The catches of Australia’s rock lobster fisheries are at or near their maximum level. However, adding value to the rocklobster catch will ensure continuing and improved returns for industry. This can be achieved by way of enshrining maximum quality on delivery to the processing factories, maximum survival of live lobsters shipped to overseas destinations, perfect cooking regimes for the portion of the product processed for this market either in Australia or overseas, the maximum recovery during processing, and a continuous maintenance and upgrading of handling conditions, maintaining and improving health and safety conditions, and having respect for community welfare concerns.

The purpose of the Subprogram is to work with industry to identify the opportunities and priorities to enhance products and profitability and to assist industry meet these challenges. It then seeks to identify and support the research needed to provide answers to permit industry to grasp these opportunities, in a cost effective and timely manner. The outcomes of the research are rapidly provided to industry in a form that allows industry to capture the benefits of the research for the Australian industry. Of special importance is the need for the Subprogram to co-ordinate research effort, eliminate duplication of applications and ensure that projects are relevant.

The global market for lobsters now demands Australia to compete effectively in these markets, and the subprogram assists in ensuring that there is capacity to achieve this to allow the industry to maintain and improve its competitive advantage.

RESEARCH RELEVANCE AND ACCEPTANCE

FRDC is continually asked to fund a wide range of projects in the rock lobster post harvest area. These include studies of post-capture handling, transport, live holding cooking, packing, storing, freezing, Australian and international shipping, etc. To ensure that the investment in R&D results in significant profits for the industry it uses the Subprogram to assist it to measure the quality of science of the application, plan the research with industry partners to ensure improved outcomes, develop a comprehensive extension program, and ensure a high level of adoption of the results.

The Subprogram has achieved a high degree of research coordination between the States and an effective communication strategy to ensure service delivery to the industry. The Subprogram has added value to the FRDC's research investment by managing its project portfolio in this manner. This could not have been achieved without an independent Subprogram Leader and a highl responsive Steering Committee that is represented by industry members across Australia.

RESEARCH EFFICIENCY

Because of the Subprogram there have been substantive savings in the operation of projects and in the funding approved for new projects. The Subprogram ensures that the projects are appropriately costed, involves the industry in the projects where ever possible, and coordinates travel and workshop budjets to ensure a more efficient use of limited research funds.

NEW PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

As an indication of needs. The Subprogram is currently examining projects looking at:

1. Designing improved baskets for transporting both western and southern rock lobster lobsters. This project will be developed mainly with non FRDC funding.

Basket designs vary widely in the industry. The were developed add-hock all over different parts of the fisheries and all over Australia. In recent years there have been many modifictions to original designs as fishers attempted to transport ever increasing numbers of lobsters in a condition 'suitable for live export'. A better designed basket could provide financial savings to fishers and processors, and perhaps make them an interchangable item, similar to the use of wooden pallets in other industries. In addition, a better basket could assist with health and saftey issues, becuse many of the present baskets in use result in excessively heavy loads being carried, which may cause back damage.

2. Solving the “pink lobster” problem (2003/243)in western rock lobsters which is causing problems for both the wild fishery and processors.

Lobsters with pink flesh are difficult for processors to sell and the definiely get a reduced price. This is also a problem for fishers who, knowing of the processors problems, often tend to discsrd these lobsters at sea. It is mainly a western rock lobster problem but it does occur on a small scale in southern rock lobsters in SA.

3. Value adding the southern rock lobster catch by optimising flesh quality of uder valued large lobsters for the sashimi market (2003/242).

Large southern lobsters are difficult if not impossible to sell and if the are sold it is a very low prices. The possibility of value adding to these lobsters by 'preparing them' for the sashimi market is to be examined.

4. Production a booklet assisting sales of rock lobsters by advising overseas buyers how best to hold live rock lobsters; and documenting the operations of the market in Hong Kong for southern rock lobsters to assist Australian marketers from South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.

5. The cooking project 2001/235 will lead to dramatic new projects after completing of this study. Progress in this project has impressed the industry and clearly indicated that significant improvements improvements can be made in this area. The cooking techniques in practice can greatly improved. Innovate methods such an microwave cooking will be investigated.

Other projects will be developed after identification and consultation with industry. In all cases the Subprogram seeks quality scientific studies using innovative approaches, with maximum cost effectiveness.

The need for a coordinated sub-program, and research projects focussing on collection and neutrality, nutrition, health and system design and handling has been outlined in the background to this submission. Further evidence of the need for this and the other sub-program projects includes:

Project 1: COORDINATION AND SUB-PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: At a planning workshop in Hobart in 1997, an open forum of all participants identified 21 issues of concern to the aquaculture of rock lobsters. These were condensed into five major issues with each major issues condensed examined in detail by a discussion group. One of the five major issues was project management. Based on the range of research issues and other programs related to rock lobsters, well facilitated project management was considered a fundamental priority. With increasing demands being placed on scientists by their host organisations, the role of Sub-program Leader in addition to project commitments can be impossible to fulfil adequately. A dedicated Sub-program Leader will ensure the Sub-program runs effectively and objectives are delivered on time to the industry.

Project 2: COLLECTION AND NEUTRALITY: Before any large scale commercial on-growing of postlarvae is permitted, it will be necessary to establish what effect large scale harvesting of pueruli might have on the wild stock. A second critical need to the success of any commercial venture into rock lobster postlarval growout is that techniques be developed to harvest huge quantities of healthy pueruli. Research is needed to estimate the likely impact of large-scale harvesting of puerulus on the commercial fishery and to establish methods and equipment necessary to catch large quantities of pueruli in the most cost-effective way.

Project 3: NUTRITION: In Australia, opportunities to value add to the wild catch of lobsters or to on-grow juveniles taken from the wild is seriously constrained by the lack of a cost-effective and efficacious rock lobster feed. This contrasts with the developing industry in New Zealand where waste from the large mussel industry is an available and inexpensive source of feed. If feed comprises 40-50% of rock lobster production costs as is the case in other aquaculture industries (prawns, finfish), the development of a suitable manufactured feed is crucial for the successful establishment of rock lobster aquaculture in Australia.

Project 4: HEALTH: Due to the infancy of rock lobster aquaculture, disease conditions associated with production are poorly understood. Similarly, the prevalence of disease conditions in wildstock and their likely impact in aquaculture systems or extended holding systems has yet to be determined. While other factors associated with the establishment of rock lobster aquaculture are perceived as a higher priority, it is recognised that health monitoring and the early identification of diseases that may affect production is critical. In the short term, there is a need to establish a mechanism for the monitoring of disease conditions of juvenile and adult lobsters in land-based and sea-based holding systems. This will not only provide industry with a means of assessment of moribund lobsters, but will facilitate the identification of health research priorities.

Project 5: SYSTEM DESIGN AND HANDLING: Rock lobster fisheries throughout the world are generally fully or over-exploited while market demand remains very high with this product positioned at the premium end of the crustacean market spectrum. The proposed research will assist in increasing supply of this valuable product in a sustainable way and will consequently decrease pressure on wild populations. System design and basic husbandry information must be completed in conjunction with health and nutrition research as these factors combine to influence the efficiency of production.