ASSA has developed and published the Australian Seaweed Industry Blueprint Implementation Plan (Blueprint) that identified the critical path activities to industry growth. This proposal is for enhancing the knowledge and expertiese of the Australian seaweed industry through those visiting Korea to see and discuss that country's well developed seaweed industry which is currently at a size similar to what the Blueprint seeks to achieve for Australia in coming years. The proposal seeks to fill a major gap identified in the farm technology space with preliminery discussions with Korean seaweed industry representatives highlighting that the country uses a variety of 'in sea' and 'on land' seaweed culture systems. The information attained from the delegation's visit to Korea will be dissemenated by producing a final report and through planned workshops and meetings with the broader Australian seaweed industry.

Recognising that harvest strategies are not particularly effective in meeting the needs of the recreational fishing sector, there is a need to identify the correct vehicle(s) for appropriately considering the objectives of the sector in management frameworks. This will require intensive engagement with stakeholders through national and State peak bodies and fishery managers to establish a shared understanding of the limitations of current fisheries management frameworks and promote innovation in formulating alternative systems.

The need to develop a systems model for the recreational sector has been identified as critical to ensuring fisheries management frameworks effectively recognise recreational fishing considerations. The model would provide a framework for fisheries managers and recreational sector stakeholders to collaborate in designing and implementing the intensive consultation and technical processes necessary to ensure recreational fishing drivers are understood and information, data baselines and monitoring needs are agreed. Addressing this critical gap will enable the development of fishery management tools which are better able to achieve fishery management goals and are supported by all stakeholders.

This project will undertake intensive engagement with the recreational fishing sector and fisheries managers to build a consolidated understanding of the recreational sector and the values, goals and motivators of model identified segments within the fishery which will provide important inputs in fisheries management frameworks. It will examine the pre-conditions for recreational sector objective setting and design a systematic process to ensure objectives are rigorously formulated and effectively integrated into fisheries management plans and harvest strategies, with consideration of the needs of all resource users.

The key output will be a systems model which defines objective setting processes and outputs prior to the commencement of management planning processes. This will establish clear guideposts and criteria, from which managers and stakeholders can confidently progress to management plan and harvest strategy development in a responsible manner.

Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC.