FRDC's 2024-25 Annual Report showcases our commitment to advancing research, development and innovation through our investment of over $40 million in Australia’s fishing and aquaculture sectors.
FRDC’s Annual Report 2024–25 outlines how FRDC has effectively utilised the contributions of the Australian , state and territory governments, the fishing and aquaculture sectors and research providers, in responding to RD&E priorities, over the past year.
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, FRDC investments generated 96 new research, development and extension projects, strategically addressing the diverse priorities of Indigenous communities, commercial enterprises, and recreational fishers, while also completing a further 154 projects, established in previous years.
FRDC’s portfolio boasted an impressive 411 projects as of July 31, driven by the collective efforts of over 1,000 researchers from over 30 research organisations across Australia.
Among the highlights of the work undertaken over the last 12 months was FishSOOP, a successful data collection trial, collection millions of data points from the depth of the ocean in little more than a year.
FRDC also funded a project identifying the biological stock of Silver Trevally (Pseudocaranx georgianus) and Ocean Jackets (Nelusetta ayraud). This work resolved long-standing question regarding the stock structure of two commercially (and, in this case of Silver Trevally, recreationally) important species. This knowledge will enable stock assessment and management to occur at biologically relevant scales.
Another highlight was FRDC partnership with the International Coalition of Fisheries Association (ICFA), to develop the Seafood Nutrition Toolkit, that delivered a range of consumer collateral to promote the health benefits of seafood. The toolkit was developed from ‘The Health Benefits of Seafood – Evidence Based Science’, authored by Dr Wendy Hunt and Professor Alexandra McManus – check it out here.
Additionally, FRDC undertook various research and extension activities aimed at understanding the contributions and challenges faced by women and young people in the seafood sector, enhanced leadership capabilities and increased participation. These initiatives included continued support for Women in Seafood Australasia’s Turn the Tide Program, and continued funding for Agrifutures Horizon Scholarship and the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program.
As part of our ongoing commitment to developing and communicating science, FRDC endorsed several conferences and events across Australia, such as Seafood Directions 2024, The first-ever Australian Sea Country Conference, and Tasmanian’s Seafood Industry Council’s Marquee at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival.
Another exciting highlight from the financial year was FRDC’s FishTank initiative – an interactive session held at Seafood Directions and showcasing a range of FRDC funded research projects.
FRDC’s research partners from across Australia brought their work to life in unique ways, including virtual reality experiences with artificial reefs, live demonstrations of tuna longlining, opportunities to taste test jellyfish, and even a climate-themed game of (sea)snakes and ladders!
Look out for the second edition of FishTank at next year’s Seafood Directions!
In addition, FRDC continued to fund bursaries for stakeholders to attend conferences both domestically and internationally, with participants giving resounding feedback on the beneficial opportunities for networking and learning without the distractions of their daily activities.
For a detailed look at our Annual Report 2024-25, click here.
Please note that an earlier version of the Annual Report 2024-25 available on FRDC’s website had incorrect details in a table on page 25. These have been corrected.
