Collaborative Partnership For Farming And Fishing Health And Safety
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
About 150 persons die from non–intentional injury each year on Australian farms. Between 300 and 350 male farmers and farm workers die a traumatic death from all causes each year. The mortality rate in Australian farming is approximately four times that of the all-industries rated (19.5 per 100,000 employees compared to 5.5 per 100,000 employees) (Durey and Lower, 2004). The rate of workers compensation claims from agriculture, forestry and fishing in 2001-2002 was 27 per thousand employees ....About 150 persons die from non–intentional injury each year on Australian farms. Between 300 and 350 male farmers and farm workers die a traumatic death from all causes each year. The mortality rate in Australian farming is approximately four times that of the all-industries rated (19.5 per 100,000 employees compared to 5.5 per 100,000 employees) (Durey and Lower, 2004). The rate of workers compensation claims from agriculture, forestry and fishing in 2001-2002 was 27 per thousand employees. There are about 4,500 claims each year made by workers in the agricultural and horticultural industries. Also self employed farmers are not obliged to report injuries so that the incidence reported may be an underestimate. In the four years 1989-1992 a total of 55 people were fatally injured while involved in work related fishing industries (NOHSC, 1999). Between 1991 and 2001 a total of 16 professional fishermen drowned as a result of falling or being washed from commercial fishing vessels in Victorian waters. Available statistics indicate that there is a higher rate of suicide among rural populations generally, and farmers in particular. For example, in the period 1988 to 1997, 921 suicides were identified for farm managers and agricultural labourers (Page & Fragar, 2002). The ABS reports that between 1988 and 1998, the suicide rate was up to 17 per 100,000 persons per year in rural areas, compared to 12-13 per 100,000 in the capital cities. The health status and determinants of health (e.g. death rates, income etc) are generally worse in rural and remote areas than in metropolitan areas. There is a need to identify factors that contribute to this discrepancy, particularly as it is likely to apply to farmers and fishers. There is a prevailing opinion that many farm and fishing injuries and deaths are preventable.
Objectives: 1. To improve the physical health of farming and fishing workers and their families 2. To improve the mental health of farming and fishing families 3. To improve the safety environment and work practices in farming and fishing industries Read moreRead less
RFIDS: Identifying The Health And Well-being Benefits Of Recreational Fishing
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$29,459.89
Summary
Recreational fishing is a form of outdoor recreation providing physiological, psychological and social benefits to the community. These benefits, while widely recognised, are inherently difficult to identify and quantify. This project will collate research efforts, initiatives and programs currently underway in Australia around the topic of recreational fishing, health and well-being. This investigation will increase understanding of the health and well-being benefits derived from recreational f ....Recreational fishing is a form of outdoor recreation providing physiological, psychological and social benefits to the community. These benefits, while widely recognised, are inherently difficult to identify and quantify. This project will collate research efforts, initiatives and programs currently underway in Australia around the topic of recreational fishing, health and well-being. This investigation will increase understanding of the health and well-being benefits derived from recreational fishing for different community sectors and stages of life. Determination of the health and well-being benefits to communities from recreational fishing will allow for consideration of these factors in allocation of resources. As an outdoor pursuit that can be enjoyed throughout life, it is important that the recreational fishing sector is recognised for promotion of well-being. Factors requiring consideration include a positive impact on mental health, perceived well-being, prevention of chronic disease and associated reductions in health care burden. These and other factors need to be considered for the true value of recreational fishing to be recognised. Recreational fishing is one of the few outdoor recreational activites that can be enjoyed at almost any age regrardless of skill, experieince or disability. Outcomes of Australian Institute of Criminology research investigating sport, physical activity and antisocial behaviour in youth, as well as international efforts such as the UK 'Get Hooked on Fishing' initiative aimed at providing diversions for youth from antisocial behaviour, will be included in the final analysis. This project represents a first step in consolidating the value of recreational fishing across Australia.
