PROJECT NUMBER
•
2023-072
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
ORGANISATION:
OceanWatch Australia Ltd
11 results
Professionalising Industry - NSW Pilot
Project number:
2013-024
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$200,000.00
Principal Investigator:
Lowri Pryce
Organisation:
OceanWatch Australia Ltd
Project start/end date:
9 Jun 2013
-
31 Jul 2014
Contact:
FRDC
This application is in response to the priorities identified in the NSW FRAB's recent stakeholder priorities workshop (developing the professional credentials of the NSW Fishermen).
This pilot will assist the NSW SFM Pilot (CRC Project MB079) and SSA EOI (AS015), by ground-truthing the industry on-ground components of the Responsible Fishing Scheme within the NSW context, but will be designed and implemented to keep the national context as a future capability.
In addition, the application is in response to, and addresses the need of, the FRDC R&DE Priorities areas as follows; Program 1: Environment (Theme 4 - Ecologically sustainable development),Program 3: communities (Theme 10 - Resilient and supportive communities) Program 4: People development (Theme 12 - Workforce development) (Theme 13 - Innovation skills) and Program 5: Extension and adoption.
The project will also embrace previous industry development research outputs not extended to stakeholders including the ASIC Code of Conduct for a Responsible Seafood Industry and the Sydney Fish Market Seafood Handling Guidelines, as well as lifting the profile of the existence, contents and benefits of industry adopted codes of practice amongst NSW fishers.
Extension of the project outcomes will also have the potential to provide a mechanism for expressing industry’s values (both individual and as collectives) to communities and other stakeholders, by highlighting the environmental credentials of participating fishermen .
1. Gain industry support for uptake of CoPs in NSW and industry training and accreditation
2. After feedback from industry, review and align current NSW Estuary fishery Code of Practice to FAO (international)and ASIC (national) codes -
3. Develop training materials for fishers focussing on fishing practices fishery regulations and environmental best practice aligned with the Seafood Training Package
4. Train NSW SeaNet Officer in Cert 4 Workplace Training and Assessment
5. Deliver training workshops to fishers as a pilot, assess and accredit against training package competencies
6. Acknowledge successful participants as "Master Fishermen"
7. Create interactive database of supporting information
8. extend results of the project to stakeholders and consumers
Final report
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2008-036
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
ORGANISATION:
OceanWatch Australia Ltd
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2009-328
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
ORGANISATION:
OceanWatch Australia Ltd
Hoppers in action: a handbook for fishers on the use of hoppers in Australian prawn trawl fisheries
Project number:
2003-012
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$61,311.90
Principal Investigator:
Christine Soul
Organisation:
OceanWatch Australia Ltd
Project start/end date:
29 Jun 2003
-
17 Jun 2005
Contact:
FRDC
Research undertaken in the Queensland 'hopper' pilot study and South Australia's Spencer Gulf prawn trawl fishery has suggested that the use of hoppers in prawn trawl operations can enhance the survival of bycatch species. Whilst preliminary results from both the Queensland pilot study and current research in the Spencer Gulf support these suggestions, there exists various views across Australian as to whether hoppers actually do make a positive contribution towards increasing the survival of bycatch species.
Over the last few years, the uptake of hoppers in Australian prawn trawl fisheries has increased, with many vessels in the Northern Prawn, Exmouth Gulf, Spencer Gulf and Gulf of St Vincent prawn trawl fisheries now using hoppers. In most of these fisheries the rate of adoption has been driven by the economic benefits relevant to improved product quality and increased operational efficiencies when using hoppers. However, a coordinated and cooperative review to determine and quantify the effects of hoppers has not been undertaken.
NORMAC’s Bycatch Action Plan has identified research into the effects of hoppers on bycatch survival as a ‘high priority’. The East Coast Trawl Plan also includes the need to reduce bycatch by 40% by 2005 and flags that hoppers could assist this target. SARDI have proposed that hoppers, used as part of a suite of bycatch mitigation strategies, could improve bycatch survival. NSW estuary prawn trawl operators supported the concept of hoppers and the need for further research into hoppers was identified as a 'high priority' at the Estuary Prawn Trawl MAC meeting held at NSW Fisheries in July 2002.
Both CSIRO and SARDI submitted industry-supported hopper focused research applications into their respective FRABs for this current round of FRDC funding. Both proposals included the involvement of SeaNet officers to facilitate industry involvement in documenting the current use and understanding of hopper operations and assist with the extension of information across identified target fisheries.
An independently facilitated workshop was held in September 2002 to bring together industry and research stakeholders from both Commonwealth and State prawn trawl fisheries in WA, SA, NSW and Queensland (East Coast Trawl and Torres Strait) to progress the development of a national hopper R&D framework. Outcomes from the workshop supported the need of a coordinated national project approach to be developed, with respect to future research, education and communication activities relevant to hoppers.
1. Undertake a national and international literature review of existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers and document and identify research gaps.
2. Document, via a technical handbook, the use, designs, practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.
3. Hold a technical workshop to facilitate the development of a technical handbook which overviews hopper technology, provides advice on improving operational practices, case studies existing developments and includes the results of the literature review.
