SCRC: SCRC RTG: Dr Barbara Nowak "Research exchange to the University of Edinburgh and the University of Stirling"
Seafood CRC: optimising business structures and fisheries management systems for key fisheries
The main causes of these major DECLINES IN FISHERY PERFORMANCE are substantial decreases in real prices (prawns, abalone), large increases in costs (all sectors) and, in a few cases, significant reductions in stock size and productivity (rock lobster).
In many fisheries major improvements in economic performance will only be achieved through MAJOR AND INTEGRATED CHANGES in operational procedures, business structures and resource management systems.
Inertia and active to resistance to change, within both government and industry, currently impede the implementation of the CULTURAL SHIFT that is required to revive the CRC’s ecologically-sustainable, but FINANCIALLY-CHALLENGED fisheries.
Major, integrated changes and cultural shifts require a clearly articulated VISION FOR THE FUTURE.
Convincing vision statements require EVIDENCE.
This project will provide the information that is needed for industry and government to develop the joint VISION STATEMENTS that are required to chart a clear pathway to a more profitable future for each selected CRC fishery.
Critical INFORMATION NEEDED TO UNDERPIN EACH VISION STATEMENT that this project will provide includes:
1. Objective assessments of the key FACTORS LIMITING FISHERY PERFORMANCE;
2. Comprehensive evaluations of the OPTIONS FOR INCREASING PROFITABILITY;
3. Clear advice about the COMPLEX AND INTER-RELATED CHANGES TO operational procedures, business structures and resource management systems that are required ACHIEVE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN FISHERY PERFORMANCE;
4. A clear PATHWAY TO ADOPTION that recognises the inertia and resistance to change within government and industry that must be overcome for these MAJOR AND INTEGRATED CHANGES to be implemented.
Final report
There is currently an estimated economic gap (lost profit) in the CRC participant fisheries of approximately 40% or $200 million per annum.. If the economic gap could be halved from 40% to 20% the profitability of CRC fisheries would be improved by approximately $100 million. This project aimed to contribute to that outcome by identifying practical opportunities to improve their economic performance. This will be done by:
- Identifying key impediments to wealth creation (i.e. factors contributing to high costs and low revenue) in selected CRC fisheries.
- Describing the innovative operational procedures, business structures and fisheries management systems that have been established to improve the economic performance of successful fisheries worldwide.
- Identifying practical opportunities to improve the economic performance of CRC fisheries and outlining a pathway to adoption.
Therefore, this project aimed to:
- Assess the performance and identify impediments to wealth creation in selected CRC fisheries.
- Describe and evaluate innovative systems that have been established to improve the performance of successful fisheries worldwide.
- Identify practical opportunities for overcoming impediments to wealth creation and improving the performance of selected CRC fisheries
Seafood CRC: economic management guidance for Australian abalone fisheries
Seafood CRC: bioeconomic decision support tools for Southern Rock Lobster
Seafood CRC: decision-support tools for economic optimisation of western rocklobster
Seafood CRC: future harvest theme leadership
Seafood CRC: improving the supply chain for selected WA seafood products
The West Australian domestic finfish industry faces continuing pressures in the face of rising costs of
production, lowered catch, economic considerations (eg value of Australian dollar) and competition. The
industry also faces the considerable challenge of distance. It is therefore paramount that harvest and
post-harvest strategies optimizes all facets of the supply chain to ensure the maximum profitability from
the harvested product. These strategies may be in relation to improved product quality or yields
(eg due to harvest management strategies, storage techniques or use of novel diagnostic etc tools), more
efficient use of waste, or better economic management
(eg choice of best harvest strategy to minimize costs, logistical interventions or defining optimal market
strategies). This project will initially involve consultation with retailers, processors and fishermen to
identify (by preliminary cost benefit analysis) the key target species where supply chain intervention is most
likely to improve profitability. These chains will then be analysed and possible interventions identified and
piloted to assess possible impacts on profitability.