately eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every year. This contributes to the deaths of the marine animals that become entangled. Plastic can also find its way into the stomachs of seabirds, sea mammals, fish and other marine life, affecting the entire food chain. The attributes of plastic that make it so attractive as a material, including its durability, are also the attributes that make it so dangerous and long-lived. Products might break down, but the plastic itself remains in the environment. Greenpeace researchers have found plastics in water and snow samples in areas as remote as Antarctica.
CSIRO research has identified that almost three-quarters of the rubbish on Australia’s coastline is plastic, and that it comes from Australian sources. Research from the Australian Institute of Marine Science has also reported widespread microplastic contamination of waters in north-western Australia. More recently, a study of juvenile Coral Trout from the Great Barrier Reef has identified that tropical fish are ingesting both plastic and non-plastic marine microdebris (particles of less than five millimetres).”
WRL’s vision (as noted in its Strategic Plan 2018-2021) is to be “an iconic global leader in sustainable fisheries management, with one of its strategic objectives to “ensure long term access to the sustainable resource”. WRL continually strives to improve its sustainability practices for the western rock lobster industry, with practices with the ability to transfer to and assist other fisheries being particularly attractive. The research developed through this project will allow greater knowledge and understanding of:
(1) how and where plastic is used within the western rock lobster industry; and (2) viable and environmentally friendly alternatives to the plastic currently in use. This will form the basis for Phase 2 of this project, which will allow for the development, trial and implementation of plastic alternatives to combat and reduce the harm to the marine environment, and ultimately lead to a more sustainable fishery.
Objectives: 1. Identify where and why plastic is used in the western rock lobster industry. 2. Identify viable environmentally friendly plastic alternatives. Read moreRead less
Dynamic assessment of threats to marine megafauna in face of global change. This project aims to develop a global approach to synthesise global tracking datasets and deliver near real-time diagnostics on risks for marine megafauna at a global scale pushing forward a new frontier in dynamic marine spatial management to improve conservation. This project expects to increase our understanding of how marine megafauna movements vary with environmental changes and how much they overlap with threatenin ....Dynamic assessment of threats to marine megafauna in face of global change. This project aims to develop a global approach to synthesise global tracking datasets and deliver near real-time diagnostics on risks for marine megafauna at a global scale pushing forward a new frontier in dynamic marine spatial management to improve conservation. This project expects to increase our understanding of how marine megafauna movements vary with environmental changes and how much they overlap with threatening global human activities. Expected outcomes will demonstrate how big data in marine telemetry can be synthesised and translated into ecologically significant behaviours. This should provide significant benefits to address global scientific and societal problems highlighted in the Australian science and research priorities.Read moreRead less
Bursary To Attend The 2022 Microplastics And Seafood: Human Health Symposium In The United Kingdom - Erik Poole
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$5,289.96
Summary
Attend an international microplastics symposium in Edinburgh. Engage with leading scientists on this emerging issue and understand more about the risks involved. Gathering the latest information and research will allow the Australian seafood industry to be better prepared for the risks, including but not limited to; Misinformation, misrepresented science and other related campaigns that may affect the healthy credentials of our industry and its products. Objectives: 1. Attend the ....Attend an international microplastics symposium in Edinburgh. Engage with leading scientists on this emerging issue and understand more about the risks involved. Gathering the latest information and research will allow the Australian seafood industry to be better prepared for the risks, including but not limited to; Misinformation, misrepresented science and other related campaigns that may affect the healthy credentials of our industry and its products. Objectives: 1. Attend the 'Microplastics and Seafood; Human Health Symposium' in the United Kingdom 2. To produce a ‘Critical Review Paper’ addressing microplastics in seafood and impact on human health to provide a potential roadmap for additional research and identify communication strategies for the seafood industry Read moreRead less
Australian Council Of Prawn Fishers Industry Partnership Agreement - Environment RD&E Program
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,103,000.00
Summary
Australia's commitment to 30% of marine protected area by 2030 in response to global concern about ocean health has focussed scrutiny directly on Australia's commercial net fishing sector. The handling of the Macquarie Island Marine Park announcement followed by the closure of gill net fishing in Qld in 2023 and marine protection proposals in WA have all challenged the commercial fishing sector's reliance on objective, risk based, scientific fisheries management and resource allocation. The fo ....Australia's commitment to 30% of marine protected area by 2030 in response to global concern about ocean health has focussed scrutiny directly on Australia's commercial net fishing sector. The handling of the Macquarie Island Marine Park announcement followed by the closure of gill net fishing in Qld in 2023 and marine protection proposals in WA have all challenged the commercial fishing sector's reliance on objective, risk based, scientific fisheries management and resource allocation. The focus on the commercial fishing sector appears incongruous to Australia’s effectiveness addressing greater impacts on coastal and marine health as identified in the five yearly Statement of Environment reports.
