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Research

Project Summary, Strategic Directions, Operating Procedures

Project Summary

Summary of Projects within the Rock Lobster Enhancement and Aquaculture Subprogram

Project

97-98

98-99

99-00

00-01

01-02

02-03

03-04

04-05

05-06

06-07

98/300 — Propagation of rock lobster — development of a collaborative national project with international partners.

  

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98/301 — Facilitation, administration and promotion of the FRDC Rock Lobster Enhancement and Aquaculture Subprogram.

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98/302 — Towards establishing techniques for large scale harvesting of pueruli and obtaining a better understanding of mortality rates.

  

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98/303 — Feed development for rock lobster aquaculture.

  

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98/304 — Pilot study of disease conditions in all potential rock lobster aquaculture species at different growth stages.

  

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98/305 — Determination of optimum environmental and system requirements for juvenile and adult rock lobster holding and grow-out.

  

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99/314 — Preliminary investigation towards ongrowing puerulus to enhance rock lobster stocks while providing animals for aquaculture.

    

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99/315 — Propagation techniques.

    

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2000/185 — Evaluating the release and survival of juvenile rock lobsters released for enhancement purposes.

      

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2000/211 — Investigation into tail-rot necrosis in live-held adult lobsters.

        

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2000/212 — The nutrition of juvenile and adult lobsters to optimise survival, growth and condition.

      

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2000/214 — Advancing the hatchery propagation of rock lobsters

      

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2000/263 — Reducing rock lobster larval rearing time through hormonal manipulation.

      

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2001/094 — Health assurance for southern rock lobsters

        

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2001/211 — Strategic planning, project development, and facilitation of research and extension towards establishment and maintenance of commercial rock lobster aquaculture and enhancement systems in Australia.

        

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2002/045 — Assessing the possibilities for the natural settlement of western rock lobster

            

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2003/213 — Establishing post-pueruli growout data for western rock lobster

            

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2003/211 - Advancing the hatchery propagation of tropical rock lobsters (Panulirus ornatus)

            

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2003/212 - Propagation of southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) in Tasmania

            

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2004/239 - Strategic planning, project development, and facilitation of research and extension towards establishment and maintenance of commercial rock lobster aquaculture and enhancement systems in Australia.

              

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Current Projects

2000/263: Reducing rock lobster larval rearing time through hormonal manipulation

Principal Investigator:Dr Mike Hall

(Australian Institute of Marine Science, Marine Biotechnology, PMB No 3, Townsville Mail Centre, Qld, 4810)

Project Objectives:

  1. To identify hormonal triggers for moulting to evaluate a shortening of the larval phase.

 

2001/094: Health assurance for Southern rock lobsters

Principal Investigator: Dr Judith Handlinger

(Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Marine Research Laboratories, Nubeena Crescent, Taroona, Tasmania, 7053)

Principal Objectives:

  1. To undertake a health survey of representative groups of wild juvenile southern rock lobsters.
  2. To undertake similar examination of statistically relevant numbers of cultured rock lobsters of similar age to compare the prevalence of diseases with those found in wild stocks.
  3. To use the information acquired from (a) and (b) in a risk analysis to determine the probability of adverse health consequences as a result of the release of cultured rock lobsters.
  4. To define protocols for health testing of juvenile rock lobsters before release.

 

 

2002/045 — Assessing the possibilities for the natural settlement of western rock lobster

Principal Investigator: Dr Bruce Phillips

(Fisheries WA, WA Marine Research Laboratories, PO Box 20, North Beach, WA, 6020)

Project Objectives

  1. To investigate in the laboratory, the number, size and positioning of holes suitable for post-pueruli shelters in an artificial reef environment.
  2. To estimate the number of shelters needed to make a measurable impact in a study area, and a preliminary estimate of what would be needed to provide an impact in a regional commercial catch and effort (CAES) reporting area.
  3. To design, in conjunction with coastal engineers, suitable puerulus/post puerulus enhancement structures that could be built in the future to test as a device to enhance local rock lobster.
  4. To undertake a benefit cost analysis for the various options for enhancing western rock lobster.

 

 

2003/211 - Advancing the hatchery propagation of tropical rock lobsters (Panulirus ornatus)

Principal Investigator: James Fogarty
(MG Kailis Group, PO Box 897, Cairns, Qld 4870

Project Objectives:

  1. Optimise reproductive output from captive Panulirus ornatus by
    maintaining broodstock populations under suitable environmentally
    controlled conditions to produce Stage I phyllosoma at any time of year.
  2. Use the base Artemia enrichment diet to further develop diets that
    maximise growth and survival of phyllosoma Stages I to V.
  3. Controlling bacterial communities in both live feed and phyllosoma
    culture systems.
  4. Optimise phyllosoma rearing conditions, including culture system
    design,
    water quality and nutrition.
  5. Begin development of a suitable formulated feed for post-Stage V
    phyllosomas.

 

2003/ 212 - Propagation of southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) in
Tasmania

Principal Investigator: Dr Arthur Ritar
(Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Marine Research Laboratories, Nubeena Crescent, Taroona, TAS, 7053)

Project Objectives:

  1. The overall objective is to understand the essential requirements
    for culture of early-stage phyllosoma of the southern rock lobster. To
    achieve this, we aim to firstly identify and assess broodstock conditioning
    protocols that permit routine production of high quality, viable
    larvae.
  2. To develop pilot-scale larval rearing systems which result in high
    survival of large numbers of Stage 5 phyllosoma.
  3. To understand the role of water quality and controlling microbial
    contamination as one of the key bottlenecks to survival and growth of
    phyllosoma.
  4. To develop diets and feeding protocols which optimize the survival
    and growth potential of phyllosoma to Stage 5.

2003/213 - Establishing post-pueruli growout data for western rock
lobster

Principal Investigator: Dr Roy Melville-Smith
(Fisheries WA, WA Marine Research Laboratories, PO Box 20, North Beach, WA, 6020)

Project Objectives

  1. Determine optimal flow rates for pueruli and juvenile western rock
    lobsters held at high densities in flow through tanks.
  2. Evaluation of growth rates and survival of pueruli to market sized
    lobsters with and without refuges and under two levels of biomass per
    unit volume of water.
  3. Estimation of the expected survival rate and period required to
    produce a marketable size animal from post-puerulus.
  4. Provide biological data to assist in assessing the economic
    potential for growing out western rock lobsters from post-puerulus to marketable
    size.

2004/239 - Strategic planning, project development and facilitation
of research and extension towards the establishment and maintenance of
rock lobster aquaculture and enhancement systems in Australia.

Principal Investigator: Dr Robert van Barneveld
(Barneveld Nutrition Pty ltd, 19-27 Coonan Rd, South Maclean, Qld,
4280)

Project 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.

Completed Projects

98/300: Propagation of rock lobster — development of a collaborative national project with international partners

Principal Investigator:Dr Piers Hart

(Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Marine Research Laboratories, Nubeena Crescent, Taroona, TAS, 7053)

Project Objectives:

  1. Identify potential for the development of commercial culture of rock lobster in Australia and determine the research and development potential required to achieve this potential.
  2. Identify what resources (expertise, facilities, funds) are required to conduct the necessary research and development.
  3. Identify potential international and national research and industry partners who are interested in collaborative research into culture of rock lobster from eggs.
  4. Develop a research plan mapping out research and development projects, the collaborative partners, timelines and resources.
  5. Submit a proposal to FRDC under the rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture subprogram.

Final Report Status: A final report in the form of workshop proceedings has been accepted by FRDC.

Outcomes: The outcome of the workshop was that, while many questions remain unanswered, sufficient information is currently available to suggest that rock lobster propagation is not only practically feasible, but there are string indications that a rock lobster hatchery could be commercially viable. On this basis, it was agreed that a research and development plan should be pursued and a funding application submitted to FRDC for an initial 1 year research project with an expectation of a longer and more elaborate project to follow. These recommendations were obviously endorsed with these two projects subsequently being funded by FRDC.

 

98/301: Facilitation, administration and promotion of the FRDC Rock Lobster Enhancement and Aquaculture Subprogram.

