Project Search

141 results

PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-048

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Improving mortality rate estimates for management of the Queensland Saucer Scallop fishery

This research was undertaken on the Queensland saucer scallop (Ylistrum balloti) fishery in southeast Queensland, which is an important component of the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (QECOTF). The research was undertaken by a collaborative team from the Queensland Department...

ORGANISATION:

Department of Primary Industries (QLD)

TAGS

SPECIES

Ballot's Saucer Scallop

PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-047

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Understanding environmental and fisheries factors causing fluctuations in mud crab and blue swimmer crab fisheries in northern Australia to inform harvest strategies

This project investigated relationships between environmental factors and harvests of crabs in the Gulf of Carpentaria (GoC), northern Australia. Desktop correlative analyses clearly indicated that recent fluctuations in the catches of Giant Mud Crabs in the GoC are most likely driven by...

ORGANISATION:

Department of Primary Industries (QLD)

TAGS

SPECIES

Environment Social Governance (ESG) framework plan for fisheries and aquaculture

Project number: 2023-126

Project Status:

Current

Budget expenditure: $100,000.00

Principal Investigator: Amy White

Organisation: ERM Australia Consultants Pty Ltd

Project start/end date: 30 Sep 2024 - 9 Mar 2025

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Need

The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) is seeking support to plan and develop an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework for fisheries and aquaculture to address the requirements of several stakeholders (government, investor, consumers) and be a leader addressing key current and emerging ESG trends and expectations. The ESG Framework would cover all fisheries and aquaculture sectors (Indigenous, commercial, wild catch, and recreational).

The proposal sets our suggested approach to developing an ESG framework development plan for Australian fisheries and aquaculture. It includes our proposed methodology, budget and work plan, as well as information on our team and experience.
The overarching objectives of this engagement are as follows:
- Identify the unifying purpose of an ESG framework for Australian fisheries and aquaculture, the drivers that will shape it and the intended audience.
- Review relevant frameworks, standards and agreements to identify existing requirements and best practice related to ESG for Australian fisheries and aquaculture.
- Provide options for how the Australian fisheries and aquaculture sector could design and structure an ESG framework aligned to existing frameworks and systems, and reflecting monitoring and evaluation aspirations and the unique needs of fisheries and aquaculture.
- Prepare an ESG framework development plan which clearly outlines and prioritises the steps that need to be taken to establish and build a mature framework for Australian fisheries and aquaculture.

Please refer to the attached file (Our Recommended Approach Section, pages 14 - 22) for our detailed approach based on our understanding of your needs (P0710649 Fisheries and aquaculture ESG Framework_V2_STC).

Objectives

1. To develop an ESG Framework Plan for fisheries and aquaculture covering all sectors (Indigenous, commercial wild catch, recreational fishing, aquaculture).

PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-098

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Southern Bluefin Tuna: Changing The Trajectory

Life on the Line is the true story of the Southern Bluefin Tuna, its biological traits and its history of exploitation and most recently its recovery. This documentary covers how research, managers and the fishing industry - commercial and recreational have contributed to the recovering status of...

ORGANISATION:

Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA)

TAGS

SPECIES

PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-097

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Reducing bycatch using modifications to sweeps and lines anterior to the trawl mouth - collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark

Prawn trawling is among the world's least selective fishing methods and there has been a great deal of work done over the past few decades to develop modifications that reduce unwanted bycatches. Much of this work has focussed on modifications at, or near, the codend (at the aft section) of trawls,...

ORGANISATION:

IC Independent Consulting Pty Ltd

TAGS

SPECIES

PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-140

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Digitising the Western Rock Lobster Industry

ORGANISATION:

Western Rock Lobster Council Inc (WRLC)

TAGS

SPECIES

PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-070

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Opportunities and impacts of range extending scalefish species: understanding population dynamics, ecosystem impacts and management needs

This work set out to quantify the biology and diet of three key range-shifting species in Tasmania with both recreational and commercial fishery value. The project was heavily reliant on engagement from the recreational fishing community and multiple citizen science initiatives, as well as...

ORGANISATION:

University of Tasmania

TAGS

Role of marine reserves in sustainable management of Australia's ocean estate - review of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands bioregion

Project number: 2023-205

Project Status:

Current

Budget expenditure: $119,200.00

Principal Investigator: Travis J. Baulch

Organisation: TJB Management Pty Ltd

Project start/end date: 23 Jun 2024 - 29 Sep 2024

Contact:

FRDC

SPECIES

Patagonian Toothfish

Need

The HIMI bioregion supports significant marine conservation values as well as a highly sustainable, and valuable commercial fishing industry. Typically, marine parks/reserve development processes are tasked with developing marine spatial planning arrangements that achieve a balance between preserving conservation values of the area and maintaining/promoting human activities through the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). However, key uncertainties remain regarding the policy priorities and how the final design of marine parks are objectively determined.

This project will provide an independent assessment of the framework used for original design of the HIMI Marine Reserve in 2002, the review in 2014, and the current review to provide recommendations for future development. The project will also explore how/if the policy objectives have been achieved since inception . Furthermore, this project will explore the potential of a quantitative risk-based approach to provide for minimising the uncertainties in the Marine Protected Area (MPA) development processes and deliver an objective framework.

In addition, the project will explore the current HIMI marine reserve framework, the associated commercial fishing industry arrangements and how they intersect with regard to:

Regulation
• Regulatory processes to minimise impacts of commercial fishing
• Legislative framework currently in place for Ecological Risk Assessment/ESD, Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management, bycatch policy strategic research plans
• Marine Protected Areas review processes
• Statutory Fishing Rights (SFRs)

Economic impacts
• Commercial fishing viability
• Statutory fishing rights
• Permitted fishing gear types – (e.g. potential removal of MSC certified trawl fisheries with additional implications on research activity)

Biological impacts
• Impact on juvenile toothfish index of abundance and icefish estimates – accuracy of tracking stock will be significantly reduced if ability to trawl is removed (i.e. random stratified trawl survey impacted)
• Stock assessment model ability to consider toothfish population structure if longline fishery further constrained
• Climate change and effects of population shift
• Increasing policy position of MPAs as fisheries management tools
• Increased localised depletion and constrained ability to distribute commercial fishing effort

Social Impacts
• Market access
• Community sentiment

Objectives

1. Evaluate the technical approach used in the design of the HIMI marine reserve with specific reference to scientific and policy objectives

2. Examine management plan frameworks in regard to research outcomes since plan implementation

3. Provide recommendations in relation to review of the HIMI marine reserve

Final report

Authors: Travis Baulch Colin D. Buxton Rick Fletcher and Alistair J. Hobday

Final Report • 2024-11-01 • 2.10 MB

2023-205-DLD.pdf

Summary

The statutory requirement to undertake a 10-year review of the Heard and McDonald Islands (HIMI) Marine Reserve led to a proposal to expand the HIMI marine reserve and include new National Park Zones (IUCN II) and Habitat Protection Zone (IUCN IV) arrangements. Subsequently, the total area of the HIMI Marine Reserve has been increased to 379,070 square kilometres, a 400% increase over the previous marine reserve. This report aims to assess how current (and proposed) management frameworks relate to the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA) objectives, but also the extent to which they meet the overarching principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) which requires holistic consideration of all relevant environment, social and economic objectives, as well as meeting obligations under various international legislation and conventions. As the expansion incorporates the area within which Australia’s Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery operates, this report explores the basis of the expansion with particular reference to the implications for future fishery arrangements, management frameworks and longer-term fishery viability.

PROJECT NUMBER • 2022-066

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED