Title

Boom and Bust Fisheries: Post-harvest and market options and opportunities

Need

• Many New South Wales commercial fisheries are characterised as being “boom and bust” fisheries, with seasonal catches of fluctuating volumes that in turn create a range of in market issues.
• The boom and bust nature of these fisheries can challenge fishing businesses, resulting in instability of operating conditions, an inability to establish market opportunities, and a potential lack of confidence to invest in the fishery.
• There is a need to identify the range of post-harvest and market options and opportunities that might be adopted by operators in these boom and bust fisheries.
• This would build on the outcomes of FRDC project 2016-224 “Boosting fisher returns through smart value adding and greater use of underutilised species” that highlighted commercial opportunities and models to utilise and value add to under-utilised/-valued species in NSW.

Deliverables

• Review of potential solutions (post-harvest and market options and opportunities) that are/can be applied in boom and bust fisheries.
• Extend potential solutions and critical operational requirements to industry stakeholders.

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

New South Wales – with likely benefits to other jurisdictions

End user

Commercial fishers; Wholesalers; Retailers; Cooperatives

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 2. Best practices in production systems
Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2016-224 Boosting fisher returns through smart value adding and greater use of underutilised species
• 2017-185 A review of projects concerned with improved exploitation of underutilised species
• 2013-711.30 Seafood CRC: new opportunities for underutilised species
• 2013-711.40 Seafood CRC: new opportunities for seafood processing waste

Title

Evaluating the population biology of King Threadfin in the Gulf of Carpentaria

Need

• The King Threadfin (Polydactylus macrochir) ‘stock’ in the Gulf of Carpentaria was assessed in 2020 at being at 5% of virgin biomass and is being reassessed at present.
• There are fundamental gaps in the knowledge around life history of King Threadfin and the fishery for this species in the Gulf of Carpentaria that include:
  • Stock structure, including spatial and temporal connectivity between regions (i.e. movement and reproductive connectivity)
  • Quantify life history information at regional / relevant scales to stock assessment (e.g. size and age at sex transition, spawning times/areas, fecundity-at-length, growth variability)
  • Factors influencing variation in the relationship between catch rate and population abundance

Deliverables

• Quantitative evidence to support recommendations on the spatial scales at that King Threadfin population(s) function within the Gulf of Carpentaria
• Quantified life history parameters for regional ‘stocks’ of KTF
• Evidence based recommendations on the standardisation of KTF catch data as an index of population abundance
• Information towards a re-building strategy for the stock.

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

Queensland

End user

Fisheries Queensland, Commercial fishing sector

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems
Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2007-032 Defining the stock structure of northern Australia's threadfin salmon species
• 2002-003 Biological parameters for managing the fisheries for blue and king threadfin salmons, estuary rockcod, malabar grouper and mangrove jack in north-western Australia

Title

Behaviour change approaches for improving the collection of voluntary recreational fishing data in Queensland for high priority species

Need

• There is a need for accurate and timely recreational fishing catch data to support inputs to stock assessment and reduce uncertainty and increase trust in management advice for many Queensland fish stocks.
• Population based phone logbook surveys have been traditionally used to estimate recreational catch, but they are becoming increasingly costly and impractical. Cost-effective alternatives capable of engaging recreational fishers are needed.
• Voluntary self-reporting of catches by recreational fishers – e.g. via smart phone based app – is a key component of alternative methods that can reduce costs and increase the accuracy and stakeholder acceptance of estimates recreational catch and stock assessments. However, this approach has its own inherent challenges, which have been well-documented.
• Having recreational fishers willing and supportive towards providing their fishing data through Fisheries Queensland’s phone app will improve the accuracy of estimates and the acceptance of the results. Encouragement of this support and willingness to voluntarily report is needed.
• Developing and implementing a behaviour change campaign involving a range of behavioural science-informed interventions that overcomes the barriers deterring people from self-reporting (e.g. mistrust in the use of the data) and promoting factors that foster self-reporting (e.g. contributing to citizen science, protecting fish species for subsequent generations while not engaging in strategic bias) can be used to meet the need for effective and widespread self-reporting.

Deliverables

• Confirmation of the barriers and facilitators identified in existing studies affecting Queensland recreational fishers’ willingness to voluntarily provide catch information to fishery monitoring programs via a smart phone app.
• Co-designed interventions that are implemented and evaluated through existing programs, which target confirmed barriers and provide enabling factors needed to increase rates of adoption and accuracy of use.
• Consensus understanding across key stakeholders of cost-effective strategies and actions that can be implemented to increase rates and accuracy of self-reporting of recreational fishing catches.
• Identification of feasible opportunities to promote involvement in other recreational fishery monitoring (for example participation in boat ramp surveys or supplying biological samples).

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

Queensland – with likely benefits to all other jurisdictions. Human Dimensions Research Coordination program

End user

Fisheries Queensland, local government, recreational fishers, tourism operators, tackle companies, other state management agencies.

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems
Outcome 5. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking and,

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2020-056 Evaluation of a smart-phone application to collect recreational fishing catch estimates, including an assessment against an independent probability based survey, using South Australia as a case study
• 2019-213 Tackle Box - Fishing at home during Covid 19
• 2019-078 Fishing for change: A social marketing approach to reduce the recreational harvest of Snapper and Pearl Perch in Queensland
• 2017-198 Assess new technologies and techniques that could improve the cost-effectiveness and robustness of recreational fishing surveys
• 2019-075 Recreational Southern Rock Lobster tagging program – assessing current data and modelling assumptions and approaches to establish a robust estimate
• 2022-027 Targeting behavioural change in fisheries and aquaculture

Title

Exploring new resources for the West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Managed Fishery

Need

• The West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Managed Fishery (WCDSCMF) can land and sell all deep-sea crustaceans caught west of 127o E Longitude. This encompasses the entire coast between 2o west of the Northern Territory border and Augusta. This requires that fishers steam large distances from ports to the fishing grounds, over expansive areas that are not fished.
• The fishery has the opportunity of expanding its revenue through the identification of modified fishing gears that could be deployed when traversing these distances to target a braider range of species.
• Limited research sampling with modified pots (e.g. closed escape gaps and meshed sides) has identified some potential additional stocks (e.g. Royal Red Prawns), but their distribution and abundance remains relatively unknown. There is a need to expand trials of modified gears.
• In addition, there is currently little known about the marine habitats between the on-shelf sand/reef systems down along the continental slope towards abyssal depths (150m to 1,300m) and their association with crustaceans. An improved understanding associations between crustaceans and their habitat would assist in identifying potential new species.
• This research would assist the fishery to increase its profitability amidst rising operating costs associated with bait, salaries, and fuel. Furthermore, a better understanding of habitats along the continental slope where the WCDSCMF operates will assist in maintaining MSC certification.
• As such there are no additional access issues associated with the project application (WCDSCMF fishers can already land all crustacean species caught by this commonwealth fishery in the waters they current fish in).

Deliverables

• Identification of potential new marine crustacean resources located within the water of the WCDSCMF.
• Document associations between all marine crustacean species and their habitat.
• Trial modified traps designed to catch potential new crustacean stocks.
• Reports will also be provided to AFMA to ensure they are kept informed.