Principal Investigator:Dr Robert van Barneveld

(Barneveld Nutrition Pty Ltd, 19-27 Coonan Rd, South Maclean Qld 4280)

Project Objectives:

  1. Coordinate the FRDC Rock Lobster Enhancement and Aquaculture Subprogram (applications, workshops, communication).
  2. Conduct an annual research workshop to present research outcomes from the subprogram and to define research objectives for subsequent years.
  3. Facilitate travel of the subprogram project Principal Investigators, a nominated industry representative and the Subprogram Leader to biannual scientific meetings.
  4. Facilitate travel of industry representatives and the Subprogram Leader to biannual Steering and Management Committee meetings.
  5. Coordinate the preparation of a subprogram newsletter, media releases and workshop publications.
  6. Integrate with other FRDC and externally funded rock lobster research programs (eg FRDC Project 98/300 — Propagation of rock lobster — development of a collaborative national project with international partners and the FRDC Rock Lobster Post-Harvest Subprogram).

 

Final Report Status: A draft final report has been prepared for consideration by FRDC.

Outcomes: This project was successful in establishing a functional subprogram with inputs from a wide range of industry sectors. It convened a total of three workshops in Australia and New Zealand and forged the development of international research collaborations. By focusing research priorities, this project has ensured that the technology will exist for the development of Australian rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture systems.

 

98/302: Towards establishing techniques for large-scale harvesting of pueruli and obtaining a better understanding of mortality rates

Principal Investigator:Dr Bruce Phillips

(Fisheries WA, WA Marine Research Laboratories, PO Box 20, North Beach, WA, 6020)

Project Objectives (Revised June, 1999):

  1. To determine appropriate puerulus to legal size survival rates and potential harvesting ratios, that if implemented in the western rock lobster fishery, might result in "biological neutrality" being achieved.
  2. To establish techniques for large scale harvesting of pueruli for rock lobsters.
  3. To collaborate with scientists conducting puerulus collection research in Tasmania.

Final Report Status: Pending

98/303: Feed development for rock lobster aquaculture

Principal Investigator:Dr Kevin Williams

(CSIRO Division of Marine Research, Marine Laboratory, 233 Middle Street, Cleveland, Qld, 416

Project Objectives:

  1. Review the state of knowledge of crustacean and fish nutrition of relevance to the development of formulated feeds for rock lobsters.
  2. Develop a ‘best guess’ formulated diet for juvenile and adult rock lobsters (for tropical, Panulirus ornatus, western, P. cygnus and southern, Jasus edwardsii species) for comparative trialing against existing ‘fresh’ diet.
  3. Determine the response of post-pueruli/juveniles and adult rock lobsters to key nutrients critical for the development of cost-effective formulated diets for rock lobsters.
  4. Make recommendations on the direction of future nutrition research.

Final Report Status: A final report has been accepted by FRDC

Outcomes: This project has addressed a range of issues associated with the nutrition of juvenile and adult lobsters including the successful development of manufactured feeds for captive lobsters.

 

98/304: Pilot study of disease conditions in all potential rock lobster aquaculture species at different growth stages

Principal Investigator:Assoc Prof Louis Evans

(Curtin University of Technology, Aquatic Sciences Research Unit, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6001)

Project Objectives:

  1. To establish a national network of rock lobster health and disease personnel.
  2. To conduct a symposium on health and disease management in lobster aquaculture and long-term holding facilities
  3. To collate and document current state of knowledge on rock lobster diseases.
  4. To provide a disease diagnosis service for existing FRDC rock lobster projects in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

Final Report Status: Pending

Outcomes: A lobster health network was successfully established as part of this project and an international symposium on lobster health management was convened in conjunction with the Third International Lobster Congress in South Australia.

98/305: Determination of optimum environmental and system requirements for juvenile and adult rock lobster holding and grow-out

Principal Investigator:Assoc Prof Mike Geddes

(University of Adelaide, Department of Zoology, GPO Box 498, Adelaide, SA, 5001)

Project Objectives:

  1. Assess the interactions between stocking density and feed delivery system on maintaining and improving condition and on the growth performance of adult rock lobsters in existing sea-based holding systems in different seasons.
  2. Determine the effects of temperature, salinity and photoperiod on the growth rate and survival of juvenile rock lobsters in existing land-based holding systems.
  3. Determine the effects of stocking density and shelter on the growth rate and survival of juvenile rock lobsters in existing land-based holding systems.
  4. Evaluate existing system design and management regimes for land-based captive grow out of juvenile rock lobsters and for sea-based holding of adult rock lobsters.

