1. RESEARCH RELEVANCE AND ACCEPTANCE

The RLEAS is recognised as the focal point for rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture research. The Australian Southern Rock Lobster Industry has identified rock lobster culture and grow-out as a high priority and their strategic plan has identified the RLEAS as the basis for on-going development in this area through strategic alliances. Tropical rock lobsters are seen as holding the greatest short term potential as an aquaculture species. MG Kailis commenced independent research with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries into propagation and grow-out of P.ornatus, but have now invested in collaborative research within the RLEAS having recognised the scope of the task and the need for a coordinated approach. The potential value of rock lobster aquaculture and the RLEAS is evidenced by the fact that the projects operating within the Subprogram have attracted $4.5 million in cash contributions between 1998 and 2006. There is a need to maintain this focal point for rock lobster enhancement and aquaculture research to ensure the science remains relevant, to attract additional investment, to coordinate research nationally and where appropriate, internationally, and to ensure all opportunities are being captured.

2. RESEARCH EFFICIENCY AND OUTPUT

To date, the RLEAS has managed a portfolio of 19 projects representing a total investment from FRDC and stakeholders of nearly $17 million between 1998 and 2006. Outcomes from 12 of these projects have been delivered to date. Not only have the activities of the RLEAS and its Steering Committee ensured that this research remains highly focused, but it has fostered collaboration that would have been unlikely to eventuate in the absence of the subprogram. In addition, the strategic management provided by the RLEAS and the Subprogram Leader have ensured savings in project costs that far exceed the cost of running the coordination component of the subprogram. The coordination component of the RLEAS represents only 3.5% of the total investment in the subprogram, with travel costs for researchers and stakeholders managed through the coordination projects representing more than half of this cost. It is essential to maintain an independent Subprogram Leader to coordinate a national project of this nature, and as projects representing more than $8 million are still active within the RLEAS, on-going management is required to ensure relevant outcomes are delivered to industry.

Since 2000 FRDC has invested, through its public good, considerable resources in emerging and developing aquaculture species. There have been some slight changes in the direction taken, but overall very little has changed. For example, abalone and barramundi aquaculture are now seen as mature sectors that should not obtain the degree of public good investment they received in the past. These areas have traditionally been managed as individual sectors with little cross fertilisation.

In the recent funding round, six new applications in the emerging and developing species aquaculture category were submitted. As such, it was considered that the FRDC should revise its investment strategy in this area. This would involve FRDC ceasing its individual sector based approach using public good funds and initiating a Emerging and Developing Aquaculture Species Program.

In addition, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) has been involved in the development of new rural industries and has recently published reports regarding critical success factors (Critical Success Factors in New Rural Industries, RIRDC Publication 09/002, March 2009) and turning good ideas into profitable ventures. The RIRDC has also been involved in the investment in fisheries related programs regarding the development of aquaculture species. The FRDC is keen to engage in this process and co-invest in fisheries related R&D.