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

End user

Commercial fishers (West Coast Deep Sea Crab Managed Fishery, WCDSCMF); State and AFMA Fishery Managers

Jurisdictions

Western Australia

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems
Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources

Other

Title

Enhancing opportunities for Western Australian consumers to access diverse, local, and affordable seafood

Need

• With industry costs increasing and declines on the total allowable catch in many fisheries, there is a need to identify where the opportunities are to increase local seafood supply within existing sustainability and regulatory frameworks
• For several fisheries in WA, FRDC project 2013-711.30 described the species, catching practices and volumes, as well as pricing; highlighting opportunities for underutilised, undervalued, and discarded seafood
• Further exploration and ground truthing of these opportunities is needed to understand potential gaps and barriers (i.e. processing, logistical, economic, consumer, and regulatory) as well as identify mechanisms to overcome barriers to enhancing local WA seafood supply

Deliverables

• Revised WA underutilised and undervalued species audit to include processing, logistical, economic, consumer, and regulatory barriers
• Highlight pathways to address identified barriers for species/products that are likely to succeed in enhancing local seafood supply
• Comprehensive extension of outputs to relevant WA stakeholders

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

Western Australia

End user

Commercial fishing sector, Processing sector, Retailers, Consumers

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources
Outcome 5. Community trust, respect and value

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2016-224 Boosting fisher returns through smart value adding and greater use of underutilised species
• 2013-711.30 Seafood CRC: new opportunities for underutilised species
• 2013-711.40 Seafood CRC: new opportunities for seafood processing waste
• 2017-185 A review of projects concerned with improved exploitation of underutilised species

Title

Quantifying Indigenous and recreational (including charter) catch of key commercial species in the Southern Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery: A workshop approach

Need

• Indigenous and recreational catches are largely unknown for several Southern Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) species: Jackass Morwong, Redfish, Silver Trevally, Blue Eye Trevalla, Blue Warehou, and John Dory. This presents a challenge for the assessment and potential re-building of these species given these data limitations.
• Understanding Indigenous and recreational (and charter) catches of key commercial species is important to quantifying the total catch of these species and relative contributions of fisheries to changes in local abundance and availability.
• Improved Indigenous and recreational catch data for these species can provide additional valuable information regarding the level of interaction between fisheries. This information can also inform decision making and resource sharing arrangements.
• Exploring and better understanding all user groups’ needs and current knowledge of stocks, pressures, and opportunities to improve data collection is a common goal across all users and jurisdictions. Making the time and space (through facilitated workshop) to allow these discussions and information to be exchanged will allow the development of new approaches and deliver for multiple jurisdictions and stakeholder needs.
• Understanding and accommodating all key stakeholders needs and expectations in such a discussion is challenging. Developing an appropriate and effective framework to facilitate these discussions will be of great benefit to multiple jurisdictions and stakeholders in the future.
• Using the SESSF as a multi-jurisdiction case study, this project will provide the opportunity to explore and develop best practice approach to such workshops.

Deliverables

A facilitated workshop to bring together all relevant Southeast Australian stakeholders to:

• Understand what current data sources are available for Indigenous and recreational catch including the frequency of collection.
• Based on (1), what impact could these catches have on stock trends using the SESSF as a case study. This could include a collation of readily available data sources to compare against current stock assessment assumptions to improve the understanding of the potential catch on abundance/availability of relevant species.
• Review gaps in information and how these data gaps could be filled efficiently, effectively, and accurately.
• Obtain an understanding of each jurisdictions/sectors needs and expectations about future management of key shared resources to share with the AFMF.
• Provide recommendations on how Indigenous, recreational and charter catch data might be collected, standardised, and integrated into assessment and subsequent decision-making.

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

Commonwealth, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania

End user

Managers, Researchers, Modelers, Indigenous, Recreational, Commercial fishers

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for Enduring Prosperity
Outcome 2. Best Practices and Productions Systems
Outcome 4. Fair and Equitable Access to Aquatic Resources
Outcome 5. Community Trust, Respect and Value

Other

AFMA is supportive of this work and can provide in-kind support through steering group/ data /access to consultive forums etc.

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2011-036 RFIDS: a coordinated national data collection for recreational fishing in Australia
• 2017-198 Assess new technologies and techniques that could improve the cost-effectiveness and robustness of recreational fishing surveys
• 2018-016 Improving data on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander marine resource use to inform decision-making
• 2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional subsistence fishing) in the Torres Strait in order to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods

Title

Fisher Observations of Change – Capturing the local ecological knowledge: A Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery case study

Need

Understanding climate variability and change and their impacts on commercial (and recreational) fish stocks is a challenge facing all Australian fisheries jurisdictions. A lack of historical data at the appropriate spatial scales to explain the effect of different environmental variables on catch rates and stock status is a common problem for managers, researchers and stakeholders when interpreting model outputs, catch and effort trends etc. One valuable source of information to fill this knowledge gap, that has had limited exploration in Australia to date, are perspectives, observations, and data collected and held by the fishing operators themselves.

There is a need to understand what information fishers are able to provide and over what temporal and spatial scales, and their congruency with quantitative data sets of climate, oceanography, catch and effort etc. This will assist in understanding the suitability of this information being used in management decisions.

It is recommended to use the Southeast region and Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery as a case study fishery given:

• It is in a climate hotspot
• Several species are already impacted by changing climate conditions
• The region includes multiple jurisdictions
• Commonwealth commercial fishing operators have indicated indicative support to participate in this work

Deliverables

• Undertake an audit of what information fishers can provide and over what temporal and spatial scales
• Work with fishers to assess standardisation requirements to account for potential recall bias etc.
• Work with fishers to assess whether information streams have sufficient granularity to compare with catch and effort, climate, and/or oceanographic data
• Assess and the suitability of complied fisher knowledge for use in making management decisions
• Where appropriate, develop robust and structured approaches (i.e. workshops, interviews, and survey methods) to collect fisher knowledge to provide semi-quantitative and/or qualitative data streams

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

Commonwealth – with likely benefits to other jurisdictions

End user

Managers; Researchers; Modelers; Commercial fishers

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 2. Best Practices and Productions Systems
Outcome 4. Fair and Equitable Access to Aquatic Resources
Outcome 5. Community Trust, Respect and Value

Other

AFMA is supportive of this work and can provide in-kind support through steering group/ data /access to consultive forums etc.

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2016-059 Guidance on Adaptation of Commonwealth Fisheries management to climate change
• 1997-114 Synthesis of industry information on fishing patterns, technological change and the influence of oceanographic effects on fish stocks in the South East Fishery

Title

Improving juvenile Tropical Oyster survival in the nursery

Need

Tropical oyster cultivation (both pearl and rock oyster species) is an important component of the Northern Territory’s current and developing aquaculture industry. For tropical oysters, significant progress has been made in reducing mortality during the larval cycle from fertilized eggs to juvenile oysters (spat). Despite these developments in hatchery production technologies, spat still suffer significant (up to 100%) mortality in the nursery stage. Traditional bacteriological and histopathological techniques have failed to identify clear drivers of these spat productivity issues. Spat survival through the nursery stage is a major bottleneck for both developing and existing commercial oyster production in Northern Australia.