Final Report Status: A final report has been accepted by the FRDC.

Outcomes: Outcomes from this project will allow aquaculturalists, rock lobster fishers and processors to make better informed decisions about holding systems, holding times, feeding regimes, feed types and selection of lobsters and long term live-holding of Jasus edwardsii. In addition, the project has defined temperature, salinity and density optima for the tank culture of P. ornatus, basic production protocols for P. ornatus, and the commercial aquaculture potential of P, ornatus.

 

99/314: Preliminary investigation towards ongrowing puerulus to enhance rock lobster stocks while providing animals for commercial culture

Principal Investigator:Mr Caleb Gardner

(Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Marine Research laboratories, Nubeena Crescent, Taroona, TAS, 7053)

Project Objectives:

  1. To develop methods to capture large numbers of 1 year old benthic juvenile rock lobsters, both for providing control animals and for monitoring survival of reseeded animals (note that this is not puerulus collection).
  2. To determine the extent of movement of reseeded and control juveniles after release, to assist in estimation of survival.
  3. To develop methods to assess relative survival of cultured juvenile lobsters released into a natural habitat.

Final Report Status: A final report has been accepted by FRDC.

Outcomes: Survival results from this project are encouraging for the future of reseeding aquaculture grown juveniles, however, caution is urged in their interpretation. There is evidence that survival varies greatly between habitats and/or regions, and seasonal effects are also likely. Most importantly, this study has shown that obtaining accurate estimates of short term survival of juvenile lobsters is both possible and practical. There is confidence that results from the model, and new knowledge on juvenile lobster movement can be used to design a robust study to predict likely survival of reseeded lobsters across habitats, geographic regions and seasons.

 

99/315: Propagation techniques

Principal Investigator:Dr Piers Hart

(Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Marine Research laboratories, Nubeena Crescent, Taroona, TAS, 7053)

Project Objectives:

  1. Develop an artifical diet acceptable to phyllosoma of three species of rock lobster, that is water stable and easily manipulated through:
  • Characterising the morphology and function of the larval digestive system;
  • Examining the biochemical changes in cultured and wild phyllosoma;
  • Developing a best guess formulated diet for use in nutritional experiments;
  • Examining the suitability of diets for phyllosoma of rock lobster.
  1. Examine mass culture systems and determine environmental requirements for phyllosoma of three species of rock lobster by:
  • Examining mass culture systems using southern rock lobster phyllosoma;
  • Examining environmental requirements of southern rock lobster phyllosoma;
  • Examining environmental requirements of tropical rock lobster phyllosoma;
  • Examining the effects of temperature and food density on phyllosoma of the western rock lobster.
  1. Develop hormonal control of moulting in rock lobsters by conducting a scoping study to examine the hormonal sequence controlling moulting in phyllosoma of a test species.
  2. Determine the health status of phyllosoma of southern rock lobster under culture conditions.

Final Report Status: A final report has been accepted by FRDC.

Outcomes: The results from this project have begum the construction of a picture of phyllosoma development over time, which can be related to the structure of a potential culture technology. This information has been used to develop a further submission to FRDC for continued research into the propagation of lobsters with a focus on nutrition.

2000/185: Evaluating the release and survival of juvenile rock lobsters released for enhancement purposes

Principal Investigator:Dr Caleb Gardner

(Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Marine Research Laboratories, Nubeena Crescent, Taroona, TAS, 7053)

Project Objectives:

  1. To develop release protocols to minimise mortality based on the anti-predator behaviour of wild and cultured juvenile J. edwardsii.
  2. To provide recommendations on release (micro) habitats for optimising the benefit of enhancement operations.
  3. To evaluate the conclusions of objectives 1 and 2 in pilot scale enhancement experiments.

