66,861 results

Identifying and synthesizing key messages from projects funded by the FRDC Indigenous Reference Group

Project number: 2018-183
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $167,738.00
Principal Investigator: Leila Alkassab
Organisation: Land to Sea Consulting
Project start/end date: 31 Aug 2019 - 8 Mar 2020
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Training
Stakeholder
Indigenous
Data
Community

Need

The IRG has raised a need to synthesise the key messages from previous projects that they have supported. In order to ensure that the data and information from these projects are accessible and easily understood for various audiences (includes Indigenous, commercial and recreational stakeholders, researchers, policy makers and the general public), the IRG has identified a need to create succinct materials that can be useful to those that seek to develop policy and stimulate community driven engagement.

Objectives

1. To gain an understanding of the materials and formats that policy-makers and key fisheries organizations need in their utilization of research to develop policy.
2. To improve general stakeholder awareness of the key research findings in of FRDC and IRG projects.
3. To provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with material that they can use in their engagement with government and non-government agencies.
4. To develop a succinct fact-sheets and a report that integrate the key messages of eight previous IRG projects in a user-friendly and culturally appropriate way.

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-646-82309-6
Author: Leila Alkassab
Final Report • 2020-08-01 • 492.72 KB
2018-183-DLD.pdf

Summary

What the report is about
This project identifies, synthesises and summarises the key messages of eight projects that have been funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) on fisheries. These key messages have been presented through a series of materials including a synthesis report, summary booklets and an infographic, all of which were developed as a way of raising awareness of the latest research findings regarding the Indigenous fisheries in Australia. They are presented in a manner that is useful and accessible to a wide-range of audiences including Indigenous communities, decision makers and other fisheries stakeholders.
The materials have specifically developed with the aim of empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by providing them with resources that they can use to engage government and non-government agencies. This project also involved a two-way learning component which entailed engaging an Indigenous student as a researcher for the duration of this project.
Background
In 2011 the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) on fisheries held a national forum to discuss issues around Indigenous involvement in fishing and seafood based Research, Development and Extension (RD&E). Participants at the forum included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with experience or expertise in fishing, seafood, or natural resource management across Australia as well as a small number of non-Indigenous participants (Calogeras et al. 2012). In 2012, participants from the forum reviewed and endorsed the work and confirmed that the outputs and the outcomes aligned with the desires of the group. Through this process, the IRG developed a set of five priorities to guide RD&E for and about Indigenous fishing in Australia (Calogeras et al. 2012).
The FRDC-IRG have supported a number of projects focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fisheries that focus on elements of the RD&E priorities (Calogeras et al. 2012). These projects have information that the IRG needs to communicate with Indigenous, commercial and recreational stakeholders, researchers, policy makers, agencies and the general public. Their findings bridge certain knowledge gaps about the Indigenous fisheries and highlight key issues and priorities of Indigenous fishing communities in terms of access and use of their fisheries.
Aims/objectives
This project was undertaken in response to the need identified by the IRG to ensure that the research findings from the previous eight projects are made accessible and easy to understand. The project consisted of the following objectives:
  1. To gain an understanding of the materials and formats that policy makers and key fisheries organisations need in their use of research to develop policy.
  2. To improve general stakeholder awareness of the key research findings in of FRDC and IRG projects.
  3. To provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with material that they can use in their engagement with government and non-government agencies.
  4. To develop succinct fact-sheets and a report that integrate the key messages of eight previous IRG projects in a user-friendly and culturally appropriate way.
Methodology
The project team conducted a desk-top review of eight project reports, their appendices, conducted phone meetings with the principle investigators of each project and liaised with the IRG. Project materials were subsequently developed with the use of qualitative data analysis software NVIVO and designed through Canva, a graphic design program.
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artwork was used for the materials produced and where appropriate the artist engaged was from the region that the original project was for or about. An Indigenous student was also recruited as an employee of Land to Sea Consulting for the purposes of two-way capacity building.
Results/key findings
The project findings echo the key messages drawn from the eight recent FRDC-IRG projects that took place on country through participatory and ethical research methodologies. The five themes identified provide an insight into Indigenous priorities for:
  1. Indigenous fisheries
  2. Governance and management
  3. Legislation and policy
  4. Economic empowerment
  5. Capacity building
These five themes have been developed as a way of understanding the key messages of recent FRDC-IRG research and for providing a step forward in offering fisheries stakeholders with in-depth insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the Indigenous fisheries sector. They support and align with the IRG RD&E principles and priorities while emphasising the particular findings and core assertions of the research projects analysed.
Implications for relevant stakeholders
The significance of this project lies in the materials created to communicate with Indigenous communities, fisheries managers, policy makers and other stakeholders involved in the Australian fisheries. They are short, easy-to-read and accessible versions of eight comprehensive research projects and clearly summarise their findings and synthesise their key messages.
The also provide Indigenous communities with material that they can use to engage decision makers. For policy makers and managers, they provide a synthesised and summarised version of recent research bout Indigenous fisheries from which proactive policy can be built and based upon.
Recommendations
The five key messages that have been created through the synthesis of the FRDC-IRG projects have come to shape the very core of this project. Therefore, it is ultimately inevitable that these are the same messages that must embody the recommendations of this project. They are particularly aimed at policy makers and the direction for further development in the Indigenous fisheries sector.