A holistic research approach is needed to increase survivorship and improve production reliability for tropical oyster spat producers. Spat have naïve immune defenses and when they emerge from the relatively “sterile” hatchery setting, they have a very specific (and functionally limited) resident microbiome. A growing body of global research (Fallett et al. 2022) suggests that the composition of hatchery-reared spat microbiota is likely a major factor in poor resilience when spat are transferred to nursery systems.

A whole-of-system approach may include investigation of the microbial drivers of spat productivity in the nursery stage and/or exploration of novel techniques, such as probiotics or pre-deployment microbiome inoculation to improve tropical oyster spat resilience through manipulation of the resident microbiota.

Deliverables

• Report on the microbiome, immunology and stress-tolerance of tropical oyster spat.
• Surveillance tools for assessing stress in spat and presence of pathogens
• Optimised environmental conditions for nursery systems.

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

Northern Territory

End user

Aquaculture scientists and managers; Indigenous; Commercial hatcheries

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 2. Best practices in production systems
Outcome 3. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking

Other

The research priority would build on insights and approaches from FRDC and external projects - including:

• 2021-019 Future proofing the northern Australia aquaculture industry need for skilled staff to 2050
• 2020-043 Toxigenic vibrio baselines and optimum storage, transport and shelf-life conditions to inform cold supply chains in the north Australian Tropical Rock Oyster industry
• 2003-209 Seafood CRC: Sydney rock oysters: overcoming constraints to commercial scale hatchery and nursery production
• CRCNA project A.2.1819053 Northern Australian Tropical Rock Oyster research and development

Title

Investigating better options for Fishing Tour Operator (Charter) fishing data capture systems: knowledge requirements and innovative recording systems

Need

Charter fisheries throughout Australia provide important recreational fishing experiences to local and visiting anglers. They also contribute to the economic and social fabric of many of Australia’s coastal and riverine communities. However, charter-based fisheries are by nature characteristically multi-species operations that pose challenges to effective management. Accurately assessing resource impacts is challenging due to limitations in the quality and quantity of data collected, as well as the systems employed for data capture and analysis. At the same time, charter fisheries are often used (at least partially) as a proxy for recreational fishing due to the challenges and costs associated with recreational fishing survey programs.

There is a need to improve the type and quality of data collected from charter fisheries to establish more accurate and robust fisheries management and monitoring strategies. Current data collection methods often rely on logbook reporting by charter operators and data capture inconsistencies, logbook non-compliance and incomplete submissions are commonplace. This compromises the accuracy of stock assessments, making it difficult to determine actual resource use levels in a multi-species, multi-sector context.

To address these challenges, it is imperative to better understand critical data needs and the behavioural and compliance challenges involved with successful uptake of data collection. This will assist in the design and implementation of improved approaches for capturing data from charter fisheries and/or via fishery independent programs.

Incorporating behavioural change as well as advancements in technology, such as electronic reporting systems, remote sensing, and adoption of AI tools could significantly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of data collection, noting that FTO client privacy issues also need to be considered.

These technologies can facilitate real-time data transmission, reducing the reliance on manual reporting and allowing for more precise catch reporting and species identification.

By embracing innovation and/or eliciting behavioural change, the intention is to overcome the “limitations” of traditional data collection approaches and enable resource managers to make informed decisions that align with conservation objectives while still supporting the recreational fishing industry.

While the need focuses specifically on the charter sector, there is an opportunity to factor in a comparable analysis for inshore coastal commercial fisheries with similar characteristics to broaden the benefit of the work. Top of Form

Deliverables

• Understanding behaviours and practicalities that improve data collection approaches for charter fisheries.
• Literature review to identify if and how these challenges are addressed nationally and internationally in charter fisheries.
• A workshop with local, national, and international expertise to validate challenges and potential solutions that would improve data contributions from the charter sector (to involve industry and user perspectives).
• The workshop process would be followed by a targeted case study design phase focusing on the (but not necessarily exclusively) the Northern Territory’s Fishing Tourism Sector and specifically the Bluewater component of that fishery to design a data collection program better able to inform the management of coastal reef fish species.

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

Northern territory – though aspects are expected to have national relevance

End user

Charter fishery operators (the Northern Territory Guided Fishing Industry Association), Management agencies

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 2. Best Practices and Productions Systems
Outcome 4. Fair and Equitable Access to Aquatic Resources
Outcome 5. Community Trust, Respect and Value

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2018-154 A market research-driven and co-management approach to developing an industry strategy for the SA Charter Boat Fishery
• 2017-198 Assess new technologies and techniques that could improve the cost-effectiveness and robustness of recreational fishing surveys
• 2019-078 Fishing for change: A social marketing approach to reduce the recreational harvest of Snapper and Pearl Perch in Queensland

Title

Toxicological studies of nodularin to underpin risk management of seafood in the Gippsland Lakes

Need

• There is a history of cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena blooms in Gippsland Lakes that results in the production of the potent nodularin toxin.
• Significant toxic events have occurred with each outbreak of nodularin in the lakes system, impacting on seafood production, commercial fishing in the Gippsland Lakes and offshore, as well as recreational fishing and tourism.
• Current risk assessments related to nodularin toxicity in the region have identified knowledge gaps around the toxicity of nodularin, which compromises the accuracy and effectiveness of risk management procedures currently in place.
• There is a need to address this knowledge gap to support an improved risk assessment for nodularin in seafood and updated risk management procedures to protect human health as well as recreational fisher experiences and commercial viability.

Deliverables

• Determine acute toxicity and no observed adverse effect level and potential for chronic toxicity of nodularin in a model seafood species, such as Sydney Rock Oyster.
• Develop a risk assessment for nodularin in seafood and updated risk management procedures.

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

Victoria

End user

VFA, Prime safe and DEECA, Victorian Health, Commercial fishers and aquaculturists, Recreational fishers, Consumers

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 2. Best practices in production systems
Outcome 3. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking
Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources
Outcome 5. Community trust, respect and value

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2013-217 Development of management recommendations to assist in advisories around seafood safety during toxic bloom events in Gippsland Lakes

Title

Determine the risk that Southern Rock Lobster fishing act as a vector of transmission of the Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis

Need

• Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) is now endemic to Victorian marine waters, with outbreaks expected in the future.
• Southern Rock Lobster fishing is currently considered a high-risk activity in transmitting AVG. As such, control measures imposed on infected areas include prohibiting Rock Lobster fishing.
• In Victoria, AVG outbreaks cause significant disruption to the Southern Rock Lobster Fishery by preventing access to productive and important rock lobster fishing ground.
• The Southern Rock Lobster Fishery has suffered financial loss and market access issues over the last three to four years due to bushfires, COVID-19 and economic trade disputes with China.
• It is essential to understand the risk of spreading AVG via Southern Rock Lobster fishing activity to ensure fisheries management practices can minimise further impacts on this and the abalone fishery.
• Outbreaks of AVG in Victoria are near the South Australian border. Several Southern Rock Lobster vessels operate across Victorian and South Australian fisheries, thereby potentially risking spread across jurisdictions.

Deliverables

• Assess the risk that Southern Rock Lobster fishing operations (the use of pots and fishing vessels) act as a vector of transmission of AVG.
• Assess the risk that commercial fishing nets act as a vector of transmission of AVG (as a potential value add).

