Project Search

Scientists at IMAS conducted a stable isotope study on Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) collected from Southern Australian sites to determine whether or not capture site could be determined post-harvest.

ORGANISATION:

University of Tasmania

SPECIES

Southern Rock Lobster

PROJECT NUMBER • 2021-018

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

SafeFish 2021-2025

ORGANISATION:

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) Hobart

PROJECT NUMBER • 2021-007

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Toolbox for the estimation of fish population abundance

ORGANISATION:

CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart

TAGS

PROJECT NUMBER • 2020-123

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Biology and Ecology Program: Strategically targeting research on Panulirus cygnus and its ecosystem to suit the needs of the WRL fishing industry and stakeholders

ORGANISATION:

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Hillarys

TAGS

Sustainability

SPECIES

Western Rock Lobster

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

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

PROJECT NUMBER • 2020-110

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Fish and Chips Awards 2021

The Fish and Chip Awards are a celebration of Australia’s iconic Fish and Chips, and draws focus to the sustainability of Australian seafood, underutilised species, Fish Names, and Country of Origin Labelling in foodservice. The awards are popular with consumers, retailers, and media...

ORGANISATION:

Seafood Industry Australia (SIA)

TAGS

Rac Cmwth

Discussion Papers on seafood traceability and labelling

Project number: 2020-093

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $33,000.00

Principal Investigator: Meaghan Dodd

Organisation: Intuitive Food Solutions

Project start/end date: 13 Dec 2020 - 7 Feb 2021

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Traceability

Policy

Conference

Need

FRDC have identified this topic is gaining momentum across the food industry including seafood, and this proposal will support FRDC to be prepared for future discussions and potential industry changes and support.

Objectives

1. What is traceability

2. Understand the current Australian legal requirements for seafood traceability and labelling

3. Understand current seafood traceability methods available including any in development

4. Traceability impacts on product categories

5. Identify improvement areas

Report

Author: Ewan Colquhoun

Report • 2021-10-25

Summary

All food sold in Australia must comply with the Food Standards Code. Food label claims are subject to Australian Consumer Law, prohibiting false, misleading or deceptive behaviour.

Australian seafood consumers face existing risks and confusion regarding species, nomenclature, and product misrepresentation.

The imminent launch of cellular meat and seafood, now being debated globally by producers and regulators, will offer new benefits to consumers. But there are risks. If the Australian seafood industry mishandles these challenges, we will compound existing product misrepresentation and seafood fraud. A Senate Committee is currently assessing the risks and options across meat and seafood consumer products.

This discussion paper updates the issues, challenges and relevant laws, to suggest options and risks going forward. It is a living document which attempts to reflect a very dynamic food labelling environment. This report is to be used as a first version working document, with further updates to occur every 12-18 months.

Final Report • 2021-12-31 • 742.64 KB

2020-093-DLD-Part A-Seafood Traceability Discussion Paper.pdf

Summary

There are two parts to project 2020-093: Discussion Papers on seafood traceability and labelling

TRACEABILITY – PART A
Seafood is one of the most traded food commodities in the world, and has a complex supply chain not just domestically, but globally with further pressures due to COVID-19 impacts. As such, traceability can be a minefield to navigate, but is necessary to build customer and end consumer trust while protecting your brand.

Within Australia, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), the regulatory body, requires a ‘one up and one down’ approach of tracing food products. ‘One up’ is where the business sold its outward goods to (a customer), and ‘one down’ is where the inward goods came from (a supplier). Internationally, there has been a shift in this approach towards ‘end-to-end’ supply chain traceability, with some calling it ‘bait to plate’.

Traceability has become a fundamental part of Australian Government policy, with the newly published National Agricultural Innovation Policy Statement October 2021 detailing four priority focus areas. In particular, priorities one, three and four focus on building world-class traceability systems that provide confidence and assurance of Australian product(s) sold from catch/farm through to the end consumer both domestically and internationally.

A discussion paper has been compiled by Ms Meaghan Dodd (Innovative Food Solutions) that defines traceability; explains why it is important; identifies barriers to adoption; documents laws, standards and guidelines; describes traceability element, systems and technologies; and suggests recommended actions and associated risks going forward. This paper is a living document that attempts to capture the complex and dynamic traceability environment.

LABELLING – PART B
All food sold in Australia must comply with the Food Standards Code. Food label claims are subject to Australian Consumer Law, prohibiting false, misleading or deceptive behaviour.

Australian seafood consumers face existing risks and confusion regarding species, nomenclature, and product misrepresentation.

A discussion paper (with summary) has been compiled by Mr Ewan Colquhoun (Ridge Partners Consultants and Advisers) that updates the issues, challenges and relevant laws, to suggest options and risks going forward. It is a living document which attempts to reflect a very dynamic food labelling environment.

The two discussion papers will be used as first version working documents, with further updates to occur every 12-18 months.

Final Report • 2021-12-31 • 2.94 MB

2020-093-DLD-Part B-Seafood Labelling Discussion Paper.pdf