Australian and New Zealand Rock Lobster is a high value product that has strong recognition in their local and export markets. There is significant capital investment across the combined jurisdictions of the Trans-Tasman lobster fisheries. As with most other wild caught fisheries and seafood sectors Trans-Tasman lobster fisheries face similar challenges in regards to, sustainability, threats to / competition for the resource and resource access, product quality and food safety, implications from aquaculture production and applying and taking advantage of new and emerging technologies. In addition to these common industry issues, lobster fisheries produce a product that is predominantly for live export which adds further challenges such as barriers to trade and trade agreements, complex supply chains and understanding the ‘what and where’ of new market opportunities.
Well organised and educational forums such as Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congresses enable a sharing of information and a collaborative approach to addressing challenges and sharing successes. Since first being held in 1999 the biennial Rock Lobster conferences have become the pre-eminent forum for the respective Trans-Tasman lobster industries to consider and address the many challenges across the supply chain. There is never a shortage of key issues and topics to address and bring together in a common theme to deliver a successful Trans-Tasman Industry Congress that has the support of all the key industry bodies and wider stakeholders.
The history of successful Trans-Tasman Industry Congresses, speaks for itself.
Trans-Tasman Congresses have well established support of all the key industry bodies and wider stakeholder interests with all lobster producing jurisdictions having now hosted an event. This history combined with the experience, existing contacts, establishing themes, producing engaging programmes, having informative exhibitions, attracting quality keynote speakers - both local and international, continuing sponsorship from service providers and the ability to attract the general support of industry ensure there is a pool of support and knowledge to deliver successful congresses
Initial Contributions (2023):
• Total combined initial contributions will be to a maximum of $30,000.00.
• Request a cash contribution from the NZRLIC.
• Request a contribution from the Eastern Rock Lobster Industry.
• Contribution from the SRL IPA.
• Contribution from the WRL IPA.
Proposed Governance Arrangements:
• The Managing Entity (ME) i.e. the industry body responsible for administering the congress in a particular year, will be responsible for holding and managing the ‘kitty’ of funds.
• ‘Surplus’ funds will be used to fund the administration, hosting and attendance of any planning meetings conducted in the ‘interim year’, this process will be managed by the ME responsible for hosting the most recent (past) Trans Tasman Congress.
• PI & Co-Investigators will discuss and confirm the amount required for future initial contributions.
More than 25% of the NT Population identify as Indigenous - the highest proportion in any state or territory. Indigenous people also own approximately 84% of the NT coastline. Participation of Indigenous people in industries and businesses that align closely with cultural values such as in natural and cultural resource management have been shown to have beneficial social, economic and health outcomes.
There is a need to expand the proportion of Indigenous people participating in all aspects of the NT commercial fishing and seafood industry. This includes through capacity building activities, traineeships, employment, research, education and extension services.
Currently there is a silo approach across local, Territory and Commonwealth agencies and programs to achieve this and poor integration across sectors. Julian Morison from EconSearch, the Principal Investigator for this proposed project, is currently leading two projects in the NT that are designed to address the problems largely arising from this silo approach. One is the lack of current economic information about the NT Seafood Industry. The second involves providing advice on fishing and aquaculture industry market opportunities, through an economic assessment of the current value and nature of opportunities in the NT market with a particular focus on the market size, value and opportunities that are present in East Arnhem Land.
These two studies which are due for completion in March and May 2017, respectively, will provide a solid basis for the proposed project. The primary aim of this project is to conduct research and stakeholder consultation to identify ways to promote and increase participation and employment of Indigenous people in NT fishing and seafood industries.
The project is to be managed under the auspices of Developing East Arnhem Limited (DEAL). DEAL is a not-for-profit development body established in November 2014 to act as the front door to the region for industry and business. DEAL facilitates connections between private enterprise, industry, community and government agencies to support economic diversification and growth in the East Arnhem region for the benefit of the regional population.