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

Victoria – with potential benefits to other jurisdictions

End user

Victorian Rock Lobster fishery; Victorian Abalone Fishery; Commercial and recreational fishers

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 2. Best practices in production systems

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2020-076 Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) R&D Needs Workshop
• 2006-243 Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: development of management strategies for herpes-like virus infection of abalone

Title

Impacts of seismic arrays on Southern Rock Lobster in shallow near-shore environments

Need

There is significant concern from the Southern Rock Lobster (SRL) industry in Victoria regarding proposed marine seismic survey activity between the shoreline out to 3 nautical miles in the West of the State. The viability of the State’s most valuable commercial fishery is reliant on stock densities of SRL in near shore environments and to date there is little knowledge regarding impacts of seismic air gun exposure to various life cycle stages of SRL on shallow reefs in Southern Australia.

The results of the recent research (FRDC project 2019-051) showed there is a persistent impact on the ability of juveniles and puerulus to right themselves due to damage to the mechanosensory statocyst organ which provides the sense of balance critical for predator avoidance behaviour. Juveniles exposed at close range to the air gun source also showed an increased intermoult duration, indicating impaired development or growth. Another study showed that air guns used in seismic surveys suppress total haemocyte count of spiny lobsters for up to 120 days post-exposure, suggesting a chronic negative impact on immune competency (FRDC project 2012-008). These results indicate a degree of sensitivity of lobster to seismic arrays whereby exposure is likely to affect long term patterns of survivability and recruitment.

Research undertaken through project 2019-051 was conducted in conjunction with a commercial seismic project in 50-60m water depth, much deeper than the inshore areas proposed in Western Victoria. At present a knowledge gap exists on the correlation between water depth and impacts of seismic arrays to both the health and survivability of SRL at various life stages.

There is also a need to better understand how physiological impairment to adult SRL may influence their behaviour and likelihood of being caught through traditional commercial fishing methods. This information may have increased relevance in Australia given areas proposed for offshore renewable energy infrastructure and the requirement for seismic surveying to identify suitable substrates.

Deliverables

• Laboratory and/or field-based studies (where Southern Rock Lobster are endemic) to assess changes in physiology and behaviour of the following life cycle stages when exposed to seismic arrays in shallow near-shore environments:
  • Larvae
  • Puerulus
  • Juveniles / Sub Adults
  • Adults
• Modelling to predict the impacts of seismic array exposure in near shore environments to longer-term patterns in SRL survival and reproduction that influence population recruitment.
• Research to determine how impacts to behaviour in adult SRL following exposure to seismic arrays influences catch rates using traditional commercial fishing methods.

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

Victoria; South Australia; Tasmania (Southern Rock Lobster IPA)

End user

Southern Rock Lobster licence and quota holders; Department of Climate Change, Energy, State Government agencies; Offshore oil, gas, and renewable energy developers; Peak bodies and rock lobster representative bodies (including Southern Rock Lobster Limited)

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems
Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2019-051 Examining the potential impacts of seismic surveys on Octopus and larval stages of Southern Rock Lobster
• 2012-008 Assessing the impact of marine seismic surveys on southeast Australian scallop and lobster fisheries

Title 

Developing an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework for fisheries and aquaculture

Need 

• Australian fisheries and aquaculture have long been a world leader in activating key sustainability monitoring initiatives such as the Status for Australian Fish Stocks.
• There is a need to build upon and consolidate these initiatives through the development of a wholistic Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework that accounts for government, investor, and consumer ESG trends and expectations.
• The successful team will work with FRDC and an expert working group to:
  • Identify what the unifying purpose of the ESG framework will be
  • Identify global and national drivers that will shape and inform it
  • Understand how it may relate to other ESG frameworks (part of, compatible with, separate to)
  • Identify recommendations on how to bring it into being and activate it
• Recommendations must consider future scenarios that will allow fishing and aquaculture to be optimally positioned. The framework must also be fit for purpose for all fishing and aquaculture users.

Deliverables 

·   Building on and learning from earlier work (see ‘Other’ section below), the successful team will:  

• Identify and clearly describe the purpose for a fishing and aquaculture ESG framework covering all sectors (Indigenous, commercial wild catch, recreational fishing, aquaculture), including determination of intended clients/audience for the reporting
• Summarise global treaties, agreements, and commitments that Australia is signatory to that are likely to have consequence for fishing and aquaculture’s ESG reporting requirements, and identify consequences
• Review existing international and Australian ESG frameworks that are relevant to fishing and aquaculture, and identify good practice
• Determine whether existing frameworks may be appropriate for adoption, or whether a separate framework is more appropriate
• Propose options for a fishing and aquaculture ESG framework that builds on existing systems and data – this could include a proposed phased approach to developing a mature ESG Framework
• Options should include how a fishing and aquaculture ESG framework links to a monitoring and evaluation framework
• Review gaps in existing knowledge products and systems that could inform the options for a ESG framework
• Recommend and rank priorities to address the gaps and establish an ESG framework for fishing and aquaculture

Timing 

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

End user 

Fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders; Product purchasers (including importers); Financial institutions

Jurisdictions 

National

FRDC Outcome(s) 

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity 
Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems 
Outcome 5. Community trust, respect, and value 
Enabling Strategy V. Provide foundational information and support services

Other

This project is linked to FRDC and externally funded activities – including:

• FRDC Status of Australian Fish Stocks Reports
• WhichFish
• GSSI approved 3^rd party certifications: e.g. Marine Stewardship Council, Aquaculture Stewardship Council
• CSIRO Health check
• SIA Our Pledge
• National Recreational Fishing Code of Practise
• FRDC Indigenous Reference Group Principles
• FRDC Submission to House Standing Committee on Agriculture Inquiry: Strengthening and Safeguarding Food Security in Australia
• UK Seafish responsible sourcing resources
• Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework
• Australian Farm Institute Sustainability publications
• Global review: Incentivising small and medium scale aquaculture businesses to measure and report Environmental, Social and Governance outcomes
• Futures of Seafood project
• Neatfish sustainability score card
• Nature Positive Plan
• AIA ESG State of Play Report

Title

External review of independent fisheries data validation options, uses, and opportunities 

Need

• The commercial fishing industry recognise the need for greater transparency in fisheries activities. This is, in part, linked to an increased need for independent fisheries data validation to meet various reporting and monitoring requirements, to build trust in assessment of fisheries sustainability status, as well as to improve social license.
• Historically fisheries observers have been the primary tool to independently validate logbook reported catch. However, this is expensive and alternative approaches to independent fisheries data validation are being explored (such as onboard camera systems).
• There is considerable uncertainty for jurisdictions/fisheries starting the process of implementing independent data validation, which erodes relationships between industry and management/regulatory agencies.
• While some jurisdictions are starting the process of implementing independent data validation, others have been operating in these systems for extended periods and are likely to provide a ‘lived’ perspective.
• Previous research has demonstrated that the most successful catch monitoring programs are collaborations between industry, scientists, enforcement officers, managers, and technologists at the beginning of the project, which leads to an understanding of each other’s perspectives and expectations, and a more resilient program (Sylvia et al. 2016)

Sylvia, G., Harte, M., & Cusack, C. (2016). Challenges, opportunities, and costs of electronic fisheries monitoring. The Environmental Defense Fund Report, 30 pp.

Deliverables

• To reduce uncertainty, improve confidence, and restore relationships among stakeholders there is a need to:
  • Confirm attitudes, expectations and/or behavioural responses identified in existing studies regarding the implementation of independent data validation approaches
  • Review the range of available approaches to independent fisheries data validation (domestic and international) and their relative strengths and weaknesses (including costs)
  • Outline the policy/regulatory and legal considerations on implementing independent data validation (including data governance and accessibility)
  • Identify potential ‘value-added’ opportunities through the adoption of independent data validation approaches
• Projects addressing this research priority will extend outputs broadly to all relevant stakeholder groups

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

National

End user

Industry, Fisheries managers, Researchers, AFMF Electronic Monitoring Working Group

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems
Outcome 3. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking
Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources
Outcome 5. Community trust, respect, and value

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2017-134 Progressing the National Fisheries Digital Data Framework - Industry consultation
• 2009-048 Electronic on board monitoring pilot project for the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery
• 2009-048.20 Development and cost-benefit analysis of an electronic observer system to monitored a remote small vessel commercial fishery

Title

Impacts of electromagnetic fields associated with offshore wind infrastructure on commercially and recreationally important marine species

Need

• Several studies have been undertaken globally on the interaction between electromagnetic fields (EMFs) associated with offshore electricity production and physiological and/or behavioural characteristics of marine fauna.
• For example, lobsters and crabs use geomagnetic fields for navigation and homing behaviour and have been shown to demonstrate varied responses to different EMF strengths. These behavioural impacts hold implications not only for natural migration processes, but also for commercial fishing yields reliant on decades of experience that has led to a more efficient catch i.e., established fishing grounds where operators return to fish. Other examples of demonstrated impacts on marine fauna include disrupted circadian rhythm, altered metabolic cycles and reduced haemocyte counts.
• The findings to date have been species specific and linked to various stages of life cycle. This highlights why further study is required to better understand potential impacts of EMFs associated with an emerging offshore energy sector on magneto-receptive and electro-receptive species in Australia.

Example references:

• Hutchison, Z.L., D.H. Secor, and A.B. Gill. 2020. The interaction between resource species and electromagnetic fields associated with electricity production by offshore wind farms. Oceanography 33(4):96–107, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2020.409.
• U.S. Offshore Wind Synthesis of Environmental Effects Research. 2022. Electromagnetic Field Effects on Marine Life. Report by National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, Wind Energy Technologies Office. Available at https://tethys.pnnl.gov/seer.

Deliverables

• Comprehensive review of available primary and secondary literature and data that assesses:
  • Sources and strengths of EMFs in the marine environment
  • Changes to biological and ecological processes of marine species when exposed to EMFs
  • Potential mitigations to reduce the impacts of EMFs
• Risk assessment of Australian fisheries species to increased EMF exposure – e.g. based on species’ magneto- and electro-receptivity, the likelihood of encountering EMFs
• Appropriate extension materials for stakeholder groups. These would also inform Government and Private Sector planning for offshore renewable energy infrastructure that protects commercial and recreational fishing interests

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

National

End user

Commercial, Indigenous, and recreational fishers; Regulators; Seafood industry and recreational fishing peak bodies; Offshore wind project developers; Community

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 2. Best Practices and Productions Systems
Outcome 4. Fair and Equitable Access to Aquatic Resources
Outcome 5. Community Trust, Respect and Value

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2022-104 Review and quantify the cumulative effects of expanding industrial coastal developments and emerging offshore renewable energy on the fishing industry in WA
• 2017-186 Oil and Gas: National coordination - seismic and other issues

Title

Minor use permit for amoxycillin for freshwater finfish

Need

Amoxycillin is a semi-synthetic penicillin with particular sensitivity against gram-positive bacteria and some gram-negative bacteria. Amoxycillin is a bactericidal, bacterial wall synthesis inhibitor. In Australia, there are no existing permits or labels to treat susceptible bacterial infections in freshwater finfish with the same mode of action. Inhibition of bacterial infections should be a multi-level approach with different antibiotics (with different modes of action) to cover a larger range of bacterial species and minimise antibiotic resistance.

A minor use permit (MUP) for amoxycillin in Australian freshwater finfish aquaculture would help decrease finfish mortality, improve finfish welfare and aquaculture production. This project would benefit multiple freshwater finfish aquaculture industries in Australia.

Deliverables

Finalise data package and submit a MUP application to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the use of amoxycillin products (CCD Amoxycillin Trihydrate for poultry - 36443 and A.F.S Amoxcilin Soluble Amoxycillin - 39558) to treat susceptible bacterial infections in freshwater finfish.

Pre-Application Assistance (PAA) written advice for this project has been obtained from the APVMA and is available upon request to assist the applicant. In summary, the following data modules are required (https://apvma.gov.au/node/49266):

• Detailed description of Toxicology and Work Health Safety Assessment to establish hazard-based safety directions for minor use label (Health 5 Module).
• Detailed description of published residues information under Residues 2 Module.
• Environmental assessments for veterinary medicinal products following VICH GL6 Phase I and VICH GL38 Phase II guidelines (Environment 3 Module) from literature.
• Data package or valid scientific argument relating to efficacy and target animal safety, particularly for Australian use environments. (Efficacy and Target Animal Safety 3 Module)
• Special Data 2 Module may be required (determination of risk to antibiotic resistance).

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 15 JANUARY 2024

End user

All freshwater finfish aquaculture industries and aquatic veterinarians in Australia.

Jurisdictions

All jurisdictions

FRDC R&D Plan Outcome

Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems.
Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources.

This project also aligns with Activity 6.2 of AQUAPLAN 2022-2027: Aquatic animal minor use permit applications.

Other

Please contact Fisheries Research Development Corporation for more information regarding PAA written advice and to obtain the excel spreadsheet template “Project Budget 2023” that must be completed and submitted with the FishNet application.

More information regarding specific Quality, Safety and Efficacy VICH guidelines can be found here: Analytical validation (vichsec.org)

This project is linked to FRDC 2020-094: Improving the availability of safe and effective veterinary medicines for Australia's seafood industry  (https://frdc.com.au/project/2020-094).

Title

Minor use permit for amoxycillin for marine finfish

Need

Amoxycillin is a semi-synthetic penicillin with particular sensitivity against gram-positive bacteria and some gram-negative bacteria. Amoxycillin is a bactericidal, bacterial wall synthesis inhibitor. In Australia, there are no existing permits or labels to treat susceptible bacterial infections in marine finfish with the same mode of action. Inhibition of bacterial infections should be a multi-level approach with different antibiotics (with different modes of action) to cover a larger range of bacterial species and minimise antibiotic resistance.

A minor use permit (MUP) for amoxycillin in Australian marine finfish aquaculture would help decrease finfish mortality, improve finfish welfare and aquaculture production. This project would benefit multiple marine finfish aquaculture industries in Australia.

Deliverables

Finalise data package and submit a MUP application to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the use of amoxycillin products (CCD Amoxycillin Trihydrate for poultry - 36443 and A.F.S Amoxcilin Soluble Amoxycillin - 39558) to treat susceptible bacterial infections in marine finfish.