Project products

Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 33.17 MB
2018-183-synthesis report.pdf

Summary

Indigenous communities in Australia have utilised, shared and traded marine resources since time immemorial. These communities continue to hold strong connections and knowledge to aquatic ecosystems and biological resources, and fishing remains embedded in their cultural, social and economic lives.
Since the early stages of colonisation, the ability of Indigenous fishing communities to access their fisheries for both cultural and commercial purposes has been disrupted by external factors, including the policies and practices of the Australian state. In recent history international agreements have been put in place to protect Indigenous rights to access and manage their fisheries worldwide. The Australian government has an obligation to ensure the protection of Indigenous peoples access to their land and sea. Yet there still remains a gap in the aspirations of Indigenous community for their fisheries and formal fisheries management arrangements.
Presently, the Commonwealth, States and Territories define and recognise Indigenous fisheries through different legislation, policy and practices. In turn, there is an identified need for a comprehensive set of national principles to guide the development, implementation and monitoring of Indigenous fisheries policy across all jurisdictions.
The key messages that have been identified through the findings of recent FRDC-IRG research projects present opportunities for various levels of government to proactively assist and support Indigenous fishing communities to access and utilise their fisheries in ways that align with Indigenous aspirations.
Brochure • 4.65 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet–2012-216 Indigenous Cultural Fishing and Fisheries Governance.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 9.97 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2013-017 Optimising the Management of Tropical Reef Fish through the Development of Indigenous Scientific Capability.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 50.93 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2013-218 Building the capacity and performance of Indigenous fisheries.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 42.41 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2014-233 Improving access for Indigenous Australians to, and involvement in, the use and management of Australia’s fisheries resources.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 15.98 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2015-205 Livelihood values of Indigenous customary fishing.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 12.26 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2016-201 Business opportunities and impediments for Aboriginal community development in supportive fishing industries in the Roper River to Robinson River area of the Northern Territory.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 13.39 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2016-204 'Wave to Plate' establishing a market for cultural fisheries in Tasmania.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 24.76 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2016-206 Business Nous Indigenous business development opportunities and impediment in the fishing and seafood industry.pdf
Final Report • 2020-08-01 • 492.72 KB
2018-183-DLD.pdf

Summary

What the report is about
This project identifies, synthesises and summarises the key messages of eight projects that have been funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) on fisheries. These key messages have been presented through a series of materials including a synthesis report, summary booklets and an infographic, all of which were developed as a way of raising awareness of the latest research findings regarding the Indigenous fisheries in Australia. They are presented in a manner that is useful and accessible to a wide-range of audiences including Indigenous communities, decision makers and other fisheries stakeholders.
The materials have specifically developed with the aim of empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by providing them with resources that they can use to engage government and non-government agencies. This project also involved a two-way learning component which entailed engaging an Indigenous student as a researcher for the duration of this project.
Background
In 2011 the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) on fisheries held a national forum to discuss issues around Indigenous involvement in fishing and seafood based Research, Development and Extension (RD&E). Participants at the forum included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with experience or expertise in fishing, seafood, or natural resource management across Australia as well as a small number of non-Indigenous participants (Calogeras et al. 2012). In 2012, participants from the forum reviewed and endorsed the work and confirmed that the outputs and the outcomes aligned with the desires of the group. Through this process, the IRG developed a set of five priorities to guide RD&E for and about Indigenous fishing in Australia (Calogeras et al. 2012).
The FRDC-IRG have supported a number of projects focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fisheries that focus on elements of the RD&E priorities (Calogeras et al. 2012). These projects have information that the IRG needs to communicate with Indigenous, commercial and recreational stakeholders, researchers, policy makers, agencies and the general public. Their findings bridge certain knowledge gaps about the Indigenous fisheries and highlight key issues and priorities of Indigenous fishing communities in terms of access and use of their fisheries.
Aims/objectives
This project was undertaken in response to the need identified by the IRG to ensure that the research findings from the previous eight projects are made accessible and easy to understand. The project consisted of the following objectives:
  1. To gain an understanding of the materials and formats that policy makers and key fisheries organisations need in their use of research to develop policy.
  2. To improve general stakeholder awareness of the key research findings in of FRDC and IRG projects.
  3. To provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with material that they can use in their engagement with government and non-government agencies.
  4. To develop succinct fact-sheets and a report that integrate the key messages of eight previous IRG projects in a user-friendly and culturally appropriate way.
Methodology
The project team conducted a desk-top review of eight project reports, their appendices, conducted phone meetings with the principle investigators of each project and liaised with the IRG. Project materials were subsequently developed with the use of qualitative data analysis software NVIVO and designed through Canva, a graphic design program.
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artwork was used for the materials produced and where appropriate the artist engaged was from the region that the original project was for or about. An Indigenous student was also recruited as an employee of Land to Sea Consulting for the purposes of two-way capacity building.
Results/key findings
The project findings echo the key messages drawn from the eight recent FRDC-IRG projects that took place on country through participatory and ethical research methodologies. The five themes identified provide an insight into Indigenous priorities for:
  1. Indigenous fisheries
  2. Governance and management
  3. Legislation and policy
  4. Economic empowerment
  5. Capacity building
These five themes have been developed as a way of understanding the key messages of recent FRDC-IRG research and for providing a step forward in offering fisheries stakeholders with in-depth insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the Indigenous fisheries sector. They support and align with the IRG RD&E principles and priorities while emphasising the particular findings and core assertions of the research projects analysed.
Implications for relevant stakeholders
The significance of this project lies in the materials created to communicate with Indigenous communities, fisheries managers, policy makers and other stakeholders involved in the Australian fisheries. They are short, easy-to-read and accessible versions of eight comprehensive research projects and clearly summarise their findings and synthesise their key messages.
The also provide Indigenous communities with material that they can use to engage decision makers. For policy makers and managers, they provide a synthesised and summarised version of recent research bout Indigenous fisheries from which proactive policy can be built and based upon.
Recommendations
The five key messages that have been created through the synthesis of the FRDC-IRG projects have come to shape the very core of this project. Therefore, it is ultimately inevitable that these are the same messages that must embody the recommendations of this project. They are particularly aimed at policy makers and the direction for further development in the Indigenous fisheries sector.
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 33.17 MB
2018-183-synthesis report.pdf

