Australian Society for Fish Biology: Scientific networking, early career development, international engagement and 50th celebrations
Australian Society for Fish Biology: Scientific networking, early career development and international engagement
Australian Society for Fish Biology: Promoting scientific exchange and supporting early career researchers
In the face of mounting pressure on Australia’s marine and freshwater ecosystems, arising from environmental and human factors, there is a need for robust scientific information to support the sustainable development and management of our aquatic resources. The Australian Society for Fish Biology (ASFB) is Australia’s premier professional association for fish and fisheries researchers in Australia. The annual science conference (and workshop) makes an important and tangible contribution to skill development of people involved in fish and fisheries research and management, particularly offering students and early career researchers opportunities to present their work, interact with peers, develop collaborative links and obtain new ideas. ASFB has a strong commitment to promoting and communicating science, encouraging sustainable management practices, encouraging excellence in fisheries research, and recognizing outstanding contributions of scientists and professionals through various awards and scholarships.
This proposal is seeking sponsorship support for the annual science conference in 2013 (Hamilton, NZ), 2014 (Darwin) and 2015 (location to be decided but possibly New South Wales) and a series of conference associated awards that support student travel and recognise research excellence. The proposal addresses three people development program goals, namely (i) to encourage knowledge transfer and R&D adoption (ASFB annual science conference) and (ii) to recognise and promote achievements (ASFB student research awards) and (iii) to enhance industry leadership (bringing together a range of people for the annual conference). These activities will encourage participation and exchange of information and provide an opportunity to develop networks and collaborations with outside organisations.
Final report
Australian Society for Fish Biology: promoting scientific exchange and supporting early career researchers
In the face of mounting pressure on Australia’s marine and freshwater ecosystems, arising from environmental and human factors, there is a need for robust scientific information to support the sustainable development and management of our aquatic resources. The Australian Society for Fish Biology (ASFB) is Australia’s premier professional association for fish and fisheries researchers in Australia. The annual science conference (and workshop) makes an important and tangible contribution to skill development of people involved in fish and fisheries research and management, particularly offering students and early career researchers opportunities to present their work, interact with peers, develop collaborative links and obtain new ideas. ASFB has a strong commitment to promoting and communicating science, encouraging sustainable management practices, encouraging excellence in fisheries research, and recognizing outstanding contributions of scientists and professionals through various awards and scholarships.
This proposal is seeking sponsorship support for the annual science conference in 2011 (Townsville) and 2012 (South Australia) and a series of conference associated awards that support student travel and recognise research excellence. The proposal addresses two people development program priorities, namely (i) to encourage knowledge transfer and R&D adoption (ASFB annual science conference) and (ii) to recognise and promote achievements (ASFB research awards). Focus of the latter is clearly on early career researchers, not only in providing encouragement to strive for research excellence but to encourage participation in the exchange of information and to provide opportunity to develop networks and collaborations with outside organisations.
Final report
Sponsorship for 2010 Australian Society for Fish Biology Conference and Symposium
The ASFB Annual Conference is the key opportunity for Fisheries Managers, Researchers, Academics ans Students to come together to discuss issues relating to Fisheries resources and conservation. In particular, the 2010 Conference and Symposium will focus on emerging issues in relation to Climate Change.
While there is a lot of general talk on climate change, this symposium aims to present some credible science and predictions that can be used as a synopsis of the likely impacts on fish and fisheries.
There are likely to be significant climate change impacts on the biological, economic, and social aspects of Australian fisheries and that there is little consolidated knowledge of the potential impacts of climate change. Both positive and negative impacts are expected, and impacts will vary according to changes in the regional environment: south-east fisheries are most likely to be affected by changes in water temperature, northern fisheries by changes in precipitation, and western fisheries by changes in the Leeuwin Current.
There may be new opportunities for some wild fisheries where tropical species shift southward. There will also be many challenges, (such as that faced by the Tasmanian salmon aquaculture industry due to Atlantic salmon being cultivated close to their upper thermal limits of optimal growth). Nevertheless, it is important that there is potential for adaptation measures to be employed by the industry.
There is a need for fisheries and aquaculture management policies to better integrate the effects of climate variability and climate change in establishing harvest levels and developing future strategies. This will enhance the resilience of marine biodiversity and the adaptive capacity of the fisheries and aquaculture industries.
Please refer to the conference sponsorship brochure (attached) to determine if there is an appropriate category for FRDC.
Final report
People Development Program: Visiting Expert – Paul Lumley
The ASFB, through our annual conference and network of members has a forum for exchange of information. For our 2015 conference we are proposing to support the attendance of Paul Lumley the Executive Director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) as a keynote speaker and organise some targeted workshops prior to the conference in Darwin (lead by NT Fisheries, Bo Carne and Charles Darwin University, Alison King) and Mildura (lead by Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Lee Baumgartner & Deb Bogenhuber).
Mr Lumley has been selected as our preferred keynote based on his extensive history working with Northwest US tribes on salmon issues, particularly in the Columbia River Basin. He previously spent 17 years with CRITFC working on biological issues associated with power stations, and has also assisted in fund raising and establishing a grant program for the four Columbia River treaty tribes. Mr Lumley has indicated availability and a preliminary commitment to attend and undertake proposed workshops and present Keynote.
ASFB has a commitment to increase engagement between ASFB members and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, within the scope of the society. We recognise that to support this involves improving opportunities for Indigenous people to engage in research, fisheries management and compliance and other commercial activities. There is a great deal of interest in the ability to develop and start new commercial initiatives that maintain ongoing Indigenous interests and concerns in the fisheries management and industry and environmental rehabilitation. Australian Indigenous experience in commercial fisheries has gained momentum, and many of our members have expressed an interest in learning from International First Nations and Indigenous peoples experience.
We have in principal support for this activity through Indigenous agencies and advisory groups, including the Fisheries Research and Development Corporations Indigenous Reference Group, Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, the Murray Lower Darling Indigenous Nations.
2005 Australian Society for Fish Biology Workshop & 2005 International Barramundi Workshop
Fish movement and migration - an ASFB workshop
Most fish and other exploited aquatic species exhibit movement and / or migrations during some part of their life cycle. In recent years the importance of these migrations to fish and fisheries management has been increasingly realised. Changed fish behaviour due to varying environmental conditions has significant impacts on species availability/catchability and hence the interpretation of abundance indices. In freshwater, improved fish passage is seen as one of the major areas for river rehabilitation to be conducted over the next decade. Spatial models which take into account, explicitly or implicitly, fish movements are now widely used. Recent technological developments allow for greatly improved analysis of the patterns of fish movement and migration. This Australian Society for Fish Biology workshop will be the first time that migration and movement has been considered in a national forum.
The workshop will bring together scientists, managers and other stakeholders with general or specific interests in movement and migration. The workshop will cover theoretical aspects; techniques for measuring movement and migration, particularly new approaches and technologies (such as radio-telemetry, smart tags and otolith micro-chemistry); environmental determinants, barrier and human interference; analysis and input into spatial models; and management implications.
Final report