Pre-Application Assistance (PAA) written advice for this project has been obtained from the APVMA and is available upon request to assist the applicant. In summary, the following data modules are required (https://apvma.gov.au/node/49266):

• Detailed description of Toxicology and Work Health Safety Assessment to establish hazard-based safety directions for minor use label (Health 5 Module).
• Detailed description of published residues information under Residues 2 Module.
• Environmental assessments for veterinary medicinal products following VICH GL6 Phase I and VICH GL38 Phase II guidelines (Environment 3 Module) from literature.
• Data package or valid scientific argument relating to efficacy and target animal safety, particularly for Australian use environments. (Efficacy and Target Animal Safety 3 Module)
• Special Data 2 Module may be required (determination of risk to antibiotic resistance).

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 15 JANUARY 2024

End user

All marine finfish aquaculture industries and aquatic veterinarians in Australia.

Jurisdictions

All jurisdictions

FRDC R&D Plan Outcome

Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems.
Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources.

This project also aligns with Activity 6.2 of AQUAPLAN 2022-2027: Aquatic animal minor use permit applications.

Other

Please contact Fisheries Research Development Corporation for more information regarding PAA written advice and to obtain the excel spreadsheet template “Project Budget 2023” that must be completed and submitted with the FishNet application.

More information regarding specific Quality, Safety and Efficacy VICH guidelines can be found here:  Analytical validation (vichsec.org)

This project is linked to FRDC project “2020-094: Improving the availability of safe and effective veterinary medicines for Australia's seafood industry” (https://frdc.com.au/project/2020-094).

Title

Minor use permit for copper sulfate for marine finfish

Need

Copper sulfate penthydrate is an inorganic salt, effective against bacteria, fungal and parasite infections. Copper sulfate pentahydrate results in non-specific denaturing of proteins.

A minor use permit (MUP) for copper sulfate pentahydrate in marine finfish would help decrease finfish mortality, improve finfish welfare and aquaculture production. This project would be beneficial to multiple marine finfish aquaculture industries in Australia.

Deliverables

Finalise data package and submit a MUP application to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the use of copper sulfate pentahydrate to treat bacterial, fungal and parasite infections in marine finfish.

Pre-Application Assistance (PAA) written advice for this project has been obtained from the APVMA and is available upon request to assist the applicant. In summary, the following data modules are required (https://apvma.gov.au/node/49266):

• Limited chemistry assessment required, including certificate of analysis and compliance with constituent standards (Chemistry 3 Module).
• Detailed description of Toxicology and Work Health Safety Assessment to establish hazard-based safety directions for minor use label (Health 5 Module).
• Detailed description of published residues information under Residues 5 Module.
• Environmental assessments for veterinary medicinal products (following VICH GL6 Phase I and VICH GL38 Phase II guidelines - Environment 3 Module) from literature are required for uses other than closed aquaculture systems.
• Data package or valid scientific argument relating to efficacy and target animal safety, particularly for Australian use environments (Efficacy and Target Animal Safety 3 Module).

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 15 JANUARY 2024

End user

All marine finfish aquaculture industries and aquatic veterinarians in Australia.

Jurisdictions

All jurisdictions

FRDC R&D Plan Outcome

Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems.
Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources.

This project also aligns with Activity 6.2 of AQUAPLAN 2022-2027: Aquatic animal minor use permit applications.

Other

Please contact Fisheries Research Development Corporation for more information regarding PAA written advice and to obtain the excel spreadsheet template “Project Budget 2023” that must be completed and submitted with the FishNet application.

More information regarding specific Quality, Safety and Efficacy VICH guidelines can be found here:  Analytical validation (vichsec.org)

This project is linked to FRDC project “2020-094: Improving the availability of safe and effective veterinary medicines for Australia's seafood industry” (https://frdc.com.au/project/2020-094).

Title

Capability and capacity: Navigating leadership pathways in fishing and aquaculture

Need

Leadership capability and capacity is fundamental to driving change and creating great workplaces, culture and communities. The research aims to address the importance of leadership in driving change and creating positive environments in fishing and aquaculture. 

Leadership is not limited to senior or industry roles. People lead (and learn) differently and fishing and aquaculture has well established programs to develop leadership capability, social capital and trust, through group and individually supported opportunities. 

Not everyone can (or will) undertake a leadership program. This may be impacted by a lack of clarity regarding how leadership opportunities may interconnect and align with career pathways, or of the advantages they offer individuals, sectors, jurisdictions and the fishing and aquaculture community. Programs are often perceived as being best undertaken sequentially, which may act as a barrier to participation, potentially restricting leadership capacity and capability development.

There is a need to review and reimagine with the fishing and aquaculture community how to develop leadership pathways through existing programs and beyond (see ‘Other’ section), identifying means to make a broader range of participants aware of accessible development pathways.

The project will review existing leadership development programs with the overriding objective to increase capacity and capability; and specifically to identify connection pathways between programs and determine their benefits for individuals and the broader fishing and aquaculture community with the aim to:

• Establish an inclusive definition of leadership, recognising diversity of thought, action and, industry position
• Identify barriers, gaps, and opportunities for enhancing leadership and increasing diversity through fishing and aquaculture stakeholder engagement
• Identify key leadership capabilities* required in leadership development programs
• Determine gaps in leadership programs in developing capability* across different levels of leadership (e.g. leading self, leading others, leading industry/community)
• Assess leadership programs with a focus on their contribution to developing specific, identified leadership capabilities and enhancing specific, identified capacities*
• Explore and document FRDC leadership program participants career pathways through fishing and aquaculture stakeholder engagement
• Recommend ongoing leadership development and pathways beyond existing programs, such as through self-directed learning, micro-credentials, and post-program engagement, and how these could connect as pathways to other existing programs
• Encourage collaborative investment in leadership capability and capacity through visible pathways
• Enable leaders and leadership programs to be valued and visible to fishing and aquaculture community

By identifying and understanding gaps in leadership development programs and opportunities, the research will provide guidance into how to nurture and develop leaders in the long term.

*Note: alignment with FRDC project 2022-153 Workforce Capability Framework is required to avoid duplication

Deliverables

• Collate FRDC supported and industry supported leadership programs for the fishing and aquaculture community
• A leadership program review of the objectives, methods, and learning outcomes that assesses the effectiveness of FRDC and industry supported programs
• Review the application process and existing feedback/evaluation materials associated with FRDC supported leadership programs to optimise and improve processes to build leadership capability and capacity
• Programs: develop a visual representation pathway (or map etc.) of FRDC supported and industry available leadership programs that provides transparency and accessibility
• People: develop a visual representation showcasing FRDC leadership program participants’ pathways (including demographics, diversity, sector) to showcase the value and variety of leaders
• Provide recommendations for the continued development of leaders beyond or after completing leadership programs, including integrating beyond leadership programs into FRDC extension/technical activities
• Provide comments on how Capability and capacity: Navigating leadership pathways in fishing and aquaculture (in FRDC's November 2023 Open Call for R&D Investment Opportunities) findings can be utilised and integrated

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

End user

Fishing and Aquaculture community; Management agencies; Education providers; Government; External advisors / consultants; FRDC Capability & Capacity Steering Committee