Summary

Indigenous communities in Australia have utilised, shared and traded marine resources since time immemorial. These communities continue to hold strong connections and knowledge to aquatic ecosystems and biological resources, and fishing remains embedded in their cultural, social and economic lives.
Since the early stages of colonisation, the ability of Indigenous fishing communities to access their fisheries for both cultural and commercial purposes has been disrupted by external factors, including the policies and practices of the Australian state. In recent history international agreements have been put in place to protect Indigenous rights to access and manage their fisheries worldwide. The Australian government has an obligation to ensure the protection of Indigenous peoples access to their land and sea. Yet there still remains a gap in the aspirations of Indigenous community for their fisheries and formal fisheries management arrangements.
Presently, the Commonwealth, States and Territories define and recognise Indigenous fisheries through different legislation, policy and practices. In turn, there is an identified need for a comprehensive set of national principles to guide the development, implementation and monitoring of Indigenous fisheries policy across all jurisdictions.
The key messages that have been identified through the findings of recent FRDC-IRG research projects present opportunities for various levels of government to proactively assist and support Indigenous fishing communities to access and utilise their fisheries in ways that align with Indigenous aspirations.
Brochure • 4.65 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet–2012-216 Indigenous Cultural Fishing and Fisheries Governance.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 9.97 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2013-017 Optimising the Management of Tropical Reef Fish through the Development of Indigenous Scientific Capability.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 50.93 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2013-218 Building the capacity and performance of Indigenous fisheries.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 42.41 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2014-233 Improving access for Indigenous Australians to, and involvement in, the use and management of Australia’s fisheries resources.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 15.98 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2015-205 Livelihood values of Indigenous customary fishing.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 12.26 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2016-201 Business opportunities and impediments for Aboriginal community development in supportive fishing industries in the Roper River to Robinson River area of the Northern Territory.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 13.39 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2016-204 'Wave to Plate' establishing a market for cultural fisheries in Tasmania.pdf
Brochure • 2020-08-01 • 24.76 MB
2018-183-Summary booklet-2016-206 Business Nous Indigenous business development opportunities and impediment in the fishing and seafood industry.pdf
Communities
PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-181
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

The End of an Era: Acknowledging the socio-cultural history and contribution of Australian small-scale fisheries

With little fanfare or attention, commercial fishing in the Gippsland Lakes in eastern Victoria ceased on 1 April 2020. The small-scale commercial fishery, which was crucial to the establishment of the town of Lakes Entrance roughly 150 years ago, was closed by the Victorian State...
ORGANISATION:
A Twigg
TAGS
Workshop
Wild Catch
Wellbeing
Rac Vic
Human Dimensions Research
SPECIES
Blue Weed Whiting
Yelloweye Mullet
Black Bream
Silver Trevally
Yellowtail Scad
Adoption
PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-180
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Benchmarking for health and productivity in aquaculture

Benchmarking is a form of evaluation undertaken by comparing a measure with a standard. With its widespread adoption across many industries, benchmarking was identified as an important area for development in aquatic industries through the national strategic plan for aquatic animal health (AQUAPLAN...
ORGANISATION:
Agriculture Victoria
TAGS
Profitability
Marketing
Husbandry
Fisheries Management
Education
SPECIES
Blacklip Abalone
Greenlip Abalone
Abalone

Species identification of Australia’s most significant octopus fishery – the Western Australian Common Octopus

Project number: 2018-178
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $94,058.00
Principal Investigator: Anthony Hart
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) WA
Project start/end date: 7 Dec 2019 - 29 Jun 2021
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Sustainability
Stock Assessment
Rac Wa
Market Opportunities
Fishing Gear
SPECIES
Octopuses

Need

Octopus aff. tetricus or the Western Australian common octopus is an endemic species of the temperate waters of Western Australia. It is closely related to the cosmopolitan O. vulgaris species complex, and the ‘gloomy octopus’, O. tetricus on the east coast of Australia and New Zealand, but has been conclusively identified as a separate species through genetic and morphometric studies (Guzik et al., 2005; Amor et al., 2014). Currently, the common octopus supports the largest single-species octopus fishery in Australia, however the animal caught is an unnamed species, and carries the species affinis “Octopus aff. tetricus” instead. This is not an ideal situation for two reasons. First, it hinders a proper assessment of its significant contribution to the Australian cephalopod fisheries harvest. For example there is no dedicated SAFs report for this species, despite the catch levels harvest being three times greater than the 'Pale Octopus' (Octopus pallidus) from Tasmania, which does have its own SAFs assessment report. Secondly, there is an industry impetus to differentiate the product in the marketplace in order to create a distinct branding of the Western Australian octopus fishery into the future. Thus there is both a scientific/administrative need and a marketing need to formalise the correct species name, and its associated common name.

