This proposal is a response to an request by the FRDC to RDS Partners to undertake a current (2013) RD&E capability audit for the Australian Fishing and Aquaculture Industry, following the successful completion of the initial RD&E capability audit in 2009.

The final report to FRDC from the RD&E capability audit 2009 provided an analysis of the research, development and extension (RD&E) effort supporting Australia’s fisheries and aquaculture industries in the latter quarter of 2009 and supported the development of Working Together: The National Fishing and Aquaculture RD&E Strategy.

Since the release of - and in response to - Working Together: The National Fishing and Aquaculture RD&E Strategy, it is our understanding that significant changes have occurred in national RD&E capability. The advent of: the ARC Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) for Australian universities; Major-Support-Link Research Provider concept; National Research Providers Network (NRPN) and NRPN Hubs; and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension and Adoption Working Group, is likely to have seen restructuring of Fishing and Aquaculture RD&E capability at a national, State and institutional level.

Updating the RD&E capability audit for 2013 will provide a direct comparison with the capability status in 2009, allowing a current understanding of RD&E capability, capacity and future demand.

Australian agencies investing in RD&E need to understand current RD&E capability and capacity and future demand, in order to to plan for and deliver effective and efficient services to the Fishing and Aquaculture industry.