 Final report status: submitted

2000/211: Investigation into tail rot necrosis in live-held adult rock lobsters

Principal Investigator:Assoc Prof Mike Geddes

(University of Adelaide, Department of Zoology, GPO Box 498, Adelaide, SA, 5001)

Project Objective:

  1. Identify potential causes of tail fan necrosis in live-held adult southern rock lobster.
  2. Provide advice on possible preventative methods for reducing the incidence of tail fan necrosis in live-held adult southern rock lobster.

Final Report Status:
Draft final report has been submitted to FRDC.

Outcomes:
To be reported.

 

 

2000/212: The nutrition of juvenile and adult lobsters to optimise survival, growth and condition.

Principal Investigator:Dr Kevin Williams

(CSIRO Division of Marine Research, Marine Laboratory, 233 Middle Street, Cleveland, Qld, 4163)

Project Objectives:

  1. Develop manufactured feeds for juvenile rock lobsters (ie puerulus — year 1 and beyond) that optimise survival and growth by a)defining the chemicophysical cues that stimulate food consumption in juvenile rock lobsters, b) developing pelleted feeds that remain attractive to lobsters for periods in excess of four hours after immersion, and c) determining the optimum dietary specifications of selected nutrients required by juvenile rock lobsters for growth and development.
  2. Develop manufactured feeds for adult lobsters for body maintenance and moult manipulation by a) determining the optimum pellet size and feeding frequency for maintaining the condition of adult rock lobsters and b) providing continued advice to project 98/305 on lobster feeds development for adult lobster holding.

 Final report status: submitted

2000/214: Advancing the hatchery propagation of rock lobsters

Principal Investigator:Dr Bradley Crear

(Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Marine Research Laboratories, Nubeena Crescent, Taroona, TAS, 7053)

Project Objectives:

  1. To demonstrate that nutrient supply is a limiting factor in the growth and survival of rock lobster phyllosoma by the identification of a) which nutrients are critical, b) which nutrients are rock lobster phyllosoma adapted to digest, and c) whether we can manipulate growth through manipulation of nutrient supply.
  2. To reduce the reliance on live feed for rearing of rock lobster phyllosoma by the identification of a) what stimuli are required to make formulated diets more attractive to phyllosoma, and b) what factors influence the consumption of formulated diets.

 Final report status: pending

2001/211: Strategic planning, project development and facilitation of research and extension towards the establishment and maintenance of rock lobster aquaculture and enhancement systems in Australia.

Principal Investigator: Dr Robert van Barneveld

(Barneveld Nutrition Pty ltd, 19-27 Coonan Rd, South Maclean, Qld, 4280)

Principal Objectives:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Identification and procurement of funding from a variety of sources to assist the commercialisation of technologies developed within RLEAS research program in partnership with the commercial sector and research agencies participating in the RLEAS.
  5. Facilitate the delivery of outcomes from the RLEAS in the form of annual workshops, newsletters, media releases, final reports, workshop proceedings and scientific publications.
  6. Provide a single point of contact for rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture research in Australia.
  7. Facilitate the functions of a RLEAS Steering Committee to ensure ongoing research programs have a high degree of industry relevance and focus.
 Final report status: pending

Strategic Directions

 

'Strategic Directions 2002 - 2007' can be downloaded in PDF format.

 

Communications Strategy

The RLEAS Steering Committee will facilitate the orderly release of information produced by, and meeting the needs of, Subprogram participants.

All media releases, publications and presentations produces as a result of Subprogram activities are to be vetted by the RLEAS Steering Committee and require a minimum of 5 working days for review.

Communications Subcommittee Assessment Criteria:

  • Appropriate format is used to ensure that it is understandable by the targeted audience
  • Contains no errors of fact
  • Grammatically correct
  • Appropriate acknowledgements given
    • FRDC
    • CRC for Aquaculture
    • Other relevant bodies
    • Relevant personnel
  • Meets contractual and intellectual property agreements
  • Wording is politically correct

Subprogram Newsletter:

  • "Lob ReLEASe" will be edited by the Subprogram Leader before circulation to the Steering Committee for review.