Objectives: 1. Identify current research activities and programs in Australia relating to recreational fishing and health or well-being. 2. Investigate the impact of recreational fishing on the health and well-being of Australian Society Read moreRead less
To Develop A National Marine Safety Extension Resource Toolkit And To Trial With All Fisheries Jurisdictions
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
There have been significant resources (financial and physical) allocated to workplace health and safety (including mental health, training and systems for data collection) over the last 15 years in the commercial fishing industry .However the majority have been “stand alone" and there has been limited extension for the wider industry to adopt. Although there have been some positive moves in the area of health and safety such as the SRL Clean Green program and the Spencer Gulf Prawn fishery, ther ....There have been significant resources (financial and physical) allocated to workplace health and safety (including mental health, training and systems for data collection) over the last 15 years in the commercial fishing industry .However the majority have been “stand alone" and there has been limited extension for the wider industry to adopt. Although there have been some positive moves in the area of health and safety such as the SRL Clean Green program and the Spencer Gulf Prawn fishery, there has largely been a “silo” approach to the various initiatives across the commercial fishing industry and a real lack of coordination that can lead to a lack of communication, adoption and the lack of visibility of tools to those that need it. This is due in part to the nature of the industry that tends (overall) not to have the willingness to adopt something that another fishery has implemented, fragmentation of industry in some states and within a fishery. Additionally, the absence of a peak national body until June 2017 also created a gap for driving nationwide issues including workplace safety and health initiatives. Through the building of these networks and the establishment of on the ground champion in each state to influence industry including the building of capacity/ resources within the peak bodies to embrace workplace health and safety on behalf of their members, improved awareness and adoption of safety programs should occur. To do this State peak bodies require support to enable them to add value for their members and therefore utilise existing and currently funded research and develop extension processes.It is unknown to what level industry uptake of the current AMSA requirements for a safety management system (SMS) has occurred. It is not well understood by industry that the existence of a SMS to meet AMSA requirements only goes half way for legal compliance. Each states Worksafe body also has legislation that requires compliance with safe work practices. It is desirable to produce a SMS that meets both sets of legislation and develop a tool that can be used to assess the uptake of the initiatives through the peak bodies as well as developing a robust set of statistics to benchmark the performance. Objectives: 1. To build capability in each jurisdiction industry council for the development of a safety management system toolkit based on gear type/fishery type for implementation across industry 2. To develop processes to ensure existing and future projects including LMS ( 2017-194) and Barriers to Adoption ( 2017-046) are integrated into objective 1 above 4. To develop a national “champions” network for workplace/ marine safety to assist jurisdictional bodies communicate and champion the safety message 5. To ensure current and previous marine safety RD&E projects are linked and collaborate effectively to achieve increased levels of extension 6. To develop a tool and estimate wild catch fisheries accident statistics ( historical) and to provide a system and a benchmark to measure future performance of accident statistics Read moreRead less
Social Science Research Coordination Program: Identifying, Communicating And Integrating Social Considerations Into Future Management Concerns In Inshore Fisheries In Coastal Queensland
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,000.00
Summary
This study documents the needs and concerns of fishers and their families in Queensland coastal regions to expand the corpus of knowledge about fishing as an industry, for the sake of informing government of social impacts, and to incorporate local social considerations into current and future management plans. The study focuses on how fisheries policies impact on fishers and their families socially and culturally, and how these groups negotiate and respond to political, market and ecologically ....This study documents the needs and concerns of fishers and their families in Queensland coastal regions to expand the corpus of knowledge about fishing as an industry, for the sake of informing government of social impacts, and to incorporate local social considerations into current and future management plans. The study focuses on how fisheries policies impact on fishers and their families socially and culturally, and how these groups negotiate and respond to political, market and ecologically driven management measures. It is significant as it brings together important but little researched aspects of the impact of management decisions on fishers, families and communities. Research is crucial to understand the social legacy of those decisions on the social wellbeing of fishing communities, including the health and quality of life of fishers, families, and those involved in fisheries-related businesses.
Understanding the social costs of policy decisions can help mitigate harmful physical and mental health outcomes, a situation of critical significance to rural, state and national economies. Fishing families and communities are important; they provide substantial regional employment and income to local economies; they underpin the social fabric of many coastal regions which display a strong fishing cultural heritage and are substantial contributors to the social and economic viability of rural communities. However, their ability to weather the social and economic stressors of closures, especially at times of increasing global fisheries pressures, has received limited attention. Few studies have been conducted on the way fishers and their families perceive and value their status as fishers, and how their worldview influences their quality of life, social wellbeing, and their attitudes towards place and the marine environment. Our findings will be of direct use to policy developers in adopting intrinsic measures for social impact assessment, and in integrating local knowledge into future social impact assessments.
Objectives: 1. To examine and compare the attitudes, values and experiences of those involved in viable and vulnerable fisheries, both inshore and offshore, and those fishers and their families who have left the industry; 2. To identify the social and cultural impacts, examining wellbeing, quality of life outcomes and social resilience as a result of fishing closures and fishing effort rationalisation; 3. To examine adjustments in households amongst fishers and spouses; 4. To investigate the ways in which fishers, their families and local communities are adapting to social, economic and ecological change. Read moreRead less
People Development Program: Primary Industries Health And Safety Collaborative Partnership 2012-2015
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
About 150 persons die from non–intentional injury each year on Australian farms. Between 300 and 350 male farmers and farm workers die a traumatic death from all causes each year. The mortality rate in Australian farming is approximately four times that of the all-industries rated (19.5 per 100,000 employees compared to 5.5 per 100,000 employees) (Durey and Lower, 2004). The rate of workers compensation claims from agriculture, forestry and fishing in 2001-2002 was 27 per thousand employees ....About 150 persons die from non–intentional injury each year on Australian farms. Between 300 and 350 male farmers and farm workers die a traumatic death from all causes each year. The mortality rate in Australian farming is approximately four times that of the all-industries rated (19.5 per 100,000 employees compared to 5.5 per 100,000 employees) (Durey and Lower, 2004). The rate of workers compensation claims from agriculture, forestry and fishing in 2001-2002 was 27 per thousand employees. There are about 4,500 claims each year made by workers in the agricultural and horticultural industries. Also self employed farmers are not obliged to report injuries so that the incidence reported may be an underestimate. In the four years 1989-1992 a total of 55 people were fatally injured while involved in work related fishing industries (NOHSC, 1999). Between 1991 and 2001 a total of 16 professional fishermen drowned as a result of falling or being washed from commercial fishing vessels in Victorian waters. Available statistics indicate that there is a higher rate of suicide among rural populations generally, and farmers in particular. For example, in the period 1988 to 1997, 921 suicides were identified for farm managers and agricultural labourers (Page & Fragar, 2002). The ABS reports that between 1988 and 1998, the suicide rate was up to 17 per 100,000 persons per year in rural areas, compared to 12-13 per 100,000 in the capital cities. The health status and determinants of health (e.g. death rates, income etc) are generally worse in rural and remote areas than in metropolitan areas. There is a need to identify factors that contribute to this discrepancy, particularly as it is likely to apply to farmers and fishers. There is a prevailing opinion that many farm and fishing injuries and deaths are preventable.
Lack of awareness of occupational health and safety, and a culture of safety, still fails to be effectively dealt with across all States of Australia. The OHS data identifies that the commercial fishing industry has rates of claims that are average for the overall Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry sector, but that claims for fatal injuries in aquaculture and non fatal in marine (or wild capture) fisheries are both increasing relative to employment. The most ‘at risk’ group in the industry are those between the age of 20 to 24 years, with those aged 45 – 54 years being the next most at risk group, and will receive injuries from non powered hand tools, to their upper bodies Objectives: 1. Develop supporting information and data to continue to deliver well-targeted and effective research and extension projects. 2. Change the health and safety culture to enhance farming, fishing and forestry competitiveness and the wellbeing of the families and communities involved. 3. Provide solutions through R&D for key industry health and safety risks. Read moreRead less
People Development Program: WINSC Annual Conference Sponsorship
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$49,500.00
Summary
The need exists to bring together WINSC members from wide geographical and demographic spheres as well as from a diverse range of women involved in the Australasian Seafood Industry to hold an annual conference and AGM to build the capacity of its seafood women to contribute to their industry.
