As 2025 gets into full gear, FRDC is taking a moment to look back at the standout moments of 2024 – revisiting the most-read FRDC News stories and social posts to see what truly captured your attention and sparked conversation last year.
Top stories making waves
Campaign captures a new perspective on Australia's commercial wildcatch fishing sector
Our campaign, highlighting the authentic stories of commercial fishers, has taken the spotlight – and it’s easy to see why. If you haven’t seen it yet, dive into the full story here or watch the captivating videos on our YouTube.
Impacts of microplastics on seafood revealed
Another major hit was our revealing piece on the Impact of Microplastics on Seafood, shedding light on the shocking fact that 93% of marine species are harmed by microplastics. Get the full scoop here.
Bold vision for recreational fishing research
The RecFishing Research RD&E Plan’s vision is bold as it is important: ‘Kids able to fish safely, accessibly, close to home and successfully!’ Learn more about the five-year journey designed to support Australia’s four million recreational fishers.
Australian trap fishers cross countries seeking whale-friendly options
And who could forget our exclusive coverage of five passionate fishers embarking on a mission to protect both whales and their livelihoods in Nova Scotia? It’s a story you won’t want to miss—take a closer look here.
Social Media Buzz
The FRDC team has been loving the energy from engaging with our community on social platforms throughout the year. We’ve been out in the field, connecting with fishers and seafood producers while spotlighting our vital research initiatives.
NSILP Graduates (Who doesn’t love seeing a bunch of smiling faces?!)
The aquatic sectors only leadership program continued to make waves – pushing the programs graduate number above 400!
Wez Norris thought-piece
Australian Fisheries Management Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Wez Norris, sparked powerful conversations with his thought-provoking piece on why Australia’s wild fisheries urgently need a future-focused re-think.
Extension Officer Interactions
FRDC’s Extension Officer Network continued to shine, with our social media highlighting their numerous successes and engagements.
Key Events
Supporting and sponsoring key events remains a crucial part of FRDC’s annual investment – providing rich opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Seafood Directions 2024
On a clear, brisk day late last year, over 580 delegates were welcomed to Lutruwita (Tasmania) by a traditional and contemporary dance group - Pakana Kanaplila, for Seafood Directions 2024. Held in Hobart, this was the largest crowd ever, in the 25-year history of Seafood Directions.
There were more than 50 sessions held across the three-day event and over 30 of these showcased FRDC funded projects One of the highlights was an innovation in research presentation, FRDC’s FishTank, where eight exceptional research partners from across Australia brought their research to life in unique ways, including virtual reality experiences with artificial reefs, live demonstrations of how to prevent flyback while tuna longlining, jellyfish taste tests and even a climate-themed boardgame of (sea)snakes and ladders!
Marine Heatwave webinars
In 2024, FRDC introduced Fisheries Marine Climate Briefings in partnership with CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology. These highly informative webinars focused on sea surface temperatures, marine heatwaves and global climate outlooks.
Stay ahead of the curve! The next briefing is on 31 January 2-3PM AEDT – contact Jamie Allnutt (jamie.allnutt@frdc.com.au) if you are interested.
Australian Sea Country Conference
The first ever Sea Country Conference in Australia, hosted by Aboriginal Sea Company, was held in Darwin last year, bringing over 275 delegates together to discuss strategies for strengthening First Nations stewardship of marine and coastal environments.
Delegates who undertook the pre-conference field trips had the unique opportunity to experience Indigenous fishing practices first-hand. This included seeing how simple, safe and effective fish nets play a vital role in providing fish to the local community as well as a hands-on demonstration of Dookie’s innovative fish trap.
Looking forward into 2025
FRDC is committed to delivering unparalleled benefits to our stakeholders and advancing the future of Australia’s fishing and aquaculture sectors. Stay tuned for even more exciting developments in 2025!
