167 results

Review of regulation and policy guiding use of artificial reefs and Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD) in Australian waters

Project number: 2021-046
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $226,750.00
Principal Investigator: Daryl McPhee
Organisation: Bond University
Project start/end date: 31 Jan 2022 - 30 Jan 2023
:

Need

Globally, Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and artificial reefs are increasingly used tools to enhance fisheries – particularly recreational fisheries. Over the last decade there has been greater use of these tools in Australia. In recent years, FADs have been increasingly deployed including in Commonwealth waters for the purpose of enhancing recreational fisheries managed by state governments. There are concerns that the recent rapid deployment of FADs, particularly in Commonwealth waters have negatively impacted the operations of some Commonwealth fisheries such as the East Coast Tuna and Billfish Fishery. There are also marine safety concerns which extends beyond just commercial fishing vessels. There is a need to better understand the regulatory environment for FADs and artificial reefs to ensure that benefits can be realised while impacts avoided or mitigated. The regulatory environment for the deployment of FADs (and artificial reefs) in Commonwealth waters is potentially different from that when they are deployed in state waters. It also extends beyond fisheries legislation and includes the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999), the Sea and Submerged Lands Act 1973, and the Navigation Act 2012. The administration of these Acts and associated subordinate legislation crosses several government agencies. In relation to the EPBC Act 1999, the Commonwealth marine area is a Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES). There is however little specific guidance as to whether FADs potentially impact MNES and how any impacts can be mitigated. In addition to better understand the complex regulatory environment, there is a need to develop more effective and fit for purpose engagement strategies with all stakeholders. There is a need for national project as it is an issue which is now cross jurisdictional.

Please note we have attached responses from three State Ministers indicating their support for a collaborative approach to this issue.

Objectives

1. Identification of the current regulatory and policy frameworks in all Australian jurisdictions that guide or impact the deployment and use of FADs and artificial reefs in State, Territory and Commonwealth waters.
2. Identification of the current and projected use of FADs and artificial reefs in Australian jurisdictions.
3. With relevant input through a workshop and other tools where appropriate, development of a best practice guide for the planning, sighting and deployment of FADs and artificial reefs.
Industry
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-214
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Survey for WSSV vectors in the Moreton Bay White Spot Biosecurity Area

The objective of this project was to undertake opportunistic plankton sampling and collect small non-commercial species of decapod crustaceans in northern Moreton Bay and near the intakes of the three prawn farms which remained operating on the Logan River during April and May 2020, at a time when...
ORGANISATION:
DigsFish Services Pty Ltd
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Digital Campaign: Innovation, sustainability, labour retention in Western Australian inshore fisheries - National video stories investment

Project number: 2022-209
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $182,505.00
Principal Investigator: Darryl P. Anderson
Organisation: Anvil Media
Project start/end date: 13 Jul 2023 - 30 Jan 2024
:

Need

FRDC has an already developed video and image library, however, does not have the resources to keep it supplied with new and relevant images, or to produce a series of short video clips and capture professional photos to showcase the innovation and sustanability of Australia's commercial fisheries. This is planned as a Phase #1 proof of concept project focusing on fisheries in 3 states: WA, SA and Queensland.

There is a need to produce a digital campaign that encapsulates the stories of commercial fishers and the role of their seafood supply locally and outside of Australia. These fisheries, their people, their fishing techniques and their markets have changed considerably over time. This presents an opportunity to showcase these changes –the new fisheries, the innovations and the inspiring young people taking over the reins.

This project is well aligned with the FRDC’s Strategic R&D priorities, and aims to build community, trust, respect and value (FRDC R&D Plan 2020-2025: Outcome 5) by providing foundational information and support services (FRDC R&D Plan 2020-2025: Enabling Strategy V).

Objectives

1. Increase the awareness of innovation and sustainability in wild catch seafood producers and their link to ongoing local seafood supply.
2. Increase the socio-economic development in coastal fishing communities.
3. Improve social acceptability and perception of the people, products, and organisations who are part of the regions featured in the series.

Website

Website • 2025-01-22
Take a Deep Dive_FRDC

Summary

This project developed a suite of videos that showcased an unbiased and authentic perspective on what the commercial wild catch sector looks like from the fishers' perspective. Through a series of interviews, each video focuses on the themes of - career opportunities, sustainability within wild catch fishing, innovation across the sector and its socio-economic benefits.
 
The videos were used in a social media campaign "Take a deep dive into wild catch fishing" with further details on the campaign and the videos available on the FRDC website here: https://www.frdc.com.au/take-deep-dive-wildcatch-fishing
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Animal Welfare – what we do know and where to from here?

Project number: 2022-146
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $75,000.00
Principal Investigator: Daryl McPhee
Organisation: McPhee Research Consultants Pty Ltd
Project start/end date: 30 Nov 2023 - 2 Aug 2024
:

Need

The topic of animal welfare in fisheries remains highly contentious and contested and there is a need to find both common ground and to understand and respect the diversity of views. Failure to do so represents a financial risk to wildcatch fisheries and aquaculture and some recreational fishing activities. Animal welfare issues continue be a community focus, and more focus is being placed on the welfare of fish and selected marine invertebrates (e.g. crustaceans and cephalopods). Active campaigns of various types and levels of organisation that oppose fishing activities are not uncommon and garner attention. This project aims to consolidate our knowledge of animal welfare issues of direct relevance to FRDC and its stakeholders and provide a way forward for future research investment that is tailored to FRDC's legislative remit and the needs of its stakeholders.

There has been a considerable number of publications globally that have tackled the topic and provided a diversity of perspectives on the issue. A single workshop and report are not going to unify thinking around the question. The workshop will have a starting point that the question “do fish feel pain” is an issue that there is a diversity of views on the topic, and the focus is on currently accepted best practices and continual improvement in those practices. The workshop will have a session that focuses on community perceptions and highlighting the legitimacy of considering the community perceptions.

Objectives

1. Undertake a review of key findings of previous relevant research on animal welfare in Australia, and a review of contemporary peer reviewed material on aquatic animal welfare issues, and prepare this review to inform a stakeholder workshop.
2. List key contemporary issues and developments that are relevant animal welfare in Australia since 2020.
3. Undertake a stakeholder workshop that identifies information needs and identifies and prioritises research gaps.
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