22 results
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PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-085
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

National Snapper Workshop - Rebuilding our iconic Snapper stocks

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions organised and ran a national Snapper Workshop in Adelaide from the 12 to 14 November 2019 with funding from FRDC and the strong support of the Australian Fisheries Managers Forum. The workshop objectives were to: identify key issues and...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA)
SPECIES
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-142
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Resource Sharing in Australian Fisheries Workshop - Progress to Date, Lessons Learnt and Next Steps towards a harmonised approach

Resource sharing is a high priority for the Australian Fisheries Managers Forum (AFMF) with all Australian jurisdictions in the process of developing or having developed policies associated with this issue. Some have gone further and implemented resource sharing with limited success....
ORGANISATION:
FutureCatch Consulting
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-103
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Strategic Planning Workshop for Yellowtail Kingfish Stock Assessment in South-Eastern Australia

The project facilitated cross-jurisdictional and cross-sectoral discussions on aspects of the Eastern Australia biological stock of Yellowtail Kingfish. Several knowledge gaps relating to biological and life-history parameters, as well as reliable data on the recreational fishery across all...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW)

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
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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.
People
PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-055
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT

Developing a positive cultural attitude towards the capture and release of sharks and rays

This report summarises the outcomes of the Workshop on; prioritisation of species, identification of best-practice capture and handling, design of post-release survival studies, and development of effective communication campaigns, for developing positive behavioural change in recreational fishing...
ORGANISATION:
University of Adelaide
SPECIES

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
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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.
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PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-042
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Improving Outcomes of Fisher Interactions with Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras

This report summarises the outcomes of the Workshop on; prioritisation of species, identification of best-practice capture and handling, design of post-release survival studies, and development of effective communication campaigns, for developing positive behavioural change in recreational fishing...
ORGANISATION:
Monash University Clayton Campus
SPECIES
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-091
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Assessment of national-scale tracking of commercially important fish species

In this FRDC project, a team from Integrated Marine Observing System Animal Tracking Facility (IMOS ATF), in coordination with state and federal agencies and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Providers Network (RPN) met. They systematically reconfigured the IMOS ATF national network to...
ORGANISATION:
Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS)