Enhancing the understanding of the value provided to fisheries by man-made aquatic structures
The north west of Western Australia has productive commercial and recreational fisheries and extensive offshore oil and gas (O&G) infrastructure. These man-made structures support a range of demersal and pelagic fishes which are targeted by recreational and commercial fishers. As this O&G infrastructure reaches the end of its productive life, decisions on the best practice option for decommissioning must be made. The current policy for decommissioning requires complete removal. Regulators may support alternative strategies, such as leaving infrastructure in place, if risks and impacts are minimised and there are clear environmental, social and economic benefits to do so. It is thought that removal of infrastructure will decrease catch rates and have negative ecological, economic (direct and downstream) and social consequences.
At the same time as the discussion is occurring about removing O&G infrastructure, there have been large investments in constructing and installing purpose built man-made aquatic structures on the seafloor for the express purpose of enhancing the experience of recreational fishers and SCUBA divers.
There is a need to deliver critical information on: 1) the ecological, economic and social value of these man-made structures to recreational and commercial fishers and other stakeholders; 2) the attitudes of stakeholders to man-made structures; and 3) the opportunities and risks of decommissioning strategies to fishers and other groups (e.g. tourism).
Policy regarding the removal of decommissioned structures will benefit from the increased clarity that this project will provide in regards to data requirements for socio-economic models and stakeholder consultation methods. Comparative assessments of decommissioning options rely on the existence of appropriate socio-economic data, a knowledge gap this project aims to fill. An understanding of the impact of man-made aquatic structures on recreational and commercial fisheries is a global priority, and as such this project has strong international importance and relevance.
Final report
Processing innovation to produce novel, investment ready, WA seafood products
Investigating the use of trace element profiles to substantiate provenance for the Australian prawn industry
NCCP: assessment of options for utilisation of virus infected carp
Recfishing Research Subprogram: Travel bursaries for attendance at the 8th World Recreational Fisheries Conference - Vancouver Canada 2017
Workshop to implement a National Approach to Australian Salmon Market Development and Supply
Seafood CRC: a guide for use by the shark and other fisheries for preparation of information for consumers.
Bev Cooke has identified an issue facing many small to medium seafood businesses, particularly those in regional Australia, where they want to promote their products but do not have the evidence on which to base their marketing and promotion material. This project will develop a 'How to' resource that these businesses can use to develop their own resources that are based on evidence.
Final report
This project aimed to develop ‘how to’ guide for small to medium businesses to assist in navigating the Food Standards Code as well as a simple promotional brochure framework, using Augusta Wild Caught Fisheries to illustrate how it could be used in practice. This guide aims to help small to medium sized seafood businesses to promote and market their products by:
- Outlining the chapters of the Food Standards Code (the Code) that relate to food sold in Australia
- Providing some information about common microbiological testing
- Including a format of a brochure that businesses could use to promote the health benefits of their products.
Small to medium businesses now have a resource to assist them in navigating through the Australian Food Standards Code. This resource will help them to understand the requirements of food labelling within the Code and includes template to assist in developing a marketing brochure.
Seafood CRC: waste transformation methods for value added products for the catering market
Up to 60% of food waste (including seafood waste) is potentially avoidable. In the case of seafood specifically, at least 50% of the fish is generally lost re filleting and damaged crustacea such as rock lobster, crabs and prawn sbring low return to the producer. Often there is a business cost incurred in removing seafood prodessing waste.
Reducing and transforming seafood processing waste seems essential to add profitability where possible to the Australian seafood industry.
This project will use mechanical separation, reforming by alginate and extrusion technologies from other food industries, to try and develop a range of value added products from seafood processing waste.
Final report
Initially a variety of different seafood processing waste products including picked and seconds Blue Swimmer Crabs, Snapper, Atlantic Salmon and various reef fish frames, Patagonian Toothfish frames, Western Rock Lobster legs, headed and gutted shark, low value prawns and headed and gutted Leatherjacket were transported to the Abacus Fisheries facility in Carnarvon. Mechanical separation of seafood protein from these products was optimised with subsequent data generated on recoveries, and compositional and microbiological food safety analyses. These various forms of separated seafood protein were then used for new product development trials.
During the project, a number of new technologies for seafood protein separation, stabilisation and reforming were developed that can be applied generally to seafood processing waste recovery and new product development.