Workshop Proceedings:

  • Researchers will supply a disk copy of presentations from the workshop as well as more comprehensive supplementary documentation to include in the proceedings within 2 weeks of the workshop.

Scientific Publications:

  • To be developed with the input of all appropriate co-authors
  • To be submitted through the normal publications review channels of the institution of the primary author
  • To then be provided to the Subprogram Leader and FRDC who may distribute it to the Steering Committee for comment.

Subprogram Media Releases:

  • All media releases should be sent to the Subprogram Leader via e-mail for review and distribution to the Steering Committee.
  • Please ensure the Assessment Criteria are adhered to in the initial draft to minimise editing
  • Once reviewed by the Steering Committee any suggested editing will be forwarded to the Subprogram Leader for collation.
  • All editing will then be forwarded to the author for preparation of a final draft.
  • The final draft will be recirculated by the Subprogram Leader to the Steering Committee for approval.
  • A proof of ALL print media MUST be sighted by the Subprogram Leader prior to release. If the media outlet is not prepared to release the proof of text, then approval will not be granted for publication.
  • A transcript of ALL radio and television interviews MUST be viewed or heard by the Subprogram Leader prior to release. If the media outlet is not prepared to release a transcript, then approval will not be granted for release.

Unsolicited Media Enquiries/Interviews:

  • Where possible arrange an appropriate future time to discuss the topic so that a brief note can be circulated via e-mail to the Steering Committee detailing;
    • Who the media contact is and what organisation they represent
    • The topic to be covered
    • Details of what issues will be addressed
    • A feedback deadline for the Communications Subcommittee response to your note
  • Discussion should be restricted to research you have or are conducting (refer to appropriate scientist if required) not issues of a policy or political nature
  • Upon completion of the interview a brief summary of what transpired should be sent to the Subprogram Leader
  • It should be noted that planned media releases are the preferred option whenever possible.

Subprogram Conference Presentations:

  • The conference presentation abstract should be sent to the Subprogram Leader via e-mail for review and distribution to the Steering Committee
  • The final conference presentation should be sent to the Subprogram Leader via e-mail for review and distribution to the Steering Committee
  • The final conference paper should be sent to the Subprogram Leader by email for review and distribution to the Steering Committee
  • All conference presentations should use the standardised Subprogram presentation format which can be obtained from the subprogram Leader.

These guidelines apply to research relevant to the RLEAS being conducted in Australia and New Zealand. If these guidelines are not adhered to strictly, then the RLEAS will not provide any support for repercussions that may arise as a result of a public release of information.

 

 

Operating Procedures

This Subprogram is highly responsive to the views of industry and understands the need to accommodate both the research requirements of the future and the needs of the existing wild fisheries and aquaculture industries. To ensure that research conducted within the Subprogram is relevant and meets the above criteria, a Steering Committee has been established to:

  • Provide industry feedback and views;
  • Review existing research based on FRDC contractual obligations;
  • Prioritise new proposals and provide a priority list for other agencies;
  • Ensure outcomes are commercially focussed;
  • Coordinate industry and research provider involvement - optimum use of resources;
  • Facilitate extension and technology transfer.

Membership of the Steering Committee includes Robert van Barneveld (Chair), Patrick Hone (FRDC), Pheroze Jungalwalla (TAS), Neil Stump (TAS), Andrew Ferguson (SA), Greg Ward (SA), Barry Spurrier (VIC), David Lucas (VIC), Jim Fogarty (QLD), Steven Gill (WA), John Newby (WA), Neil Dorrington (WA), Larnce Wichman (NZ), Andrew Jeffs (Scientific Adviser) and Bruce Phillips (FRDC Rock Lobster Post-Harvest Subprogram Leader).

The Steering Committee meets in March and September each year to review project progress and establish research priorities. Advice from the September Steering Committee is sent to all Fisheries Research Advisory Bodies so that they are aware of the subprogram research priorities. All new projects relating to rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture are assessed by the Steering Committee and are submitted to the FRDC Board via the Subprogram.

Industry consultation and communication: The Subprogram Leader, Dr van Barneveld, promotes the activities of the RLEAS through a website, industry newsletters, and direct communication with industry organisations and representatives.