Australia's prawn trawl sector must continue its front-footed environmental stewardship actions to address Net Zero targets and the proposed Nature Positive Act. The ACPF must now build on its transparent community engagement activity with further investment as evidence of the sector's priorities. The ACPF's concerted community engagement activity commenced under FRDC Project 2018/172 and continued under the ACPF's 2021-2026 Community Engagement Plan. The sector must continue to actively reduce trawl impact at the same time as demonstrate its outstanding sustainability credentials as a food supplier.
The project invests within the scope of the FRDC's Environment Program with delivery into Communities, People, Adoption and Industry Programs. The project delivers on the following ACPF RD&E strategic activities against ACPF's Strategic Goals:
Strategic activity: Reduce impacts of fishing on bycatch and the marine environment (and continue to identify environmental risks to natural resource access). ACPF + cross-jurisdiction. (Delivering against Goal 1: Sustainability; Ecological. Goal 2: Stewardship marine resources. Goal 5: Society and Consumers trust, respect and value.)
Strategic activity: Co-investment opportunities in ecosystem health, climate change, carbon footprint. (Delivering against Goal 2: Stewardship of marine and aquatic environments)
Strategic activity: Best practice/Responsible fishing practices communication. (Delivering against Goal 2: Stewardship of marine and aquatic environments)
Strategic activity: Profile RD&E addressing social licence risks. (Delivering against Goal 1: Sustainability; Social. Goal 2: Stewardship marine resources and aquatic environments. Goal 3. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking. Goal 4. Fair, equitable and secure access. Goal 5: Society and Consumers trust, respect and value.)
The project proposes to collate baseline data, invests in trawl impact RD&E, invests in nature positive initiatives across the environment metrics of the ESG framework and communicates all in a way that engages identified audiences.
The project will contain subprojects which will be identified and scoped in line with the overarching project strategy. Applications for subprojects will be sought using a range of mechanisms - competitive applications, direct or select tender as recommended by the project's steering committee (industry representatives, FRDC, an eNGO and a technical expert). Subprojects seeking national funding must demonstrate Return on Investment to a significant proportion of the sector. Subprojects will be contracted by the ACPF and report deliverables to the FRDC.
Co-investment will be sought from stakeholder partners and/or made by the project into externally managed projects. Objectives: 1. Australian wild prawn sector is Ecologically, Economically and Socially sustainable through pursuing low impact, fuel efficient and financially viable prawn trawl gear technology 2. Australian wild prawn sector plays a critical lead role in the stewardship of our marine resources seeking partnership with stakeholders 3. Through strategic co-investment to address threats on the horizon, the Australian wild prawn sector invests in new innovation that enables fair, equitable and secure access to marine resources 4. Australian society and consumers trust, respect and value the Australian wild prawn sector and its product achieved via its stewardship 5. The Australian wild prawn sector's people are equipped to adapt to climate challenges and the environmental performance standards required of all marine users Read moreRead less
Probing the Australian-Pacific plate boundary: Macquarie Ridge in 3-D. This project aims to advance understanding of the Australia-Pacific plate boundary - the Macquarie Ridge Complex - in the Southern Ocean.
It will be the first study to elucidate the processes generating the world's largest submarine earthquakes not associated with active subduction, which may lead to understanding of how subduction initiates, the mechanism of earthquakes occurring at convergent margins, and more accurate est ....Probing the Australian-Pacific plate boundary: Macquarie Ridge in 3-D. This project aims to advance understanding of the Australia-Pacific plate boundary - the Macquarie Ridge Complex - in the Southern Ocean.
It will be the first study to elucidate the processes generating the world's largest submarine earthquakes not associated with active subduction, which may lead to understanding of how subduction initiates, the mechanism of earthquakes occurring at convergent margins, and more accurate estimates of earthquake and tsunami potential.
This study will put Australia at the forefront of Earth Science research into the evolution of tectonic plates and has the potential to better inform hazard assessment efforts in the region, benefiting policy-makers and at–risk communities along the Australia coastline.Read moreRead less
Ecosystem resilience of Shark Bay under changing ocean climate. This project aims to investigate the resilience of the Shark Bay World Heritage Site to projected climate change. This project will generate new knowledge for marine conservation through analyses of habitat loss on nutrient budgets and productivity in seagrass and microbialite ecosystems. Expected outcomes are an improved understanding of climate-driven shifts on ecosystem processes in Shark Bay, incorporating science-based evidence ....Ecosystem resilience of Shark Bay under changing ocean climate. This project aims to investigate the resilience of the Shark Bay World Heritage Site to projected climate change. This project will generate new knowledge for marine conservation through analyses of habitat loss on nutrient budgets and productivity in seagrass and microbialite ecosystems. Expected outcomes are an improved understanding of climate-driven shifts on ecosystem processes in Shark Bay, incorporating science-based evidence for better conservation and management. This will provide significant benefits by contributing to the future-proofing of Shark Bay’s World Heritage values to climate change, and more broadly by demonstrating the consequences of the continued tropicalisation of Australia’s coastline.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
Using Multiple Values To Inform The Management Of Australian Marine Partially Protected Areas
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$280,411.00
Summary
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a primary tool for conservation and protection of marine habitats and their associated marine life. However, 69% of MPAs are partially open to some form of fishing activity, either recreational or commercial (Turnbull, et al., 2021). In Australia, which has the second largest MPA network in the world, 75% of the total MPA area is partially protected (Roberts et al., 2020). While these partially protected areas (PPAs) provide economic and social benefits, this co ....Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a primary tool for conservation and protection of marine habitats and their associated marine life. However, 69% of MPAs are partially open to some form of fishing activity, either recreational or commercial (Turnbull, et al., 2021). In Australia, which has the second largest MPA network in the world, 75% of the total MPA area is partially protected (Roberts et al., 2020). While these partially protected areas (PPAs) provide economic and social benefits, this comes at the cost of reduced conservation benefits. Hence, the implementation of PPAs as a management tool to safeguard habitat and aquatic resources is underpinned by a tension to balance environmental, economic, and social values of multiple users.
Managing this balance requires that resource managers are cognisant of these diverse user values, and have an appropriate management framework to ensure that decision making results in socially optimal outcomes where possible. Decision making that does not considered these multi-user values can result in undesirable trade-offs, adverse environmental impacts, unnecessary complexity, ineffectiveness of management, inefficiency in resource use, social conflict and increased costs.
From the FRDC R&D priorities, access to aquatic resources, guided by good management, is fundamental for the continued delivery of economic and social benefits such as food, income, employment, recreation and cultural identity for all Australians. Optimising these benefits means sharing resources fairly using open and evidence-based processes within the limits of sustainability. As a first step to developing optimal multi-user management, there is a need to first review, and where possible, quantify the multiple values (environmental, economic, and social) that are attained through the implementation of PPAs.
Roberts, K. E., Hill, O., Cook, C. N. (2020). Evaluating perceptions of marine protection in Australia: Does policy match public expectation? Marine Policy 112: 103766 Turnbull, J. W., Johnston, E. L., Clark, G. F. (2021). Evaluating the social and ecological effectiveness of partially protected marine areas. Conservation Biology 35: 921-932.
Objectives: 1. Undertake a review of existing literature on values of partially protected areas, including a review of different frameworks in which the environmental, social and economic values can be incorporated for management decision making 2. Assess the key environmental, social and economic values and their trade-offs in the use of partially protected areas, based on two case studies 3. Identify how understanding these values can assist management decision making when implementing marine parks more broadly in Australia Read moreRead less
The Multiple Values Attained Through Partially Protected Areas
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$227,634.86
Summary
In Australia, the definition, and objectives of partially protected areas (PPAs) in the marine environment are inconsistent across jurisdictions. Some examples of PPAs in Australia include spatial or temporal closures to commercial fishing; ‘special-use’ or ‘multi-use’ zones within marine protected areas; and marine zones where recreational fishing is allowed for specific species.
The implementation of such areas is underpinned by a tension to balance the environmental, economic, and s ....In Australia, the definition, and objectives of partially protected areas (PPAs) in the marine environment are inconsistent across jurisdictions. Some examples of PPAs in Australia include spatial or temporal closures to commercial fishing; ‘special-use’ or ‘multi-use’ zones within marine protected areas; and marine zones where recreational fishing is allowed for specific species.
The implementation of such areas is underpinned by a tension to balance the environmental, economic, and social values of multiple users, and multiple objectives of such areas. In turn, resource managers require systematic knowledge of these diverse user values to consider them in decision making and ensure mutually beneficial outcomes wherever possible.
Within Australia, a wide range and combination of such regulations are applied in both Commonweath and State-managed waters, but there is limited understanding of associated effectiveness and implementation of PPAs relative to their stated goals.
Consultation with key stakeholders in Parks Australia, ABARES, DPIPWE (Tasmania), Parks Victoria, and researchers recently working in Fisheries NSW, highlighted the requirement to create an inventory of current PPAs, and where possible, quantify the multiple benefits (environmental, economic, and social) currently attained through PPAs to provide resource managers with evidence-based tools to implement appropriate marine zoning policies.
Recent analyses have suggested there is no benefit to the introduction of specific types of PPAs along the New South Wales coastline (Turnbull et al. 2021) and we will build on the results of this study to quantitatively understand whether these results are representative for all PPAs in Australian and Commonwealth-managed waters.
This project will review definitions of the main objectives for PPAs across Australia and characterise their implementation across Australia. We will then quantify the extent to which specific types of PPAs achieve their stated goals and use the results to develop evidence-based decision support tools, in conjunction with marine resource managers, to facilitate effective implementation of appropriate marine policies. Objectives: 1. Review definitions of environmental, economic and social objectives for partially protected marine areas across Australia. 2. Characterise partially protected area (PPA) implementation across Australia. 3. Analyse to what extent PPAs achieve their stated goals and allow for fair access to marine resources. 4. Develop quantitative decision support tools suitable for resource managers to evaluate PPA implementation strategies. Read moreRead less