Objectives

1. Develop a formal species name for Octopus aff. tetricus
2. Develop an approved common name for Octopus aff. tetricus

Final report

Author: Dr Anthony M. Hart and Dr Michael D. Amor
Final Report • 1.68 MB
2018-178-DLD.pdf

Summary

This report summarises the scientific and consultation work undertaken to identify a new species name (Octopus djinda) and new common name (Western Rock Octopus) for the species that supports Australia’s largest octopus fishery, with 734 tonnes harvested in 2022. The species had been previously referred to as Octopus cf. tetricus, or Octopus aff. tetricus, otherwise known as the Gloomy Octopus. The species is endemic to Western Australia, and the work was a collaboration between the Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories (Dr Anthony Hart) and Dr Michael Amor of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and the Western Australian Museum. Type specimens including males and females were sampled from across the species distribution in Western Australia, including from Geraldton, Mandurah, and Esperance. Using the latest technology in evolutionary genetics and multivariate morphology, the specimens were analysed, and a scientific manuscript proving they were a unique species was submitted to the journal Zootaxa. The species’ Holotype and Paratypes were then deposited in the Western Australian Museum. Parallel to this, a stakeholder consultation process investigated a range of options for species names and common names. The new species is now called Octopus djinda, and the new common name is Western Rock Octopus. The name “djinda” is a Noongar word for star, and the Noongar are traditional custodians of the land in South-Western Australia. The description provided by this project will enable proper reporting of catch statistics for Australia’s largest and fastest growing octopus fishery.
Final Report • 1.68 MB
2018-178-DLD.pdf

Summary

This report summarises the scientific and consultation work undertaken to identify a new species name (Octopus djinda) and new common name (Western Rock Octopus) for the species that supports Australia’s largest octopus fishery, with 734 tonnes harvested in 2022. The species had been previously referred to as Octopus cf. tetricus, or Octopus aff. tetricus, otherwise known as the Gloomy Octopus. The species is endemic to Western Australia, and the work was a collaboration between the Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories (Dr Anthony Hart) and Dr Michael Amor of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and the Western Australian Museum. Type specimens including males and females were sampled from across the species distribution in Western Australia, including from Geraldton, Mandurah, and Esperance. Using the latest technology in evolutionary genetics and multivariate morphology, the specimens were analysed, and a scientific manuscript proving they were a unique species was submitted to the journal Zootaxa. The species’ Holotype and Paratypes were then deposited in the Western Australian Museum. Parallel to this, a stakeholder consultation process investigated a range of options for species names and common names. The new species is now called Octopus djinda, and the new common name is Western Rock Octopus. The name “djinda” is a Noongar word for star, and the Noongar are traditional custodians of the land in South-Western Australia. The description provided by this project will enable proper reporting of catch statistics for Australia’s largest and fastest growing octopus fishery.
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-177
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

'If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else' - Future proofing the Australian Mud Crab Industry through improved strategic direction

BACKGROUND Australian mud crab fisheries extend from northern Western Australia (WA) across the Northern Territory (NT) and Queensland (Qld) through to northern New South Wales (NSW) and are managed across the four jurisdictions. The product from each jurisdiction is sold into a...
ORGANISATION:
C-AID Consultants
TAGS
Rac Wa
Rac Vic
Rac Qld
Rac Nt
Rac Nsw
SPECIES
Mud Crabs

Refine the Southern Rock Lobster Cold Chain

Project number: 2018-176
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $213,979.00
Principal Investigator: Peter Liddell
Organisation: KPMG Australia Melbourne
Project start/end date: 4 Aug 2019 - 7 Nov 2019
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Trade
Supply Chain
Stakeholder
Market Opportunities
Audit
SPECIES
Southern Rock Lobster

Need

The majority of Southern Rock Lobster harvest is exported to Asian markets – 95% of Australia’s 2,986 tonne harvest lands in these countries. However, these lengthy supply chains require enhancement, to protect the sensitive and temperature-dependent product and ensure that the end consumer receives a premium product. With price directly correlated to quality of the lobster, ensuring that a high-quality product is received by the end consumer has direct financial outcomes for Southern Rock Lobster stakeholders back in Australia.

The lobster processor does not control the supply chain, and loses visibility when the product is delivered to the freight forwarder. Brand image and product quality are being impacted by the inconsistencies in the packing and transporting of product. Recent developments in technologies, logistics, techniques, and best practice could transform the cold chain to ensure greater visibility and consistency of Southern Rock Lobster supply to Asia. Understanding best practice cold chain practices from other industries is crucial to upgrading the supply chain for Southern Rock Lobster to ensure product flows quickly and remains under strict temperature control. Each leg and handover needs to controlled, consistent and focused on quality to the end consumer.

Therefore, this cold chain review has been commissioned to investigate ways to improve the integrity of the end to end cold chain and reduce time to market. A consistently fresher less spoiled product will earn higher prices and build brand reputation for all Southern Rock Lobster members. The review will consider the use of better technologies for fresh food transport and handling. The review will also advise on policies and regulations to drive conformance and compliance.

