10 results
Industry

Human Dimensions Research Coordination Program 2021-24

Project number: 2020-122
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $440,705.00
Principal Investigator: Emily Ogier
Organisation: University of Tasmania
Project start/end date: 30 Sep 2021 - 29 Jan 2026
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Social Science
Social Science
Human Dimensions Research
Economic

Need

The operating environment within which Australian fisheries and aquaculture are positioned is complex, comprising economic, social and political institutions and organisations that are continuously being re-shaped by multiple external and internal drivers.

Addressing these specific drivers requires understanding of the human dimensions of fisheries and aquaculture, along with the biophysical. Human dimensions refers to the social, economic and cultural factors that affect outcomes for both the seafood community and in terms of public good. This includes the attitudes, processes and behaviours of individual people, companies, management agencies, communities, organisations, consumers, and markets. Human dimensions research has been successfully applied to understand how to enable better outcomes for Australia's fisheries and aquaculture (e.g. improved social acceptability, resilience through shocks, inclusive growth, economic productivity), and what are the effective strategies to achieve this (e.g. market based mechanisms, behavioural approaches). It brings together research capability from a broad range of disciplines.

Historically, achieving the level of coordinated investment required to effectively deliver against this need has been hampered by a range of factors, which have included:
• effective integration of human dimensions RD&E with biophysical sciences; and
• research capability and expertise capable of undertaking such research to ensure end user needs are met.

The FRDC has invested substantively in human dimensions R&D capability in recognition of this need. Ongoing coordination and strategic development of human dimensions R&D activities will support the FRDC to deliver its Fish Forever 2030 vision: Collaborative, vibrant fishing and aquaculture, creating diverse benefits from aquatic resources, and celebrated by the community.

The FRDC considers Coordination Programs as critical to delivering relevant outcomes of the R&D Plan. With respect to Human Dimensions, it is evident that a planned R&D outcome can be achieved more successfully if expertise and related activities are developed and managed in a coordinated manner.

Objectives

1. Identify and coordinate the development of human dimensions R&D priorities through review and consultation with key stakeholders, and assist to develop scopes to address those priorities
2. Ensure quality and relevance of human dimensions R&D through technical and extension advice and support for FRDC management and project teams
3. Support management of external partnerships delivering human dimensions R&D across FRDC
4. Support development of FRDC human dimensions data and analytics
5. Inform FRDC and stakeholders of state of knowledge and capability, and emerging needs, in key human dimensions R&D areas relevant to the FRDC's R&D Plan outcome and enabling strategy areas
6. Support extension and adoption of R&D in key human dimensions R&D areas relevant to the FRDC R&D Plan outcome and enabling strategy areas
7. Develop and foster R&D collaboration on international initiatives in human dimensions research of relevance to Australian fisheries and aquaculture

Improving performance of ITQ fisheries - Project activity paused

Project number: 2020-029
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $201,212.00
Principal Investigator: Caleb Gardner
Organisation: University of Tasmania
Project start/end date: 30 Jun 2021 - 29 Jun 2022
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Social Science
Social Science
Individual Transferable Quota
Human Dimensions Research
Fisheries Management

Need

Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs) and Individual Transferable Effort (ITE) systems have been introduced to a wide range of Australian fisheries (FRDC 2017-159). Since 1985, forty-six ITQs have been introduced to a range of fisheries and can be found across all jurisdictions in Australia; six ITEs have also been introduced, mainly in prawn trawl fisheries. Such systems allocate shares or portions of a total allowable catch (TAC), or total allowable effort (TAE), between fishers, vessels, communities, or others with an interest in the fishery.

Experience shows that ITQs as generally designed and implemented have not always fully delivered promised outcomes, have had outcomes that were unintended and unwanted, and in some instances have resulted in outcomes that make it difficult for fisheries managers to deliver against other, in many cases non-economic, objectives of fisheries management. In some instances, these unintended and unwanted consequences may also have been inappropriately attributed to the ITQs/ITEs and may more be down to other drivers such as globalisation or changes in stock abundance.

Building on industry and management’s growing interest in improving ITQ-fishery outcomes (SRL Corporatisation Workshop, Melbourne Airport, October 2019) and on the findings of 2017-159, this work will aim to provide evidence-based advice to managers and industry on options to address any performance gaps or unintended and unwanted consequences, and the potential effects of any proposed interventions on the economic, social and environmental outcomes of ITQs as generally implemented in Australian fisheries. The scope of options will include industry-led private sector initiatives, as well as Government-led changes to management.

Objectives

1. Assess the effects of adoption and ongoing management of ITQs including consequences that flow from ITQs and the effects of the adoption on specific performance indicators.
2. Develop adaptive management options for existing ITQs that will assist in managing the impact of unintended and unwanted consequences.
3. Better support managers in planning for the mitigation and management of unintended and unwanted consequences over time, including the cost of implementing change.
4. Provide options to fishery managers and stakeholders to assist in the adjustment of existing fisheries management under ITQs to avoid, or mitigate, unintended and unwanted consequences and/or enhance unintended but positive consequences.

Plan

Author: FRDC
Plan • 2023-09-29 • 239.48 KB
2020-029_FRDC-agreed_pathway.pdf

Summary

Following the Improving performance of ITQ fisheries Forum on September 28, 2023, decisions were made regarding the project's direction. Instead of proceeding to case studies, stakeholders acknowledged the importance of focusing on future research priorities for rights-based fisheries approaches. Actions include finalising project reports, seeking independent reviews, and enhancing stakeholder consultations. The upcoming four-year independent review of FRDC provides further opportunities for input. Efforts also involve aligning research priorities with end-users, improving project procedures, and addressing improvement areas through the mandated external independent review of FRDC.
 
View the FRDC agreed pathway for this project for more details.
 
 
Environment
Industry
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-051
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT

Examining the potential impacts of seismic surveys on Octopus and larval stages of Southern Rock Lobster

This report details the portion of FRDC 2019-051: Examining the potential impacts of seismic surveys on Octopus and larval stages of Southern Rock Lobster focusing on the impacts of exposure to a full-scale seismic survey on the early life stages of the Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii),...
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
TAGS
Sustainability
Survey
Stakeholder
Seismic
Rac Vic
SPECIES
Southern Rock Lobster
Octopuses
Industry
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-210
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

National fisheries and aquaculture industry social and economic contributions study: Phase 1

This report presents estimates of the economic contribution of Australia’s fisheries and aquaculture industries to the Australian community for 2017/18. It forms part of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry Contributions Study (FRDC project 2017-210) which was funded by the...
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
TAGS
Social Science
Social Science
Resource Access And Allocation
Human Dimensions Research
Fisheries Management
SPECIES
Blacklip Abalone
Blank
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-086
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Improved risk management of paralytic shellfish toxins in Southern Rock Lobster

To examine toxicokinetics of PST in Southern Rock Lobster, an experimental study was undertaken in a biosecure aquaculture facility in South Australia. Adult male lobsters were fed highly toxic mussels (6 mg STX.2HCl equiv. kg−1) sourced from the Tasmanian east coast for 4...
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
TAGS
Toxin
Fisheries Management
Electronic Monitoring
Disease
Diagnostic
SPECIES
Southern Rock Lobster
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