Optimising seed sourcing for effective ecological restoration. This project aims to address the sourcing of native seed for ecological restoration under global change. The great demand for native seed to deliver ecological restoration provides a clear need and responsibility to use this seed as efficiently as possible. This project expects to develop detailed new knowledge that links plant and environmental genomics, plant physiology, seed and soil biology in embedded experiments at post-mining ....Optimising seed sourcing for effective ecological restoration. This project aims to address the sourcing of native seed for ecological restoration under global change. The great demand for native seed to deliver ecological restoration provides a clear need and responsibility to use this seed as efficiently as possible. This project expects to develop detailed new knowledge that links plant and environmental genomics, plant physiology, seed and soil biology in embedded experiments at post-mining rehabilitation sites. Expected outcomes include clear industry guidelines that refine seed sourcing strategies for ecological restoration for current and future climates. This should provide significant benefits for improved ecological restoration outcomes when using native seed today and into the future.Read moreRead less
Understanding and responding to online child sexual exploitation offenders. The development of online communication technologies has facilitated a growth in online child sexual exploitation over the past two decades. Using a data-linkage framework, this project aims to enhance understanding of online child sexual exploitation, the legal frameworks surrounding this issue, and the unique characteristics, risks and needs of online sexual offenders. Expected outcomes include increased knowledge to i ....Understanding and responding to online child sexual exploitation offenders. The development of online communication technologies has facilitated a growth in online child sexual exploitation over the past two decades. Using a data-linkage framework, this project aims to enhance understanding of online child sexual exploitation, the legal frameworks surrounding this issue, and the unique characteristics, risks and needs of online sexual offenders. Expected outcomes include increased knowledge to inform current law enforcement and sentencing practices and the development of risk assessment and intervention protocols for clinical use with online offenders. This should increase evidence-based practice with online sexual offenders and assist in preventing the sexual exploitation of children online and in the community.Read moreRead less
Rebuilding Abalone Populations To Limit Impacts Of The Spread Of Urchins, Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis And Other External Impacts
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$340,000.00
Summary
Local abalone populations can be severely depleted by a range of impacts, including loss of habitat from the spread of sea urchins, diseases such as AVG and Perkinsus, environmental change and theft. Many of these impacts have been increasing for over a decade, although impacts of sea urchins on abalone and reef habitats in the last 5 years have been spreading in eastern Victoria, and appear related to climate change. Similarly, impacts remain from the spread of AVG through western Victoria.Local abalone populations can be severely depleted by a range of impacts, including loss of habitat from the spread of sea urchins, diseases such as AVG and Perkinsus, environmental change and theft. Many of these impacts have been increasing for over a decade, although impacts of sea urchins on abalone and reef habitats in the last 5 years have been spreading in eastern Victoria, and appear related to climate change. Similarly, impacts remain from the spread of AVG through western Victoria.
There is evidence that production from commercial abalone fisheries continues to be reduced by the ongoing increase in external impacts to local abalone populations. While tools have been developed at a small-scale to help recover abalone populations, there is a strong need to investigate, implement and assess these at a larger scale to be able to minimise further impacts and recover productivity of abalone populations.
VicFRAB this year rated its highest priority to facilitate the investigation of translocating abalone to address declines caused by urchins and disease. Similarly, the NSW DPI strategic research plan identifies a priority to "determine methods to restore depleted reefs of abalone through techniques such as transplants, habitat rehabilitation and reseeding". The ACA Strategic Plan also details actions to plan and support remedial action to reduce the impact of pests, disease and theft on abalone.
