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Industry

The bigger blue potential for Asparagopsis: A review of the potential for blue carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and biodiversity credits for the Australian Asparagopsis seaweed industry

Project number: 2023-190
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $120,000.00
Principal Investigator: Robert A. Bell
Organisation: Blueshift Consulting
Project start/end date: 19 Jun 2024 - 30 Dec 2024
Contact:
FRDC

Need

The project will provide a comprehensive and contemporary synthesis of relevant information on C, N& P uptake and B creation potential and existing and potential schemes which could be implemented to provide environmental benefits and commercial opportunities for the nascent industry to develop. It will involve: delivering a detailed review of existing research, theories and proposed policies for C, N&P and B schemes; producing a set of recommendations for regulators regarding scheme(s) implementation and operation; and identify potential environmental, social and economic benefits from successful schemes.

Objectives

1. Undertake a detailed literature review and summary of relevant published and grey literature, industry information and anecdotes on: science of C,N&P and B benefits of seaweed mariculture
credit/trading schemes for C,N&P and B structure and operation, implementation requirements.
2. Develop a recommended policy position for ASSA which can be used by ASSA to advocate and make clear recommendations to government on the potential for the Australian seaweed industry to benefit from the establishment of aligned credit schemes, as well as the potential accreditation of products.
3. Provide outlines of potential credit scheme(s) and implementation, including high-level SWOT analysis and cost-benefit indications.
4. Provide the above objectives and outcomes to ASSA/FRDC which can then be readily developed into regulator and other stakeholder communications outputs and tools (e.g. online formats).
People

Investigating drivers of environmental change in Pipe Clay Lagoon

Project number: 2023-176
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $38,400.00
Principal Investigator: Carryn Manicom
Organisation: Marine Solutions Tasmania Pty Ltd
Project start/end date: 15 Sep 2024 - 29 Jun 2025
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Coastal lagoon systems in Tasmania form a fundamental part of coastal ecosystems. Healthy lagoons support local biodiversity, and play a key role in nutrient cycling and flood protection. They provide opportunities for sustainable aquaculture, fishing and tourism, while also being appreciated for their recreational amenity and cultural values. Sustainable management of coastal lagoons is essential to environmental and socioeconomic development.

There is limited information about the ecosystem drivers that are influencing the changes being observed in Pipe Clay Lagoon, leading to knowledge gaps in decision making tools and monitoring strategies required to identify and mitigate these changes. The proposed application is a multifaceted approach to investigate the environmental drivers of change in Pipe Clay Lagoon. The findings can then be used to provide valuable guidance for the management and conservation of other coastal lagoons in Tasmania facing similar challenges, providing a model for proactive monitoring and ongoing sustainability.

The FRDC has a responsibility to ensure that research is undertaken to assist in the management of fisheries and aquaculture resources for ongoing sustainability. The changes being experienced in Pipe Clay Lagoon will have implications on the availability and suitability of the lagoon as a sustainable aquaculture site. The planned approach and objectives of the application align with the FRDC’s R&D Plan for 2020-2025 through:

- Building people's capacity and capability
- Ensuring that resulting knowledge and innovation is adopted for impact through awareness of the needs of the ‘adopter’, local context and effective networking
- Continual improvement and collaboration of industry and community to deliver competitive advantage, healthier ecosystems and community support
- Provision of foundational information

Equally and importantly the application aligns with the NRM Strategy for Southern Tasmania 2030 for Pipe Clay Lagoon and similar systems in that wetland health is improved for socio-economically important systems by working with key partners and encouraging investment in monitoring, land and water management practices and on-ground works.
The enthusiasm of those engaged in the stakeholder consultation process was a strong indication of the need, interest and urgency of the application.

Objectives

1. Characterise and quantify environmental changes in Pipe Clay Lagoon, providing an evidence base for anecdotal observations of change.
2. Understand the drivers and interactions behind observed environmental changes in Pipe Clay Lagoon.
3. Identify management mechanisms to safeguard the values of Pipe Clay Lagoon and other Tasmanian coastal lagoons, including sustainability of the aquaculture industry.
4. Capacity building and increased marine literacy within community and industry to help observe and report change.
5. The applicant would welcome feedback and suggestions from FRDC and/or key beneficiaries for additional objectives.
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