Jurisdictions

National – Capability and Capacity Steering Committee; Human Dimensions Research Coordination program

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 3. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking
Outcome 5. Community trust, respect and value
Enabling strategy 4.  Build capability and capacity
Enabling strategy 5. Provide foundational information and support services

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2022-153 Fishing and Aquaculture Workforce Capability Framework
• 2022-203 Developing a framework to evaluate capability and capacity investment and implementation
• 2022-033 Building capability and capacity of women in recreational fishing: online course development
• 2018-149 2019 review of the FRDC investment in People Development
• 2016-418 National people development: Building education and training pathways for research and development adoption
• 2012-402 Staying Healthy: Industry organisations’ influence on behaviours and services used by fishers
• FRDC supported programs include: National Seafood Industry Leadership Program (NSILP); Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP); Nuffield; Turn the Tide (WISA)
• Available programs (not directly FRDC supported) include: Agrifutures Horizon scholarships; Churchill fellowship; other Australian Rural Leadership Foundation programs; Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program (NFF); Agrifutures Rural Women’s National Program (Acceleration Grant); Western Rock Lobster Development Education Capacity Knowledge Program (DECK)

Title

Capability and Capacity: Understanding diverse learning approaches and knowledge transfer opportunities to inform and enable change

Need

Change is vital for the growth and sustainability of the Australian fishing and aquaculture community. This requires an understanding of how people learn, apply knowledge and adapt, which are fundamental to successfully managing change (Kilpatrick & Johns 2003).

Understanding learning approaches and their connection to knowledge transfer can lead to more successful and less disruptive change processes. Acknowledging unique perspectives and requirements of different groups is also essential to create a more inclusive fishing and aquaculture community. Knowledge transfer in safe positive spaces allows sharing information, expertise, or skills from one person to another, enabling recipients to apply this knowledge in different situations, in turn building capability and capacity across the industry.

Whilst development and educational opportunities are available, offering a variety of ways to enable continuous learning, to attract and retain current and future members of the fishing and aquaculture community is crucial. To achieve this, it is important to understand what is working, and the optimal means to enable learning, and sharing of knowledge to facilitate change in terms of knowledge transfer in an R&D organisational and extension context. This includes leveraging successes by looking beyond agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.

This research project aims to investigate the connection between learning approaches and knowledge transfer and their roles in enabling and sustaining capability and capacity for change. The project seeks to:

• Identify and categorise the prevailing learning approaches within the fishing and aquaculture community - noting needs and preferences of diverse groups, literacy, numeracy, and digital capability challenges –
• Identify the connection between learning approaches to maximise effective knowledge transfer to inform and shape the future of learning
• Review applicable and successful learning and knowledge transfer approaches beyond fishing and aquaculture, identifying those that could effectively be deployed by the fishing and aquaculture community
• Establish a comprehensive understanding of how learning approaches (including their interplay with literacy, numeracy, and digital capability) affect and can enhance knowledge transfer in fishing and aquaculture
• Discover perspectives on how aligning learning approaches with knowledge transfer can enhance individual and collective capability and capacity
• Identify practical strategies and opportunities to use learning approach insights for driving and sustaining change, while respecting and accommodating unique needs of different groups and innovative approaches to adapt to evolving landscapes

This knowledge can serve as a catalyst for effective capability, capacity and change initiatives, while acknowledging unique needs of diverse groups and future generations.

Deliverables

• Recommendations to inform learning and development approaches, program design and delivery findings
• Compilation and analysis of learning and development opportunities in fishing and aquaculture, both informal and formal, in a user-friendly means for improved accessibility and comprehension
• Demonstrated instances of effective learning / knowledge transfer experiences that have resulted in successful change, adoption, skill development and shift in mindset
• Provide recommendations and strategies for leveraging learning style insights to enable learning and positive change in fishing and aquaculture
• Extension activities to share research findings with stakeholders to enable learning and understanding of learning approaches to optimise knowledge transfer in different sector/ industry settings
• Provide comments on how Capability and capacity: Navigating leadership pathways in fishing and aquaculture (in FRDC's November 2023 Open Call for R&D Investment Opportunities) findings can be utilised and integrated in this project

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

End user

Commercial, Indigenous, and recreational fishers; Fisheries managers; Government agencies; Peak bodies; Researchers; Education providers

Jurisdictions

National – Capability and Capacity Steering Committee; Human Dimensions Research Coordination program

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems
Outcome 3. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking
Outcome 5. Community trust, respect and value
Enabling strategy 4.  Build capability and capacity

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2021-095 Designing the integration of extension into research projects: tangible pathways to enhance adoption and impact
• Next Generation - Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council

Title

Building social intelligence: exploring AI tools to anticipate and respond to shifting attitudes and behaviours

Need

A range of providers and platforms are now offering AI analytical services for mining large online datasets and particularly social media sentiment data on people's attitudes and behaviours. Generative AI is furthermore increasing capability in these areas of social analytics to identify and predict processes of social influence.

There is a need to understand what capabilities these new suites of tools offer to understand, anticipate, and potentially influence social change in attitudes, levels of trust and acceptance, and behaviours of those in or affecting fisheries and aquaculture.

At the same time, there is a need to understand the limitations and assumptions of these emerging social analytics tools, including under what circumstances they are appropriate to use and when alternative social research methods are more appropriate. There is a further need is to identify criteria to support potential users in determining if and how to effectively use these emerging AI capabilities for social analytics generate the necessary guidance for fisheries and aquaculture users.

The research need therefore is for a project to:

1. Determine the range of current and emerging AI tools, social influence models, and programs for generating insights into existing, emerging and potential social change
2. Trial and evaluate a range of tools and applications in two to three critical areas where greater social intelligence is needed and feasible – in partnership with FRDC’s Human Dimensions Research (HDR) Coordination program and Transformational Extension & Adoption Program
3. Identify and recommend further strategic opportunities and types of services and programs, as well as responsible use, benchmarking, and quality assurance requirements, for using digital social intelligence tools.

Critical areas may include but are not limited to seafood consumer trends, social acceptability of specific industry practices, recreational fisher preferences. Applicants are encouraged to work with the FRDC’s HDR to discuss potential areas

Deliverables

• A review and comparison of current and emerging AI tools
• Summary reports of the two to three use cases where AI tools were trialled and the findings of their evaluation
• Principles for responsible use of AI for social intelligence for fisheries and aquaculture
• Use guide, which includes (but are not limited too):
  • guidance to determine which and when AI tools meet the relevant need and are appropriate to use
  • basis for benchmarking outputs
  • demonstrations of responsible AI tool applications

Timing

 APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

End user

Industry leaders; Researchers; Extension practitioners; Science communicators

Jurisdictions

National – Human Dimensions Research coordination program; Transformational Extension & Adoption Program; Capability and Capacity Steering Committee

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems
Outcome 3. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking
Outcome 5. Community trust, respect and value
Enabling strategy 1. Drive digitisation and advanced analytics
Enabling strategy 4.  Build capability and capacity

Other

 This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2022-027 Targeting behavioural change in fisheries and aquaculture
• 2017-131 Media messages about sustainable seafood: how do media influencers affect consumer attitudes?

