National Recreational Fishing Conference bursary 2019
This bursary will deliver against one of Recreational Fishing Research’s RD&E priorities this year: “Upskilling current and emerging leaders within the recreational fishing community”. The bursary will also deliver against the FRDC nominated RD&E priority of “People development”. The National Conference is an excellent opportunity to bring young leaders together to learn about and discuss topical issues and the applications of citizen science to the future of recreational fishing.
Engagements with the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, and representatives from several state peak bodies have indicated there is a real need to create more learning and development opportunities for current and emerging leaders in the community. This proposal will outline how state peak bodies and the recreational fishing community will be engaged with the aim of sending 2 representatives from each state to the National Conference. This project will give bursary recipients a forum to share their goals and visions for recreational fishing with other leaders before the conference, mentorship during the conference itself, and a platform to share their learning and intentions after the conference.
Final report
Over the 10th and 11th of December 2019, the Australian Recreational Fishing Federation held their biannual National recreational Fishing Conference in Hobart, Tasmania. The theme of this conference was “Our Fishing. Our Research. Our Recreational Future”.
In response to the ARFF’s request, the FRDC commissioned a bursary program for 16 individuals from around the country (2 from NT, QLD, TAS, VIC and WA, 3 from NSW, 1 from SA, and 2 Indigenous representatives). 5 leaders from the Victorian Fishing Authority’s Women in Recreational Fishing (WIRF) network were also invited to join activities organised for the bursary winner, and 2 members of Recfish West, whose expenses were paid by Recfish West were also allowed to join the activities.
Program participants attended a half-day introductory workshop the day before the conference, had full access to all conference activities for the 10th -11th of December including the gala dinner, and attended a half-day consolidation workshop on the 12th when feedback was gathered before returning home.
Bursary recipients
Upon application, the bursary winners provided answers to the following:
- Why do you wish to attend this specific conference?
- What do you intend to do for the recreational fishing community upon your return from the conference?
- Howard Jones (TAS) - Executive member of Anglers Alliance Tasmania.
- Gary France (TAS) - Anglers Alliance Tasmania.
- Mitchell McMaster (VIC) - Geelong and Bellarine Facilitator for Fishcare.
- Tom Clayson (VIC) - Member of Fishcare.
- Laura Schroder (SA) - Marine Scientist
- Melita McKinnon (NT) - Amateur Fishermen’s Association Northern Territory, Darwin Game Fishing Club
- Kurt Davis (QLD) - Marine Scientist
- Robbie Porter (QLD) - Central Moreton Bay Chapter for OzFish Unlimited
- Adam Martin (NSW) - Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation
- Eric Burns (NSW) - Jindabyne Branch of the Monaro Acclimatization Society
- David Harris (NSW) - Team leader Inland Waterways OsFish Unlimited
- Alanna Hubbard (WA) - Recfishwests
- Steph Watts (WA) - Recfishwest,
Seafood Escape Showcasing NSW
Extension and synthesis of key FRDC research areas
The FRDC have been looking at how best to undertake extension of research projects. A number of options and solutions have been identified. One considered and supported by attendees at the Annual FRDC Stakeholder Workshop. is to undertaken issue specific analysis – research synthesis.
Final report
Harvest strategies provide pre-planned actions ensuring sustainable fish populations while considering economic and social aspects. This report summarises an extension webinar where researchers, managers, and stakeholders discussed the development and implementation of these strategies. The FRDC has funded several past and current projects pertaining to Harvest Strategy development and implementation and continues to receive interest from a range of stakeholders around further research and development opportunities in this space. To promote discussion, extension, and adoption across current and recent related investments in harvest strategy R&D, the FRDC hosted an independently facilitated extension webinar. The webinar provided an opportunity for Project Investigators to socialise their research, extend the latest learning in this dynamic policy/research space, and promote a dialogue among research providers, fisheries managers, and harvest strategy practitioners.
FRDC also intended the webinar to inform the ongoing review of national guidelines for developing harvest strategies. This review aims to ensure these strategies align with best practices and address evolving challenges. The webinar identified three key themes: technical approaches, stakeholder engagement, and policy development. Future research needs include addressing multi-sector fisheries, spatial management, and climate impacts. The overall conclusion emphasizes a collaborative, data-driven approach that incorporates diverse stakeholder voices for effective fisheries management.
Project products
2019 Bi-Annual Seafood Industry Awards
Fish and Chips Awards 2019 - development of long term strategy
In 2017-18 the FRDC undertook a new approach to the Bi-Annual Seafood Awards. The goal was to create debate around seafood, raise its profile and use this as a vehicle to promote information about sustainability, fisheries management and the R&D being undertaken to underpin it. The approach worked very well generating over 90,000 votes, hundreds of media articles and millions of consumer views of that media coverage.
There is a need to ensure that the base that developed in the first two years is not lost and that the FRDC build on it further.
The initial trial delivered positive results, however their is a great deal of opportunity to still capitalise upon. Delivering content to the 60,000 subscribers and showcase to consumers how sustainable the Australian seafood industry has become.
In 2019 the other driver is the Biennial Seafood Directions conference and National Seafood Awards are on again - with fish and chips again a category.
There is also a need for FRDC to demonstrate how an activity such as the Awards can deliver tangible results - to do this the FRDC are looking to drive opinion with consumers and behaviour with shops.