The ongoing spread of impacts to local abalone populations is having a broad impact on shallow reef habitats. Small-scale research has demonstrated the potential of recovery techniques, but have not been implemented at a broad scale to actually attempt to recover lost productivity. This project will address the need to investigate the scaling up of recovery techniques, and their costs and long-term benefits, in an attempt to recovery lost productivity from abalone populations in south east Australia. Objectives: 1. Identify and prioritise sites and strategies for assessment to recover shallow reef habitat and productive abalone populations 2. Assess strategies for recovery of shallow reef habitats and productive abalone populations. 3. Develop a business plan to guide ongoing future actions and strategies to extend the project outputs and rebuild abalone populations. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100992
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,216.00
Summary
A novel epigenetic clock tool to conserve Australia’s threatened seabirds. The aim is to develop a novel epigenetic technique for the demographic assessment of long-lived seabirds, including albatrosses and petrels, for application to the conservation of 11 threatened species breeding across Australia. A major innovation will be an affordable and fieldwork-friendly technique to demographically fingerprint any population, ending the large amount of guesswork currently necessary in management. The ....A novel epigenetic clock tool to conserve Australia’s threatened seabirds. The aim is to develop a novel epigenetic technique for the demographic assessment of long-lived seabirds, including albatrosses and petrels, for application to the conservation of 11 threatened species breeding across Australia. A major innovation will be an affordable and fieldwork-friendly technique to demographically fingerprint any population, ending the large amount of guesswork currently necessary in management. The outcome is expected to enable (i) scientists and wildlife managers to impute the impact of threats and management activities on seabird populations, allowing quantitative scenario modelling, and (ii) stakeholders to analyse numerous threats and optimise management responses to these through research-based decision-making.Read moreRead less
Fisheries Biology Of Short-spined Sea Urchins (Heliocidaris Erythrogramma) In Tasmania: Supporting A Profitable Harvest And Appropriate Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$262,870.09
Summary
Urchins have been fished in Tasmania since the 1980s, yet no significant research since a basic morphological description of the reproductive cycle in the 1970s has been conducted to support fisheries management. Spatial and habitat variability in urchin growth rates, maximum sizes and size at maturity across key harvesting regions are unknown.
There is a need to understand the drivers of seasonal and spatial variability in roe quality to maximise returns of ‘A-grade’ roe in order to m ....Urchins have been fished in Tasmania since the 1980s, yet no significant research since a basic morphological description of the reproductive cycle in the 1970s has been conducted to support fisheries management. Spatial and habitat variability in urchin growth rates, maximum sizes and size at maturity across key harvesting regions are unknown.
There is a need to understand the drivers of seasonal and spatial variability in roe quality to maximise returns of ‘A-grade’ roe in order to maximise industry probability. Variability in urchin roe coupled with competitive catch limits is leading to localised concentration in effort and subsequently catch caps being reached or areas being heavily exploited before roe has reached its highest quality or optimal recovery. This is decreasing product value and fishery profits.
The lack of information on the biology, population structure and roe characteristics of the urchin not only continues to hinder the value of the wild fishery in Tasmania but also the capacity to manage it.
There are regions where high concentrations of barren forming urchins are present and are not targeted by the wild fishery due to poor roe quality. Trials of Norwegian technologies to enhance roe quality of these urchins are being planned as a part of international trials. Gonad (roe) development and waste generation need be assessed in order to manage the developing industry, as well as to optimise feed-regimes ahead of moving to full commercialisation. Successful urchin farming will facilitate the expansion of the urchin industry, allow for diversification in the oyster industry given recent outbreaks of POMS and assist salmon growers move into IMTA practices.
There is strong support from managers and industry for the proposed research that will guide the future profitability of the fishery and inform its management. The TasRAC has identified this as a high priority project. DPIPWE is bound by the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 to ensure that fisheries are managed in a sustainable manner. However, the Department has had to adopted a precautionary approach in management due to the lack of scientific knowledge on the species. Objectives: 1. Assess Heliocidaris resource status and fisher perceptions on management and factors influencing roe quality 2. Assess regional and habitat variability in size at maturity and growth in Heliocidaris and the appropriateness of current size limits. 3. Determine biological and environmental drivers of roe quality. 4. Quantify roe enhancement and waste production of Heliocidaris fed on natural and formulated feeds Read moreRead less
Laser cleaning processes for Roads and Maritime Services bridges. This project aims to develop innovative laser cleaning processes to conserve the structural integrity and iconic status of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. New laser technologies offer the opportunity to remove lead-based paint and clean the bridge’s metal structures and granite pylons offering advantages unavailable with current techniques. The expected outcomes will be new best-practice laser conservation techniques usable for both ha ....Laser cleaning processes for Roads and Maritime Services bridges. This project aims to develop innovative laser cleaning processes to conserve the structural integrity and iconic status of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. New laser technologies offer the opportunity to remove lead-based paint and clean the bridge’s metal structures and granite pylons offering advantages unavailable with current techniques. The expected outcomes will be new best-practice laser conservation techniques usable for both hand-held and automated systems to preserve one of the most iconic bridges in the world. This will reduce maintenance frequency and cost, restore the beauty of the bridge, retain its engineering significance and provide a baseline process for cleaning of other historical large scale metal and stone heritage objects.Read moreRead less