Strategic planning: Strategic planning for the RLEAS will be based on outcomes from the existing research program and ongoing consultation between the Subprogram Leader and members of industry and researchers in Australia and New Zealand. The strategic plan will be maintained and updated annually using CD-ROM for distribution. The strategic planning process will identify those factors that represent restrictions to the initial establishment of rock lobster aquaculture (eg. propagation, nutrition) and enhancement (eg. monitoring survival, prevention of disease introduction to the wild fishery) processes, and then will utilise a relative ranking score from the various rock lobster fisheries across Australia.

Communication with FRABS: Communication with FRAB's is via distribution of an annual operating plan for the RLEAS in December of each year combined with direct communications. The Subprogram Leader will also attend the annual FRDC FRAB workshop to promote the activities and objectives of the RLEAS.

Development of new research proposals: New research proposals are developed through the use of facilitated strategic planning meetings. Using priorities published in the RLEAS Strategic Plan, the Subprogram Leader convenes meetings with relevant researchers and research institutions to:

1. Define the planned outcomes of the new proposal;

2. Manage an indicative budget for the research as defined by the Steering Committee;

3. Identify which researchers/institutions are best placed to undertake the research;

4. Promote collaboration between researchers and institutions where appropriate;

5. Seek external expertise and inputs as required.

6. Ensure the new proposal meets the objectives of the subprogram and that the research remains relevant and focussed.

The Subprogram Leader ensures new research proposals are distributed to FRABS and the RLEAS Steering Committee for comment and ratification before submitting the proposals to FRDC on behalf of the lead agencies, or facilitating adjustments to the proposals prior to submission.

Coordination of research reports: The Subprogram Leader collates progress and final reports from projects within the Subprogram in March and September each year for delivery in a common format to FRDC. These reports are distributed to members of the Steering Committee for comment and review.

Review of research progress and direction: The RLEAS Steering Committee interviews the Principal Investigator of each project within the Subprogram at least once annually as part of the Steering Committee meeting. Principal Investigators are expected to report progress against contracted milestones, justify any changes in research direction, and demonstrate that the research program is making a valuable contribution towards the achievement of the Subprogram objectives. The Steering Committee makes recommendations to the FRDC Board in relation to potential changes to the objectives of the research program, or instances where project progress is unsatisfactory.

Coordination of research extension: A major function of the Subprogram Leader is the organisation and delivery of an annual research workshop to highlight the activities and outputs of the RLEAS. Workshops are convened with presentations from invited speakers and researchers aimed at delivering key messages to end-users for use in practical rock lobster aquaculture and enhancement systems.

The Subprogram Leader compiles a subprogram newsletter "Lob ReLEASe" at least annually or as required highlighting research outcomes, developments in rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture and events relevant to the RLEAS. The Subprogram Leader is also responsible for the approval of all media releases and scientific publications arising from research projects within the Subprogram using the RLEAS Steering Committee communication policy as a guide.

Collaboration with international partners: The Subprogram Leader has established a major international collaboration between researchers in Australia and New Zealand through project 98/301. This was achieved through direct interaction with researchers in New Zealand and involvement of these scientists in the RLEAS research program. There is further opportunity to build on relationships initiated with Japanese researchers by AIMS, CSIRO and TAFI as the RLEAS continues to evolve. In all cases, international collaborations will be based on a two-way flow of information and where possible, research funds.

Identification and procurement of additional funding: Additional funding from sources such as the Public Good Science Fund in New Zealand and AUSIndustry in Australia will be procured with the assistance of the Subprogram Leader and relevant end-users. The Subprogram Leader is already involved with the development of AUSIndustry COMET proposals for the commercialisation of existing technology for rock lobster aquaculture. There are also opportunities for commercial investment in the development of technologies for rock lobster aquaculture in conjunction with the existing research program.

Liaison with FRDC: The Subprogram Leader is the conduit for communications between FRDC and subprogram participants in relation to project contracts, project reports, new submissions and general correspondence. The Subprogram Leader also represents the RLEAS at the annual FRDC FRAB and Subprogram meetings in Canberra.