Objectives

1. Develop a full understanding of the supply chain for Southern Rock Lobster into export markets, to be able to pinpoint the key challenges faced in ensuring quality and maintaining temperature control.
2. Understand the range of options for improvements to the export cold chain, considering best practice, technologies and efficiencies. This will include opportunities for temperature control, regulatory reforms, and collaborative infrastructure.
3. Identify the innovations and initiatives likely to have the most significant impact on the quality of Southern Rock Lobster exports, and practically prioritise for these for future implementation.

Final report

ISBN: 978-0- 646-81746-0
Author: KPMG
Final Report • 2020-09-08 • 1.06 MB
2018-176-DLD.pdf

Summary

What the report is about? 
The report aims to assist the Southern Rock Lobster (SRL) industry with refining the live export supply chain to China. Research has identified issues relating to the cold chain, particularly at the domestic air freight stage, and practical solutions have then been proposed to address them.
 
The researchers spoke to and met with 29 stakeholders across the supply chain to conduct this analysis, including fishers, exporters, CTOs, freight forwarders and airlines. Desktop analysis was also completed.  This research was conducted over a period of 3 months. 
Background 
Project 2018-176 was commissioned in order to improve export outcomes for the SRL industry – with particular focus on exports to the Chinese market. Exporters have experienced increased issues relating to lobster mortality in the supply chain and maintaining effective temperature control, which has impacted upon returns to industry.   
 
Feedback from industry stakeholders engaged during the project identified the domestic supply chain and specifically air freight operations as critical areas of focus. This research therefore targeted understanding challenges and opportunities at this stage of the supply chain, and crucially, the ways in which the industry can collectively address the pain points and refine the live export supply chain.
 
Aims/objectives
There are three key objectives that the research team agreed with Southern Rocklobster Limited and the FRDC at the start of the project. These were: 
  • Develop a full understanding of the supply chain for Southern Rock Lobster into export markets, to be able to pinpoint the key challenges faced in ensuring quality and maintaining temperature control.
  • Understand the range of options for improvements to the export cold chain, considering best practice, technologies and efficiencies. This includes opportunities for temperature control, regulatory reform and collaborative infrastructure.
  • Identify the innovations and initiatives likely to have the most significant impact on the quality of Southern Rock Lobster exports, and practically prioritise these for future implementation.
Methodology
The research team followed four phases of work, designed to contribute to the project’s outcomes in a logical way.
  • The first phase (2 weeks) focused on kicking off the project with confirmation of the research focus and the goals of the research. A collaborative kick-off meeting was conducted, and a review of background information and contact lists for stakeholder consults.  
  • The second phase (5 weeks) focused on reviewing the current value chain, with the research team speaking to/visiting 29 stakeholders to uncover pain points experienced by SRL exporters across the supply chain, and then conducting additional analysis to verify and add detail to the identified issues.  
  • The third phase (4 weeks) formulated a range of solutions to address identified supply chain issues. Each solution was workshopped, discussed with industry stakeholders to verify suitability, and researched. 
  • The fourth and final phase (2 weeks) focused on creating an implementation plan for the proposed solutions, with timelines and activities listed for Southern Rocklobster Limited and other industry stakeholders to action. 
Results/key findings
Southern Rock Lobsters (SRLs) are a premium, high value product, where the end product quality is a key indication of the performance of the export supply chain. Catch quality by fishers and subsequent handling must be effectively managed throughout the supply chain as the product is highly sensitive to poor handling and temperature variation during transit.
 
The key findings of Project 2018-176 include the identification of key issues faced in the live export supply chain for SRLs, proposed solutions to address them, and implementation work packages to assist the industry with actioning the aforementioned solutions. 
Issues
The 14 issues identified are grouped into four main themes as illustrated below. Issues are explored in depth in the results section of this report. 
Solutions
To address the specific challenges and choke points identified in the current state export supply chain assessment, solutions have been formed which detail how Southern Rock Lobster Limited can support the industry through particular initiatives. These are structured within three classifications, which broadly align to how disruptive and innovative the solutions may be for the SRL industry. The solutions are explored in depth in the results section of this report.
Implementation work packages
Six programs of activity have been developed to support the SRL industry with implementing supply chain solutions that address the issues identified in the review. The timeframes, costs and complexity of each package varies. The formed work packages will facilitate the industry to work towards the incremental and innovative solutions through general industry engagement, stakeholder incentivisation and a combined program of activity. The fundamentally disruptive solutions are broken down from the significant projects into targeted activities. Work packages are explored in depth in the results section of this report. 
Implications for relevant stakeholders
The findings detailed within this report have implications for all stakeholders engaged across the SRL live export supply chain – particularly at the domestic end. SRL exporters in particular will need to action change if they are to realise the maximum benefits of the proposed solutions. This will range from minor initiatives such as AVE labelling, to significant endeavours such as fundamentally changing the way that supply chain transactions are managed and contracted.  
Cross-industry collaboration will be required if the industry is to progress these interests as a whole, meaning that Southern Rocklobster Limited will be required to take on a leadership and coordination role, whilst other supply chain stakeholders such as freight forwarders, CTOs and airlines will need to be incentivised and engaged for many of the solutions to be progressed.
Final Report • 2020-09-08 • 1.06 MB
2018-176-DLD.pdf

Summary

What the report is about? 
The report aims to assist the Southern Rock Lobster (SRL) industry with refining the live export supply chain to China. Research has identified issues relating to the cold chain, particularly at the domestic air freight stage, and practical solutions have then been proposed to address them.
 