Title

Supporting seafood businesses to diversify into seafood tourism

Need

An analysis of the impacts of the measures taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 revealed that business which were able to diversify into new markets were more able to handle economic shocks.

One diversification pathway for fisheries and aquaculture businesses is through agri-food tourism (i.e., seafood production experiences) and food tourism (i.e., farm gate sales of seafood products), and charter activities. However, some small and medium scale businesses, whilst interested, have asked for support to assess market conditions, financial feasibility and risks, understand regulatory requirements (inclusive of food safety), and develop a sound business case.

The research should draw upon experiences of seafood trails funded by regional or state tourism authorities (e.g., Eyre Peninsula’s Seafood Frontier program, Victoria, Seafood Trails Tasmania), other agri-tourism initiatives, and build on previous FRDC funded projects (i.e., 2017-092 Valuing Victoria's Wild-catch fisheries and aquaculture industries).

Based on interest and engagement, as advised by FRDC EON, the project will work with a selection of interested producers to:

1. Identify the range of seafood tourism business models and determine success factors for different models
2. Document and compare the operating environment and the regulations in each jurisdiction (across production, food safety, tourism) for setting up and maintaining seafood tourism enterprises
3. Identify the business capacity and capability needed, inclusive of skills, assets, and networks (inclusive of digital)
4. Develop decision support tools for seafood operators to undertake a first pass assessment of the potential suitability of different tourism models

Deliverables

• Document the range of seafood and agri-food tourism models and their potential target markets
• Review and synthesis of existing tools/advisory guides for seafood and agri-food tourism
• Comparison of the regulations and business requirements in each jurisdiction (across production, food safety, tourism) for setting up and maintaining seafood tourism enterprises
• List of success factors, capabilities, and enabling conditions for successful seafood tourism businesses
• Tools to support seafood operators in first pass assessment of potential markets, suitability of different tourism models, and business feasibility

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

Jurisdictions

National – Human Dimensions Research Coordination program

End user

 Small and medium scale seafood businesses; Industry associations; Industry cooperatives

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 1. Growth for Enduring Prosperity
Outcome 2. Best Practices and Productions Systems
Outcome 5. Community Trust, Respect and Value.

Other

Title

“Switch a fish”: Changing recreational fishing activity to enhance sustainability outcomes and maintaining recreational fishing amenity

Need

Many fish stocks targeted by recreational fishers are classified as either depleted, depleting, or recovering (from depletion) (SAFS 2020). At times, these declines have required that anglers should either mandatorily or voluntarily change their practices and behaviour to focus fishing effort on alternative species and/or locations as a means of maintaining amenity while rebuilding depleted stocks. However, attempts at fostering anglers to switch fishing activities and behaviours have had mixed success and highlights the need to better understand the conditions necessary to influence change in the recreational fishing community.

Because fisher buy-in to switching strategies are likely to differ considerably across fisheries, it is necessary to better understand the success factors (motivators, conditions, and/or incentives) that influence change.

Reviews of diverse case study fisheries – e.g. west coast demersal (WA), Sand Flathead (Tas), Pearl Perch (Qld), and Snapper (SA) – will provide insights into how recreational fishers have responded to switching strategies and their relative success. These case studies would also aid in understanding angler motivations and acceptance, sustainability outcomes, as well as potential unintended consequences. 

Identifying the conditions for positive outcomes will build a greater understanding of the applicability of switching strategies to deliver positive social and ecological outcomes.

Deliverables

• Catalogue and evaluate the range of switching strategies used to influence change in recreational fishing behaviour. Consideration should be given to angler motivations, sustainability objectives, and mandatory versus voluntary arrangements etc.
• An evaluation of the factors in which switch strategies work to support behavioural change, informed by diverse case studies.
• Recommendations on how switching strategies can effectively meet regulatory objectives as well as fisher values/aspirations.

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

End user

Recreational fishing sector; Peak bodies; Fisheries managers

Jurisdictions

National – RecResearch Coordination program; Human Dimensions Research Coordination program

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 3. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking   
Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources
Outcome 5. Community trust, respect, and value

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2019-078 Fishing for change: A social marketing approach to reduce the recreational harvest of Snapper and Pearl Perch in Queensland
• 2022-027 Targeting behavioural change in fisheries and aquaculture
• 2018-161 National Social and Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers 2019
• 2021-116 Recreational fishers in Tasmania: understanding experiences, behaviours, drivers, communication needs and change factors

Title

Citizen science guidelines in recreational fishing

Need

• Over the last 15–20 years, natural resource management professionals and citizens alike have shown increased interest in citizen science. Drivers for this trend have included shifts towards consultative approaches and co-management, recognition of the value of local ecological knowledge and development of analytical methods for its inclusion in scientific research. Research involving recreational fishers has been part of this general trend towards citizen science, with contributions across species, habitats, and issues (such as water quality).
• Citizen science can be an effective way of involving recreational fishers in fisheries science, engendering stewardship, augmenting the capacity of research agencies and institutions, and communicating issues and key factors in decision making. Citizen science also has considerable social value for recreational fishers, who may derive well-being benefits through their contributions to research.
• Increasingly, barriers have emerged that may prevent recreational fishers and fisheries scientists/managers from deriving optimum benefits from citizen science programs. These barriers may be:
  • regulatory (e.g. increasingly stringent limitations on citizen science involving direct interaction with wild animals, including fishes)
  • institutional or perceptual (e.g. scepticism regarding the value or rigour of citizen science data)
  • inherent in citizen science program/project design and implementation (e.g. a lack of clarity regarding citizen science objectives)
• Research under the priority aims to provide citizen science practitioners with guidelines to optimise citizen science engagement and outcomes in the context described above.

Deliverables

• A global “environmental scan” and characterisation of citizen science programs, projects, and frameworks relevant to recreational fishing.
  • This would include considering factors such as: program objectives (“engagement” v. “data collection” – noting the two may be complementary), capacity & capability needs, resourcing, regulatory considerations, utility in informing research & management, participant motivations etc.
  • This scan would also highlight future opportunities (e.g. through digital and technology adoption) for citizen science programs that could benefit recreational fishers
• General steps for designing appropriate citizen science projects/programs for recreational fishers that address pre-determined “engagement” and/or “data-collection” objectives
• Effective extension of project outputs to facilitate adoption by citizen science practitioners. To maximise effectiveness of the extension component, the project should ideally be co-developed with key users of the end products, including the FRDC RecResearch coordination program steering committee, ARFF, fisheries managers, and relevant non-government organisations (NGOs).

Timing

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 FEBRUARY 2024

End user

Recreational fishers; Peak bodies; NRM, fisheries scientists and managers

Jurisdictions

National – RecResearch Coordination program; Human Dimensions Research Coordination program

FRDC Outcome(s)

Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems
Outcome 3. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking   
Outcome 5. Community trust, respect, and value

Other

This project is linked to previous and current FRDC funded activities – including:

• 2019-213 Tackle Box - Fishing at home during Covid 19
• 2018-170 Opportunities and impacts of range extending scalefish species: understanding population dynamics, ecosystem impacts and management needs
• 2011-088 El-Nemo SE: extending the Redmap pilot to south east Australia: using citizen science for engagement and early indication of potential new opportunities