4. Extend the handbook to fishers via a series of key port visits.
5. Provide information to fishery and environmental managers and the general community on existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices.
6. Provide guidance and advice to industry and fishery managers about R&D priorities relevant to improving and extending hopper use and technology within Australian prawn trawl fisheries.
Final report
ISBN:
0-9750797-4-3
Author:
Christine Soul
Final Report
•
2005-04-16
•
269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf
This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers. It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival
The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries. It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.
Workshop to develop a national strategy for hopper R&D in Australian prawn trawl fisheries
Project number:
2002-100
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$10,000.00
Principal Investigator:
Christine Soul
Organisation:
OceanWatch Australia Ltd
Project start/end date:
3 Sep 2002
-
1 Jul 2003
Contact:
FRDC
It has been suggested that the use of hoppers in prawn trawl fisheries can minimise the effects on bycatch species. Preliminary results from both the Queensland pilot study and research in SA’s Spencer Gulf Prawn trawl fishery support these suggestions. The uptake of hoppers in Australian prawn trawl fisheries is increasing, however, a coordinated and cooperative research approach to quantitatively determine the effects of hoppers has not been attempted.NORMAC’s Bycatch Action Plan has identified research into the effects of hoppers on bycatch survival as a ‘high priority’. The East Coast Trawl Plan also includes the need to reduce bycatch by 40% by 2005 and flags that hoppers could assist achieve this target. SARDI have proposed that hoppers, used as part of a suite of bycatch mitigation devices, could improve bycatch survival.
1. Coordinate and run a facilitated workshop to identify and document a national approach for research on hoppers in Australian trawl fisheries
2. Develop a framework to deliver a coordinated and cooperative national hopper research project
3. Identify and bring together key project stakeholders from research and industry to develop this framework
Final report
Author:
Christine Soul
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2003-063
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
Adoption of an environmental management systems by NSW commercial estuary fishers and oyster farmers
This project has provided estuary fishers and oyster farmers across NSW with an opportunity to develop an Environmental Management System (EMS), based on ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems for their businesses.
The main driver for each group to develop an EMS was primarily improving...
ORGANISATION:
OceanWatch Australia Ltd
SPECIES
Seafood Industry Partnerships in Schools - Phase 2 Program
Project number:
2012-302
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$150,000.00
Principal Investigator:
Lowri Pryce
Organisation:
OceanWatch Australia Ltd
Project start/end date:
16 Apr 2012
-
27 Feb 2014
Contact:
FRDC
Lack of knowledge by community has contributed to poor perception of industry and negative community attitudes. Teachers are ill-informed about industry’s efforts to operate in a sustainable manner; once informed-they incorporate better knowledge into their teaching program. The long-term benefits for industry with a better informed community are considerable.
The SIPS-Tasmanian-Pilot indicated teachers have difficulty accessing information about the marine environment, sustainable fishing/marine farm practices, and post-harvest sector. Developing/delivering this information within a metropolitan context is a key challenge of this program. Fishermen/Farmers and the post harvest sector are seeking avenues to engage with their local community to secure their social licence to operate - this program gives them a community a voice and a connection with the next generation. An informed community can actively engage in debate around issues affecting industry and the seafood supply - particularly at point-of-sale. Delivering this information to schoolchildren and teachers in a metropolitan context is key.
With the assistance and support of key groups such as the Sydney Fish Market, Master Fish Merchants of Australia, and NSW Fishermens’ Cooperative Association, and our in-house experience of working with the NSW Department of Education, and with various state-based teachers associations on our 'Our Valuable Estuaries' projects - OceanWatch Australia has the ability, determination and support of industry, to make this project succeed.
1. Facilitate new and existing educational partnerships between schools and industry operators.
2. Increase community understanding of the complexities of marine resource utilisation
3. Increase industry capacity to tell its sustainability story to the community
Final report
Author:
Lowri Pryce
Engagement for Success: evaluation of engagement events to inform industry management strategies
Project number:
2019-074
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure:
$135,450.00
Principal Investigator:
Lowri Pryce
Organisation:
OceanWatch Australia Ltd
Project start/end date:
29 Feb 2020
-
27 Feb 2021
Contact:
FRDC
Commercial fisheries and aquaculture activities with insufficient levels of social support can negatively affect industry member well-being and contribute to restricted resource access. More & appropriate engagement is needed to improve stakeholder and community trust & support, both with those affected by industry activity, and with those who affect industry activity (i.e. decision-makers and influencers).
This project addresses the need to ensure that the range of engagement activities and strategies undertaken by organisations and operators within fisheries and aquaculture are effective at:
- building relationships and trustworthiness;
- understanding concerns and needs arising from industry activity; and
- influencing preferences and decisions.
Limited evaluation has been undertaken regarding the effectiveness of engagement strategies and activities in meeting predefined goals. Similarly, limited opportunities exist to transfer knowledge between industry organisations of successful and future engagement practice; or to support improved return on investment of engagement strategies.