The researchers spoke to and met with 29 stakeholders across the supply chain to conduct this analysis, including fishers, exporters, CTOs, freight forwarders and airlines. Desktop analysis was also completed.  This research was conducted over a period of 3 months. 
Background 
Project 2018-176 was commissioned in order to improve export outcomes for the SRL industry – with particular focus on exports to the Chinese market. Exporters have experienced increased issues relating to lobster mortality in the supply chain and maintaining effective temperature control, which has impacted upon returns to industry.   
 
Feedback from industry stakeholders engaged during the project identified the domestic supply chain and specifically air freight operations as critical areas of focus. This research therefore targeted understanding challenges and opportunities at this stage of the supply chain, and crucially, the ways in which the industry can collectively address the pain points and refine the live export supply chain.
 
Aims/objectives
There are three key objectives that the research team agreed with Southern Rocklobster Limited and the FRDC at the start of the project. These were: 
  • Develop a full understanding of the supply chain for Southern Rock Lobster into export markets, to be able to pinpoint the key challenges faced in ensuring quality and maintaining temperature control.
  • Understand the range of options for improvements to the export cold chain, considering best practice, technologies and efficiencies. This includes opportunities for temperature control, regulatory reform and collaborative infrastructure.
  • Identify the innovations and initiatives likely to have the most significant impact on the quality of Southern Rock Lobster exports, and practically prioritise these for future implementation.
Methodology
The research team followed four phases of work, designed to contribute to the project’s outcomes in a logical way.
  • The first phase (2 weeks) focused on kicking off the project with confirmation of the research focus and the goals of the research. A collaborative kick-off meeting was conducted, and a review of background information and contact lists for stakeholder consults.  
  • The second phase (5 weeks) focused on reviewing the current value chain, with the research team speaking to/visiting 29 stakeholders to uncover pain points experienced by SRL exporters across the supply chain, and then conducting additional analysis to verify and add detail to the identified issues.  
  • The third phase (4 weeks) formulated a range of solutions to address identified supply chain issues. Each solution was workshopped, discussed with industry stakeholders to verify suitability, and researched. 
  • The fourth and final phase (2 weeks) focused on creating an implementation plan for the proposed solutions, with timelines and activities listed for Southern Rocklobster Limited and other industry stakeholders to action. 
Results/key findings
Southern Rock Lobsters (SRLs) are a premium, high value product, where the end product quality is a key indication of the performance of the export supply chain. Catch quality by fishers and subsequent handling must be effectively managed throughout the supply chain as the product is highly sensitive to poor handling and temperature variation during transit.
 
The key findings of Project 2018-176 include the identification of key issues faced in the live export supply chain for SRLs, proposed solutions to address them, and implementation work packages to assist the industry with actioning the aforementioned solutions. 
Issues
The 14 issues identified are grouped into four main themes as illustrated below. Issues are explored in depth in the results section of this report. 
Solutions
To address the specific challenges and choke points identified in the current state export supply chain assessment, solutions have been formed which detail how Southern Rock Lobster Limited can support the industry through particular initiatives. These are structured within three classifications, which broadly align to how disruptive and innovative the solutions may be for the SRL industry. The solutions are explored in depth in the results section of this report.
Implementation work packages
Six programs of activity have been developed to support the SRL industry with implementing supply chain solutions that address the issues identified in the review. The timeframes, costs and complexity of each package varies. The formed work packages will facilitate the industry to work towards the incremental and innovative solutions through general industry engagement, stakeholder incentivisation and a combined program of activity. The fundamentally disruptive solutions are broken down from the significant projects into targeted activities. Work packages are explored in depth in the results section of this report. 
Implications for relevant stakeholders
The findings detailed within this report have implications for all stakeholders engaged across the SRL live export supply chain – particularly at the domestic end. SRL exporters in particular will need to action change if they are to realise the maximum benefits of the proposed solutions. This will range from minor initiatives such as AVE labelling, to significant endeavours such as fundamentally changing the way that supply chain transactions are managed and contracted.  
Cross-industry collaboration will be required if the industry is to progress these interests as a whole, meaning that Southern Rocklobster Limited will be required to take on a leadership and coordination role, whilst other supply chain stakeholders such as freight forwarders, CTOs and airlines will need to be incentivised and engaged for many of the solutions to be progressed.

Women in Seafood Australasia - Understanding, supporting and promoting effective participation by women within the Australian seafood industry

Project number: 2018-174
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $201,500.00
Principal Investigator: Heidi J. Mumme
Organisation: Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA)
Project start/end date: 19 Sep 2019 - 19 Sep 2021
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Workforce
Training
Media
Leadership
Human Dimensions Research

Need

A comprehensive and wide ranging understanding of the current levels of engagement of women in the seafood sector will provide a valuable and ongoing resource to the wider seafood sector to increase women's engagement and participation.

To support and promote the value of fully engaged women participating effectively and helping to secure the future viability of the Australian seafood industry WISA needs to build critical skills of seafood women, delivered in a way that is accessible to them and encourages participation from rural and regional areas. This is particularly important for women under 30.

Researching (nationally and internationally) and better understanding the value of having greater diversity within seafood enterprises, associations, research agencies, at senior management, board and committee level will help WISA create an integrated online and offline skills development platform. The platform will need to be easily accessible by women, focused on the specific and particular needs of women and support and encourage greater participation by women in the seafood industry.

