First Nations Leadership Capacity Building and Macroalgae Research Trip to the 9th Asian Pacific Phycological Forum (APPF 2024) in Hokkaido, Japan.
16th (Tue): Plenary lecture, Mini-symposium, General presentation (oral, poster), Forum dinner (Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo)
17th (Wed): Plenary lecture, Mini-symposium, General presentation (oral, poster), Closing ceremony
18th (Thu): Excursion (optional)
Activities undertaken include:
- attendance of the above forum days (each mini-symposium consisting of several presentations taking place simultaneously across 3 separate halls);
- networking with international experts in phycology;
- learning about local Ainu First Nations relationship with seaweed from both cultural and custodian stand-points; and
- report compiled of key findings relevant to FRDC and the emerging domestic seaweed industry, with a focus on building and disseminating knowledge within local First Nations.
Evaluate and optimise cost and energy effective solutions for lighting, carbon delivery and mixing in intensive commercial scale tetrasporophyte production of Asparagopsis
This project seeks to improve process efficiencies in inoculum production systems in hatcheries and mass culture grow out systems in land-based seaweed aquaculture facilities through selection of light sources with the appropriate spectral qualities and intensities as well as efficient carbon delivery and mixing systems. Laboratory scale optimisation trials on tetrasporophytes of A. armata and A. taxiformis will be validated under scaled-up industrial scale systems. The project proposes to trial various commercially available light sources as well as carbon delivery systems that the industry could adopt.
Community Trust in Rural Industries 2022-2025 - Joint RDC initiative
A continuation of representative national surveys of the Australian public regarding attitudes towards trust and acceptance of rural industries, trends shifts, and drivers.
Investigating drivers of environmental change in Pipe Clay Lagoon
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.