Project number: 2004-239
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $419,958.00
Principal Investigator: Robert van Barneveld
Organisation: Barneveld Nutrition Pty Ltd
Project start/end date: 14 Aug 2004 - 30 Nov 2007
Contact:
FRDC

Need

1. RESEARCH RELEVANCE AND ACCEPTANCE

The RLEAS is recognised as the focal point for rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture research. The Australian Southern Rock Lobster Industry has identified rock lobster culture and grow-out as a high priority and their strategic plan has identified the RLEAS as the basis for on-going development in this area through strategic alliances. Tropical rock lobsters are seen as holding the greatest short term potential as an aquaculture species. MG Kailis commenced independent research with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries into propagation and grow-out of P.ornatus, but have now invested in collaborative research within the RLEAS having recognised the scope of the task and the need for a coordinated approach. The potential value of rock lobster aquaculture and the RLEAS is evidenced by the fact that the projects operating within the Subprogram have attracted $4.5 million in cash contributions between 1998 and 2006. There is a need to maintain this focal point for rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture research to ensure the science remains relevant, to attract additional investment, to coordinate research nationally and where appropriate, internationally, and to ensure all opportunities are being captured.

2. RESEARCH EFFICIENCY AND OUTPUT

To date, the RLEAS has managed a portfolio of 19 projects representing a total investment from FRDC and stakeholders of nearly $17 million between 1998 and 2006. Outcomes from 12 of these projects have been delivered to date. Not only have the activities of the RLEAS and its Steering Committee ensured that this research remains highly focused, but it has fostered collaboration that would have been unlikely to eventuate in the absence of the subprogram. In addition, the strategic management provided by the RLEAS and the Subprogram Leader have ensured savings in project costs that far exceed the cost of running the coordination component of the subprogram. The coordination component of the RLEAS represents only 3.5% of the total investment in the subprogram, with travel costs for researchers and stakeholders managed through the coordination projects representing more than half of this cost. It is essential to maintain an independent Subprogram Leader to coordinate a national project of this nature, and as projects representing more than $8 million are still active within the RLEAS, on-going management is required to ensure relevant outcomes are delivered to industry.

Objectives

1. Establishment of a framework for the delivery of commercial outcomes from projects undertaken within the Rock Lobster Enhancement and Aquaculture Subprogram, and a strategy for the longer term, self-sustainable coordination and management of research relevant to rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture.
2. Development and implementation of strategic plans and the facilitation of research and extension to assist the establishment of rock lobster aquaculture and enhancement systems in Australia.
3. Coordination of a wide range of discipline-based (ie nutrition, reproduction, husbandry) research projects across a range of rock lobster species relevant to different regions of Australia.
4. Facilitate independent reviews of research projects within the Subprogram as required to optimize research efficiency and project outcomes.
5. Identification and procurement of funding from a variety of sources additional to FRDC to compliment or enhance existing rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture research in Australia and New Zealand.
6. Facilitate the delivery of outcomes from the RLEAS in the form of annual workshops, newsletters, media releases, final reports, workshop proceedings and scientific publications.
7. Provide a single point of contact for rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture research in Australia and liaise with state-based industry bodies relevant to the rock lobster sector for the on-going delivery of rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture research.
8. Facilitate the functions of a RLEAS Steering Committee to ensure ongoing research programs have a high degree of industry relevance and focus.

Final report

Author: Robert van Barneveld
Final Report • 2010-07-07 • 3.10 MB
2004-239-DLD.pdf

Summary

To date, the RLEAS has managed a portfolio of 19 projects representing a total investment from FRDC and stakeholders of nearly $17 million between 1998 and 2006.  Outcomes from 12 of these projects have been delivered to date.  Not only have the activities of the RLEAS and its Steering Committee ensured that this research remains highly focused, but it has fostered collaboration that would have been unlikely to eventuate in the absence of the subprogram.  In addition, the strategic management provided by the RLEAS and the Subprogram Leader have ensured savings in project costs that far exceed the cost of running the coordination component of the subprogram.

The coordination component of the RLEAS represents only 3.5% of the total investment in the subprogram, with travel costs for researchers and stakeholders managed through the coordination projects representing more than half of this cost.  It was essential to maintain an independent Subprogram Leader to coordinate a national project of this nature, and as projects representing more than $8 million were still active within the RLEAS at the commencement of this project, on-going management is required to ensure relevant outcomes were delivered to industry.

Keywords: Rock lobster, aquaculture.

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