While there are resources available e.g e-leaders program there is a need for these resources to be reviewed and updated to target the specific needs of seafood women. Additionally, WISA needs to form strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships/alliances with other relevant organisations and networks and work with them to capitalise on opportunities provided through these partnerships.

Having skilled women is not sufficient to ensure that women are successful and effective contributors. It is also necessary to develop a specific pathway program for women to gain the confidence necessary to nominate and be selected for key management, board and committees. This will help seafood enterprises and organisations (industry, research and government) to increase diversity by enabling access to skilled women able to contribute to their success.

Objectives

1. 1 To create a baseline (quantitative and qualitative) against which progress and impact of WISA activities can be measured.
2. 2 To establish an online skills platform to provide access to training by women in rural and regional areas that will support greater diversity in seafood enterprises, research agencies and industry associations.
3. 3. To deliver the Women in Seafood Pathways program targeting at least 15 graduates initially.
4. To establish a communications and extension program to highlight the roles of women in seafood and the value diversity provides to the seafood industry and community.

Final report

Authors: Kirsten Abernethy Heidi Mumme and Karen Holder
Final Report • 2022-10-01 • 1.13 MB
2018-174-DLD.pdf

Summary

This FRDC project, Understanding, supporting and promoting effective participation by women in the Australian seafood industry, was pivotal for WISA in supporting its future direction as an organisation. Research undertaken showcased the significance of the roles and contributions of seafood women and exposed the structural and cultural barriers faced by women in the industry. The provision of a bespoke entry level leadership program for women using an online format has provided WISA with greater understanding of the professional development needs of seafood women and how to deliver these effectively. The popularity and success of communication and extension activities incorporated into three key events throughout the project, including presentations, panel sessions, webinars, workshops and networking events, met several objectives including: increasing industry recognition of the contributions of seafood women, highlighting the value inclusion and diversity provides to industry and communities, and identifying ways forward to shift structures and cultures impeding women’s participation and progression in the industry. Underpinned and supported by this project, WISA underwent a renewal including developing a strategic framework to deliver more to its members targeting the evidence-based needs of women in seafood, as well as transitioning to a new company structure which has resulted in a more effectively governed organisation.
Final Report • 2023-02-01 • 2.84 MB
2018-174-2-DLD.pdf

Summary

Women of the Australian Seafood Industry: Women’s contribution, their roles and what women need to succeed, reports the findings of the research component of the Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA) project: 2018-174 Understanding, supporting and promoting effective participation by women in the Australian seafood industry.
Women are an important component of the Australian seafood industry, present in every sector working in the supply chain and with the industry, and every organisation type. Until this project, Australia had little data on women’s contributions to the seafood industry and the roles women play. Furthermore, there was little industry-wide understanding of women’s experiences working in the Australian seafood industry, if and where there are inequalities and gendered differences in experiences, and where barriers lie to women fully participating and progressing in the industry.
This national project used a combination of data sources, including Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data, in depth key informant interviews, and an online survey, to reveal answers to these questions first asked by Women in Seafood Australasia twenty years ago.
Final Report • 2022-10-01 • 1.13 MB
2018-174-DLD.pdf

Summary

This FRDC project, Understanding, supporting and promoting effective participation by women in the Australian seafood industry, was pivotal for WISA in supporting its future direction as an organisation. Research undertaken showcased the significance of the roles and contributions of seafood women and exposed the structural and cultural barriers faced by women in the industry. The provision of a bespoke entry level leadership program for women using an online format has provided WISA with greater understanding of the professional development needs of seafood women and how to deliver these effectively. The popularity and success of communication and extension activities incorporated into three key events throughout the project, including presentations, panel sessions, webinars, workshops and networking events, met several objectives including: increasing industry recognition of the contributions of seafood women, highlighting the value inclusion and diversity provides to industry and communities, and identifying ways forward to shift structures and cultures impeding women’s participation and progression in the industry. Underpinned and supported by this project, WISA underwent a renewal including developing a strategic framework to deliver more to its members targeting the evidence-based needs of women in seafood, as well as transitioning to a new company structure which has resulted in a more effectively governed organisation.
Final Report • 2023-02-01 • 2.84 MB
2018-174-2-DLD.pdf

Summary

Women of the Australian Seafood Industry: Women’s contribution, their roles and what women need to succeed, reports the findings of the research component of the Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA) project: 2018-174 Understanding, supporting and promoting effective participation by women in the Australian seafood industry.
Women are an important component of the Australian seafood industry, present in every sector working in the supply chain and with the industry, and every organisation type. Until this project, Australia had little data on women’s contributions to the seafood industry and the roles women play. Furthermore, there was little industry-wide understanding of women’s experiences working in the Australian seafood industry, if and where there are inequalities and gendered differences in experiences, and where barriers lie to women fully participating and progressing in the industry.
This national project used a combination of data sources, including Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data, in depth key informant interviews, and an online survey, to reveal answers to these questions first asked by Women in Seafood Australasia twenty years ago.

Review of FRDC's Industry Partnership Agreements (IPAs), Research Advisory Committees (RACs), Subprograms and Coordination Programs

Project number: 2018-173
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $52,627.28
Principal Investigator: Scott Williams
Organisation: Forest Hill Consulting
Project start/end date: 21 Feb 2019 - 20 Jun 2019
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Stakeholder
Resource Access And Allocation
Modelling
Capacity Building

Need

The independent review of performance of the FRDC, undertaken in 2018 by Forest Hill Consulting, made two recommendations that have given rise to this review:
• Recommendation 3: During the development of the next RD&E plan, FRDC should review the way it organises and manages its RD&E program (its investment and evaluation framework) with the aim of simplifying it so that it is easily understood by the average stakeholder.
• Recommendation 7: FRDC should strengthen its approach to extension, possibly by creating a specific position to oversee or coordinate extension across the organisation.

Recommendation 3 reflected a finding that the FRDC's investment and evaluation framework is very complex and difficult to understand from outside the organisation, even by stakeholders who are closely engaged with and have a good understanding of the FRDC. This is likely to be creating additional overhead cost for the organisation and for those working with it (for example, researchers submitting project applications), and leading to sub-optimal understanding by stakeholders of FRDC's performance.

The FRDC's approach to extension (recommendation 7) is closely tied to its stakeholder engagement model, hence its inclusion in the scope of the current project.

Objectives

1. Identify how the various partnership models are managed by the FRDC and how that management might be improved
2. Identify the the degree to which the FRDC's partnership models meet stakeholder needs
3. Identify how well the FRDC's partnership models are meeting the FRDC’s extension/adoption/impact goals
4. Identify areas for improvement in the FRDC's partnership models generally
5. Identify how well the FRDC's partnership models are contributing to the FRDC realising its planned outcome

Final report

Author: Scott Williams and Russell Pattinson
Final Report • 2020-01-23 • 931.19 KB
2018-173.pdf

Summary

This report presents the outcomes of a project commissioned by the Fisheries Research & Development Corporation (FRDC) to provide: ‘…a comprehensive and independent review of the current FRDC partnership models with a view to identifying: how the various models are managed by the FRDC and how that management might be improved, the degree to which they meet stakeholder needs, how well they are meeting the FRDC’s extension / adoption / impact goals, areas for improvement generally (and) how well they are contributing to the FRDC realising its planned outcome’.
Final Report • 2020-01-23 • 931.19 KB
2018-173.pdf

Summary

This report presents the outcomes of a project commissioned by the Fisheries Research & Development Corporation (FRDC) to provide: ‘…a comprehensive and independent review of the current FRDC partnership models with a view to identifying: how the various models are managed by the FRDC and how that management might be improved, the degree to which they meet stakeholder needs, how well they are meeting the FRDC’s extension / adoption / impact goals, areas for improvement generally (and) how well they are contributing to the FRDC realising its planned outcome’.
Communities
PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-172
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Methods to profile and connect the provenance of wild caught prawn fisheries and their values to the community

The wild prawn industry, as a key influencer of the community's (sustainability) perception of the Australian seafood industry, has addressed identified risks to social license so that it can protect its legal license to operate in public waters. This report provides the results and conclusions on...
ORGANISATION:
Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries Ltd (ACPF)
TAGS
Wild Catch
Stakeholder
Marketing
Fisheries Management
Community
SPECIES
Royal Red Prawn
Redspot King Prawn
King Prawns
Banana Prawns
Tiger Prawns

CRDC: FRDC Contribution: Growing a digital future - understanding digital capability in Australian agriculture

Project number: 2018-171
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $71,903.22
Principal Investigator: Jane Trindall
Organisation: Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC)
Project start/end date: 17 Feb 2019 - 31 Oct 2019
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Training
Resource Access And Allocation
Reproduction
Innovation
Education

Need

The Program aims to:
(a) Implement the recommendations from Rural R&D for Profit project: Accelerating precision to decision agriculture.
(b) Lift the digital maturity of the Australian agriculture sector from ad-hoc to foundational.
(c) Invest in foundational frameworks for the Round 4 Rural R&D for Profit project Australian Agriculture: Growing a Digital Future.

Objectives

1. Implement the recommendations from Rural R&D for Profit project: Accelerating precision to decision agriculture.
2. Lift the digital maturity of the Australian agriculture sector from ad-hoc to foundational.
3. Invest in foundational frameworks for the Round 4 Rural R&D for Profit project Australian Agriculture: Growing a Digital Future.

Final report

Authors: KPGM Skills Impact With the contribution of Faethm and The University of Queensland
Final Report • 2019-01-01 • 3.97 MB
2018-171-DLD.pdf

Summary

In an effort to respond to a rapidly changing agricultural environment and boost the industry's competitiveness entering a new age of digital farming, Cotton RDC and a group of Rural Research and Development Corporations (including FRDC) have come together to fund the Agriculture workforce digital capability framework project, managed by Cotton RDC. The project will assist in understanding the digital capabilities required by agricultural workers in order to address any gaps in the ability to meet future demand. The project will also provide education providers with a framework to develop education pathways for up-skilling the agricultural workforce to better adopt technology. 
Final Report • 2019-01-01 • 3.97 MB
2018-171-DLD.pdf

Summary

In an effort to respond to a rapidly changing agricultural environment and boost the industry's competitiveness entering a new age of digital farming, Cotton RDC and a group of Rural Research and Development Corporations (including FRDC) have come together to fund the Agriculture workforce digital capability framework project, managed by Cotton RDC. The project will assist in understanding the digital capabilities required by agricultural workers in order to address any gaps in the ability to meet future demand. The project will also provide education providers with a framework to develop education pathways for up-skilling the agricultural workforce to better adopt technology. 
View Filter

Research

Category

Product Type

Species

Organisation