Australian and New Zealand Rock Lobster is a high value product that has strong recognition in their local and export markets. There is significant capital investment across the combined jurisdictions of the Trans-Tasman lobster fisheries. As with most other wild caught fisheries and seafood sectors Trans-Tasman lobster fisheries face similar challenges in regards to, sustainability, threats to / competition for the resource and resource access, product quality and food safety, implications from aquaculture production and applying and taking advantage of new and emerging technologies. In addition to these common industry issues, lobster fisheries produce a product that is predominantly for live export which adds further challenges such as barriers to trade and trade agreements, complex supply chains and understanding the ‘what and where’ of new market opportunities.

Well organised and educational forums such as Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congresses enable a sharing of information and a collaborative approach to addressing challenges and sharing successes. Since first being held in 1999 the biennial Rock Lobster conferences have become the pre-eminent forum for the respective Trans-Tasman lobster industries to consider and address the many challenges across the supply chain. There is never a shortage of key issues and topics to address and bring together in a common theme to deliver a successful Trans-Tasman Industry Congress that has the support of all the key industry bodies and wider stakeholders.

The history of successful Trans-Tasman Industry Congresses, speaks for itself.
Trans-Tasman Congresses have well established support of all the key industry bodies and wider stakeholder interests with all lobster producing jurisdictions having now hosted an event. This history combined with the experience, existing contacts, establishing themes, producing engaging programmes, having informative exhibitions, attracting quality keynote speakers - both local and international, continuing sponsorship from service providers and the ability to attract the general support of industry ensure there is a pool of support and knowledge to deliver successful congresses

Initial Contributions (2023):
• Total combined initial contributions will be to a maximum of $30,000.00.
• Request a cash contribution from the NZRLIC.
• Request a contribution from the Eastern Rock Lobster Industry.
• Contribution from the SRL IPA.
• Contribution from the WRL IPA.

Proposed Governance Arrangements:
• The Managing Entity (ME) i.e. the industry body responsible for administering the congress in a particular year, will be responsible for holding and managing the ‘kitty’ of funds.
• ‘Surplus’ funds will be used to fund the administration, hosting and attendance of any planning meetings conducted in the ‘interim year’, this process will be managed by the ME responsible for hosting the most recent (past) Trans Tasman Congress.
• PI & Co-Investigators will discuss and confirm the amount required for future initial contributions.

The RD&E workshop will target up to 50 of WA's leading industry members, who will combine with government and university professionals to identify research priorities for WA. This is the inaugural event for an annual workshop that will iteratively update an RD&E plan for WA. The event will be held on 28 March at the Fremantle Sailing Club, with the venue, most presenters and the event facilitator confirmed.

Benefit to be provided to FRDC
Access
- 1 x Complimentary ticket to Thursday’s BioInnovation Conference
- 1 x Complementary registration for Welcome dinner
- 2 x tickets to the RD&E workshop

Recognition
- Acknowledgement at the opening and closing of all events
- One pull-up banner for display at the conference & workshop
- Your logo will appear on sponsor slides during the events
- Your logo will appear on digital content relating to all events, including LinkedIn posts and newsletters
- Your logo and 200-word profile, available on the festival website

Promotion
- A speaker role at the Thursday Conference to promote Finnovation.
- A speaker role at the Friday RD&E Workshop

The project involves significant collaboration and co-investment by sector partners. This includes cash funding from the aquaculture council of WA ($6300 ex. GST), in-kind contributions from DPIRD (estimated at $2,300 ex GST), university and industry presenters (TBD).