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Stable isotopes: a rapid method to determine lobster diet and trace lobster origin?

Project number: 2021-020
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $31,890.00
Principal Investigator: John P. Keane
Organisation: University of Tasmania
Project start/end date: 30 Jun 2021 - 29 Jun 2022
Contact:
FRDC

Need

1. Tracing lobster origin
The need for determining whether stable isotopes are a useful tool for diet analysis and identification of catch location is a priority for the SRL fishery. If proved useful, this technology will allow for rapid identification and isolation of stock abnormalities – such as toxic algal blooms, which has potential to save a lot of time and money for fisheries management.

2. Invasive urchin controls
If results show that small lobsters do predate on urchins, this will be important for informing stock rebuilding targets and reference points relative to urchin control. Primarily we could advise on whether urchin control targets and performance indicators should be based on total lobster biomass or only large lobster biomass. For example, if small lobsters (140mm CL) are found to actively predate on small urchins, the pressure to rebuild the large lobster biomass (>140mm CL) may be reduced. This could in turn help to adapt the rebuild strategy, in line with effective urchin control.

Objectives

1. To determine the level of stable isotope variation within individual lobster tissues (e.g. muscle vs shell) and identify a non-lethal and minimally destructive method of sampling for stable isotopes.
2. To describe lobster diet off eastern Tasmania and quantify the role of smaller lobsters (&lt
140mm CL) in the predation and control of Longspined Sea Urchin in Tasmania.
3. To ascertain if stable isotopes can be used to identify catch location of individual lobsters post-harvest across SE Australia

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-922708-49-6
Authors: Jennifer E. Smith John Keane Michael Oellermann Craig Mundy & Caleb Gardner
Final Report • 2023-05-01 • 1.66 MB
2021-020-DLD.pdf

Summary

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.

Digital transformation of the WRL industry to help resolve challenges and leverage opportunities to grow GVP and maintain competitiveness

Project number: 2021-030
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $2,352,000.00
Principal Investigator: David C. Pietersen
Organisation: Western Rock Lobster Council Inc (WRLC)
Project start/end date: 14 Oct 2021 - 27 Jun 2024
Contact:
FRDC

Need

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT UNCERTAINTY
Lengthy engagement/negotiation periods, lack of visibility, and complicated processes surrounding the Management Plan creates uncertainty for the fishers and hinders their ability to plan. DPIRD implements requirements and controls that specify how the industry operates which can impact business efficiency and cost. This is exacerbated by current market conditions. This project will undertake research to understand how to improve co-management and increased visibility of markets and trade environments driven by data and technology.
INCONSISTENT COMPLIANCE WHICH IS UNCLEAR AND DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET
Multiple layers of compliance and reporting are required (vessel, on board, catch) and are managed by different entities (DoT, AMSA, DPIRD). Processes are unclear, difficult to interpret, inconsistently applied and systems are unstable and poorly designed. This leads to difficulty to consistently meet requirements and unnecessary operating pressure for the fishers. There is a need to ework with these entities in a co-management approach to develop mutually beneficial solutions to increase efficiency for all parties. This project will undertake research to determine how digital technology can be applied to Industry compliance requirements (DoT, AMSA, DPIRD) to improve efficiencies and fishery sustainability.
TECHNOLOGY MATURITY & INDUSTRY CULTURE
There is no ongoing research into fishing technology to ensure the industry remains abreast of developments and responds accordingly. Additionally, this is a generational industry perceived to be reluctant to adopt new ways of working. Focused research will be undertaken to understand how the industry can apply technology and innovation to strengthen the industry’s position and provide the necessary training to do so.
INEFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY, PROCESSES AND KNOWLEDGE TO SUPPORT LOCAL SALES.
The 'back of boat sales' initiative creates retail challenges for fishers seeking to serve the local market effectively and efficiently. There is a need to undertake research to determine how the industry can apply digital technology to serve and engage the community more effectively while ensuring compliance to government requirements.
INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
There is little community understanding of the Industry while Industry engagement is inefficient. Undertake ongoing focused research to understand how digital technology can be applied to strengthen engagement.

Objectives

1. Resource co-management and improved control of compliance and operational costs
2. Provide members with greater financial and operational certainty
3. Leverage technology to drive GVP growth for future resource security
4. Traceability systems that tracks catch to plate allowing market diversification, increased confidence in the product and brand recognition
5. Increased sustainability through efficient precision fishing backed by robust data analytics platforms that provides insights from different data sources

Preparing for Threats and Opportunities of Alternative Proteins

Project number: 2022-158
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $209,922.00
Principal Investigator: Paul R. Barnett
Organisation: The Growth Drivers (TGD)
Project start/end date: 7 Mar 2024 - 26 Nov 2024
Contact:
FRDC

Need

The demand for alternative proteins is increasing globally, and although the impact on the fishing and aquaculture sectors is lagging, it is an opportune time to review the potential risks and opportunities. This will help us reposition the sector to make use of the opportunities and mitigate the risks.

Our multidisciplinary team will deliver a detailed assessment of risks and opportunities, and engage stakeholders to understand their needs, concerns and impact pathways. We will use our analysis to demonstrate the potential pathways they can use to make use of the opportunities and mitigate the risks.

Our project will:
- Understand the opportunities and risks for the growing trend of alternative proteins on the fishing and aquaculture sectors and supply chain
- Assess the potential impacts of alternative proteins on the fishing and aquaculture sectors and supply chain through scenario modelling
- Engage deeply with fishing, aquaculture and related stakeholders to co-design interpretation of insights into risks and opportunities as well as formulating options and responses
- Make recommendations on how fishing and aquaculture sectors and enterprises might re-position to embrace benefits associated with alternative proteins, and respond to associated risks.

Relevant outcomes:
Outcome 1: Growth for enduring prosperity
Outcome 3: A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking
Outcome 5: Community trust, respect and value
Enabling strategy III: Promote innovation and entrepreneurship
Enabling Strategy IV: Build capability and capacity

Objectives

1. Understand the opportunities and risks for the growing trend of alternative proteins on the fishing and aquaculture sectors and supply chain
2. Assess the potential impacts of alternative proteins on the fishing and aquaculture sectors and supply chain
3. Make recommendations on how fishing and aquaculture sectors and enterprises might re-position to embrace benefits associated with alternative proteins, and respond to associated risks.
Adoption