Objectives: 1. Organise and conduct a successful annual conference
The Progression Of Abalone Fishery Performance Indicators
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$30,000.00
Summary
The FRDC has requested the development with respect to abalone of “an application that takes a national approach to management strategy evaluation development and implementation. This should include economic, environmental, social and governance indicators.” In order to achieve this a workshop is proposed that brings together representatives from Industry, Management and Research from the abalone producing States plus other invited experts in abalone and management strategy evaluation.
The FRDC has requested the development with respect to abalone of “an application that takes a national approach to management strategy evaluation development and implementation. This should include economic, environmental, social and governance indicators.” In order to achieve this a workshop is proposed that brings together representatives from Industry, Management and Research from the abalone producing States plus other invited experts in abalone and management strategy evaluation.
There are R&D initiatives in most Australian fisheries and NZ to collect finer scale and more comprehensive data about abalone populations and fishing. These initiatives are also highlighted in the “Harvest Optimisation” and “Sustainability and Environment” investment platforms of the ACA Strategic Plan, within several Objectives including to “Establish management tools and models that enable targeted harvesting of fish to optimise market returns”. It is not yet clear how or what finer scale data will be used to generate the most informative fishery Performance Indicators, although MSE will provide the structure to assess this.
To maximize the value of outcomes from the proposed Workshop, the ACA needs to focus on the strategic direction of finer scale data collection, its incorporation into fishery Performance Indicators and their assessment through techniques such as MSE. Such a focus would allow the ACA to participate in the Workshop with a clear plan for R&D investment in these important directions. Objectives: 1. Determine R&D requirements relating to appropriate performance measures and indicators and the modelling of these measures and indicators; 2. Identify available data, and the relevance of current research; 3. Assess the commitment of management to move towards finer scale spatial management; and the associated performance measures and indicators for this shift in management; 4. Identify and assess the utility of different performance indicators and the methodology for assessment against future management needs; 5. Develop an application that takes a national approach to management strategy evaluation development and implementation. This should include economic, environmental, social and governance indicators. 6. Evaluate hierarchical approaches to application of PI for abalone fishery assessment 7. Provide a range of performance indicators to Haddon et al for testing within the MSE framework Read moreRead less
Evaluating Rotational Harvest Strategies For Sea Cucumber Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$114,379.00
Summary
This project addresses directly a stated need in the QFRAC priorities "Determine safe levels of depletion for broadcast spawners such as sea cucumber, quantifying the effectiveness of the time limited rotational zoning fishing strategy that is currently in place." Currently, a Rotational Harvest Strategy (RHS) is a key harvest strategy to address a perceived risk of localised depletion for the EC beche-de-mer fishery. It was initiated and designed by Industry, but has never been tested. This fi ....This project addresses directly a stated need in the QFRAC priorities "Determine safe levels of depletion for broadcast spawners such as sea cucumber, quantifying the effectiveness of the time limited rotational zoning fishing strategy that is currently in place." Currently, a Rotational Harvest Strategy (RHS) is a key harvest strategy to address a perceived risk of localised depletion for the EC beche-de-mer fishery. It was initiated and designed by Industry, but has never been tested. This fishery is a high profile fishery for GBRMPA and has the only fishery species closed in the GBR Marine Park (Black teatfish). Assessing the utility and optimal configuration of the RHS for mitigating localised depletion, reducing risks to overall sustainability and maximising efficiency and profits of this multispecies fishery is of interest to GBRMPA, Qld Fisheries management, other State (NT and WA) and Federal (Coral Sea, Torres Strait) fisheries, and Industry. Objectives: 1. Assess the efficacy of current and alternative harvest strategies, including the Rotational Harvest Strategy (RHS), for mitigating local and population depletion risk in the Qld EC Beche-de-mer fishery. Read moreRead less
Staying Healthy: Industry Organisations’ Influence On Behaviours And Services Used By Fishers
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$98,308.00
Summary
Research has found that fishers are subject to a multitude of stressors, including those relating to government policies and co-management challenges, a fluctuating market place, crew cohesion and on-shore social relationships, and the pressures of working in a dangerous workplace. Compounding the well-known physical dangers associated with the fishing industry, these factors all place pressure on fisher mental wellbeing, which in turn contributes to issues such as clinically diagnosed anxiety d ....Research has found that fishers are subject to a multitude of stressors, including those relating to government policies and co-management challenges, a fluctuating market place, crew cohesion and on-shore social relationships, and the pressures of working in a dangerous workplace. Compounding the well-known physical dangers associated with the fishing industry, these factors all place pressure on fisher mental wellbeing, which in turn contributes to issues such as clinically diagnosed anxiety disorders, poor eating habits and substance abuse, eg, evidence from around the world suggests that the particular stresses of fishing contribute to higher than average rates of smoking among fishers. Findings from the RIRDC-funded project Staying Healthy: Behaviours and services used by farmers and fishers indicate that while participants from certain farming industry areas have benefited from industry involvement in health and wellbeing, including in relation to mental health, fishers are less likely to report that industry associations have helped them access health and wellbeing information or programs. Some farmers described significant lifestyle changes after participating in programs that were promoted, sponsored or facilitated by trusted industry organisations. As well, recent research (Brooks, 2011, Health and Safety in the Australian Fishing Industry, RIRDC, Canberra) has found a lack of awareness of occupational health and safety among fishers. The Research Audit of Social Sciences Fisheries Research (Clarke, 2009) noted research findings that social wellbeing is related to financial wellbeing, and that social networking is negatively affected by working hours, suggesting a place for an industry specific approach to social connection and mental health. There appears to be a broking role for industry groups and organisations in enhancing the health of the fishing workforce. This project will identify strategies for industry and fishing community organisations to take on this role in effective, but cost and resource efficient, ways.
Objectives: 1. to explore how industry supports fisher physical health and mental wellbeing 2. to develop and trial a set of case studies and best practice guidelines for industry organisations in enhancing fisher health and wellbeing in collaboration with industry, fishing communities and health stakeholders 3. to evaluate the case studies and best practice guidelines Read moreRead less
Drawing Strength From Each Other: Simulation Testing Of Australia’s Abalone Harvest Strategies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$616,001.00
Summary
All Australian abalone harvest strategies use empirical approaches heavily supported by CPUE based indicators that reflect tensions between producing harvest strategies that work at both larger management scales and that account for local scale population dynamics. All harvest strategies apply a weight of evidence approach that is generally not clearly codified. However, the different harvest strategies lead to very disparate ways of setting catches, with some adjusting catch based on relative p ....All Australian abalone harvest strategies use empirical approaches heavily supported by CPUE based indicators that reflect tensions between producing harvest strategies that work at both larger management scales and that account for local scale population dynamics. All harvest strategies apply a weight of evidence approach that is generally not clearly codified. However, the different harvest strategies lead to very disparate ways of setting catches, with some adjusting catch based on relative performance of indicators, while others assume a direct relationship between CPUE and sustainable catch. These contrasting approaches have developed despite managing essentially the same group of species caught with the same gear type and from similar reef environments. This project will therefore test each of the presently used harvest strategies to draw out their strengths and weaknesses in a common platform.
Only the Victorian Western Zone and Tasmanian harvest strategies have been simulation tested. The MSE models used in each, due to funding and time constraints, have been developed in a way that means that portability across jurisdiction is time consuming and costly. As such, this project will address the need to write MSE code that will be usable for the future and in other jurisdictions. It will then test this code on two abalone stocks, one blacklip and one greenlip, to assist in this need for code generality. The final product will be freely available on a version control site such as GitHub with detailed guides on how it is best used.
Objectives: 1. Undertake Management Strategy Evaluation testing of each jurisdiction’s current abalone harvest strategies in Australia. 2. Contrast harvest strategy performance under a common dynamic range of stock types, with and without conflicting indicators 3. Provide guidance on what constitutes best approaches to using empirical abalone harvest strategies 4. Provide fully documented open-source R package for other MSE expert’s use 5. Provide advice on how best to include additional indicators Read moreRead less