The NSW Fishing Industry has a need to improve relationships and trustworthiness with key stakeholders, and to achieve specific outcomes for PFA members, which include; improve social license by industry taking the lead on its own imagery, and an increase in the consumption and variety of NSW seafood.
In addition, there is limited feedback on whether communication strategies about to embark on will be effective at achieving the PFA’s desired outcomes, and there is information to help develop long term engagement strategies and direct limited resources to the most effective activities.
Therefore, there is a need to select a range of community engagement strategies and activities, and evaluate these against predefined goals. Engagement successes need to be extended to other industry organisations,
and if appropriate, decision support materials to be developed to extend knowledge adoption of the findings and materials.
1. Evaluate these engagement activities and strategies against their predefined goals, applying an engagement evaluation framework developed by Clear Horizon as part of "FRDC project 2018-201" using standardised and defensible monitoring and evaluation methods.
2. Pilot and refine the evaluation framework using the above.
3. Develop materials to support other industry organisations based on the specific case studies, in selecting, designing, implementing and evaluating types of engagement activities and strategies which have been demonstrated to be highly effective at achieving specific engagement goals. (REVIEW with Stop/Go point)
4. Contribute to extension and knowledge mobilisation of these findings and materials. (REVIEW with Stop/Go point)
Resource list
Developing environmental management standards for the Australian seafood industry
Project number:
2000-146
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$229,841.00
Principal Investigator:
Phil March
Organisation:
OceanWatch Australia Ltd
Project start/end date:
29 Jun 2000
-
27 May 2005
Contact:
FRDC
The seafood industry is acutely aware that the community has become increasingly sceptical about assurances from industry and government regarding the state of the environment generally and in particular the environmental performance of industries which interact with the natural environment.
Development of nationally and internationally recognised environmental management standards using the SeaQual Australia process will assist to:
. achieve significant cultural change within the fishing and associated industries;
. focus the industry clearly on continuous improvement of its environmental performance; and
. gain international and domestic recognition that the industry is operating within environmental standards appropriate for the marine environment.
This project is an opportunity for governments and industry to lead the way internationally with the development and implementation of fisheries environmental standards which will engender public confidence in the way fisheries and the marine environment generally are being managed and that fisheries resources are being used sustainably.
To achieve this there is an urgent need to develop an environmental management system framework which provides realistic and achievable options for environmental accreditation/certification for each of the diverse range of fisheries in Australia. Such a framework needs to be also supported by access to tools and expertise to assist each fishery to determine appropriate environmental management systems for that fishery and to help the fishery to commence the journey of continued improvement in environmental performance (See Attachment 1).
This project will build on initiatives such as Greening Australia's Fisheries, SeaNet and SeaQual Australia to ensure that research outcomes relating to environmental performance are adopted by industry within an appropriate context.
Working together, SeaQual Australia, operating as part of Seafood Services Australia, will provide resources and guidance in the development of a "green chooser" and other products (including environmental management standards development) while SeaNet will provide the all important face-to-face assistance with using such products and with ensuring that their development is soundly based on industry needs.
Building on the work being undertaken by SCFA in relation to Fisheries ESD indicators, this project will commence the development of environmental management standards which can be assessed by independent 3rd party auditors.
While this project has been identified under the industry development program of FRDC it is extremely relevant to the other two FRDC programs eg achieving resource sustainability through fisheries management improvement. Continued improvement of the industry's environmental performance will be key outcomes of the project. This project is also targeted to address State priorities identified by the State FRABs. In all cases improving environmental performance is a high priority. The priorities identified by the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture will also be addressed.
This project provides a unique opportunity to ensure that research results and outcomes are adopted and implemented to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. By working closely with the SCFA ESD reference group, the development of ESD indicators (SCFA project) and the tools required to assist industry stakeholders to meet them (this project) can occur in a systematic pragmatic way and assist in achievement of the desired outcomes.
1. To provide a framework and support to enable fisheries in Australia to determine and achieve an appropriate level of environmental accreditation/certification through implementation of an environmental management system relevant to each fishery underpinned by a commitment to continuous improvement.
2. Expand the capacity for SeaNet to provide expertise and assistance to industry groups in improving their management practices and in positioning themselves to implement appropriate environmental management systems and standards for their fisheries.
3. To develop a support tool to guide decisions on appropriate environmental management systems ie "a SeaQual green chooser".
4. To develop nationally and internationally recognised prerequisites for environmental management standards adopted by fisheries throughout Australia.
5. To identify, document and disseminate environmental best practice technologies and techniques to fisheries.
Report
ISBN:
0 9775587 5 4
Report
•
644.80 KB
Seafood EMS - Recipes for Success.pdf
The purpose of this report is to illustrate the value of EMS as a management tool for seafood businesses to achieve their environmental, economic and social goals and in achieving broader natural resources management goals associated with fishing and aquaculture as well as demonstrating to the community the seafood industry’s environmental credentials.
The report targets existing and potential industry leaders, facilitators and training providers and government officials who have a desire to be involved in the continued development of the seafood industry through EMS.
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