Upscaling genetic management of wildlife populations. Earth’s biodiversity is in crisis: many species are threatened with extinction and need our help. Genetic management helps to stop extinctions and promotes the health and continued existence of our wildlife. This project aims to understand how to use genome science to support preservation of four endangered species in changing climates and apply these learnings to help other species to survive and thrive. Anticipated outcomes include innovati ....Upscaling genetic management of wildlife populations. Earth’s biodiversity is in crisis: many species are threatened with extinction and need our help. Genetic management helps to stop extinctions and promotes the health and continued existence of our wildlife. This project aims to understand how to use genome science to support preservation of four endangered species in changing climates and apply these learnings to help other species to survive and thrive. Anticipated outcomes include innovative approaches to aid conservation decision-making, automated analyses of genome data, and improved conservation training. The expected benefits include larger, healthier populations of four species, new ways of saving other species, and the provision of important resources for conservation managers.Read moreRead less
Fisheries Biology Of Western Australian Salmon: Improving Our Understanding Of Population Dynamics In South Australia To Enable Quantitative Stock Assessments And Improved Fisheries Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$246,454.00
Summary
There is opportunity for the WA Salmon Fishery in SA to expand into emerging national and international seafood markets, and the possibility that the stock may be more heavily exploited in the future. Given the shared nature of the resource among commercial, recreational, Charter Boat and indigenous sectors, it is important that appropriate management is place to ensure that any expansion of the fishery does not compromise the overall sustainability of the resource. This includes ensuring the sp ....There is opportunity for the WA Salmon Fishery in SA to expand into emerging national and international seafood markets, and the possibility that the stock may be more heavily exploited in the future. Given the shared nature of the resource among commercial, recreational, Charter Boat and indigenous sectors, it is important that appropriate management is place to ensure that any expansion of the fishery does not compromise the overall sustainability of the resource. This includes ensuring the species remains one of the premier inshore sportfish for recreational anglers in SA.
The current level of biological information that exists for WA Salmon is dated (Malcolm 1960; Cappo 1987) and largely focuses on the coastal component of the stock in SA. Contemporary information on the fine-scale population structure and fisheries biology of the WA Salmon stock in South Australian waters is needed to enable improved assessment of stock status and fisheries management and inform appropriate resource sharing among sectors.
The current ‘sustainable’ status assigned to WA Salmon stock in SA is predominantly based on commercial catch and effort data integrated with limited information from the recreational and Charter Boat sector. Given the importance of WA Salmon to recreational fishers and the capacity for the commercial sector to increase production there is a need to develop a fishery-independent means of assessing the relative abundance to enhance future assessments of stock status and assess whether the current management arrangements for the commercial sector is appropriate.
Given the multi-sectoral use of the resource and SA’s government commitment to maintaining quality recreational fishing opportunities; providing greater certainty for industry; and ensuring the continued supply of commercially harvested premium seafood, there is a need to develop a representative steering committee that is committed to achieving the objectives, outcomes, adoption and extension of this project. Objectives: 1. Describe fine-scale population structure and fisheries biology of the Western Australian Salmon in South Australia, including inshore and offshore components of the stock. 2. Assess the feasibility of using innovative remote sensing techniques (aerial surveys) to determine relative abundance of WA Salmon. Read moreRead less
More than a reserve? Measuring the benefits of private protected areas. This project aims to develop a framework for understanding the full suite of benefits derived from privately protected areas in Australia. It will develop and test a new interdisciplinary approach to measure the ecological, socio-cultural, and economic benefits of protected areas to both human and non-human beneficiaries. Outcomes will include a systematic process to effectively gather data, analyse, and report on the full s ....More than a reserve? Measuring the benefits of private protected areas. This project aims to develop a framework for understanding the full suite of benefits derived from privately protected areas in Australia. It will develop and test a new interdisciplinary approach to measure the ecological, socio-cultural, and economic benefits of protected areas to both human and non-human beneficiaries. Outcomes will include a systematic process to effectively gather data, analyse, and report on the full suite of benefits derived from protected areas. The framework will provide a robust evidence base for the range of benefits provided by private protected areas. This will be vital to manage and grow Australia’s protected area network to reduce biodiversity and environmental declines, and meet international commitments.Read moreRead less