People development program: 2014 FRDC Visiting Expert Award: Dr. Robert Stephenson (Practical steps to implementation of integrated ocean management)
Australian and Canadian fisheries face the challenges of evolving domestic and international policies that call for the move to full implementation of ‘ecosystem’ and ‘integrated’ management approaches, to allow sustainable management of multiple coastal activities during a time of increasing market (and general public) pressure for sustainability. The evolving landscape of management demands increased participation of fisheries with other activities in integrated management processes and shared stewardship responsibility. A workshop in March 2014 summarised progress in implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries, with emphasis on social and economic aspects, and how these can contribute to the generation of a ‘license to manage’ for fisheries management agencies (FRDC Report F2013/436, in prep). One recommendation of the workshop was for further exploration of integrated management approaches that encompasses the broader dimensions and users of the marine ecosystem.
This proposal will build on the 2014 workshop in a study of Australian and Canadian experience in applied integrated ocean management. We propose to focus on case studies including the NSW Marine Estate Management; Canadian Bay of Fundy Marine Advisory Committee (and related initiatives); Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; Spencer Gulf and Ecosystem Development Initiative; and Great Australian Bight. We will establish a network to compile, compare, and assess methodologies, policies/frameworks and progress.
Final report
Aquafin CRC - SBT Aquaculture Subprogram: strategic planning, project management and adoption
SCRC: Seafood CRC Research Travel Grant: Attendance at the Marine and Freshwater Toxins, Third Joint Symposium and the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) Task Force Meeting andparticipation in the International training workshop on chemical based methods (LCMS/ MSMethods) for detecting diarrheic and other lipophillic toxins, Tacoma, Washington USA
Final report
By Ian Stewart
Harmful algal toxins are a recognised hazard to seafood safety. Several toxin families are subject to regulatory oversight, so the topic of reliable and reproducible detection and quantification of this structurally and functionally diverse group of compounds is of paramount importance for export and domestic seafood industries and seafood consumers. State-of-the-art analytical competencies for harmful algal biotoxins are needed in order to fully support the Australian seafood industry's ability to comply with export requirements.
AOAC International's Pacific Northwest meeting in Tacoma represented an opportunity for the Seafood CRC to participate at an important gathering of global experts in the field of algal toxin analysis and research. This is a rapidly developing field, both in terms of a growing understanding of the public health and trade implications attributable to known and novel algal biotoxins, as well as advances in analytical capability through instrumentation and skills. AOAC International, the Association of Analytical Communities, is the focal agency for analytical method development, method validation and related knowledge dissemination.
The objectives of this visit to the US were to:
1. Update knowledge on algal and cyanobacterial biotoxins
2. Communicate with experts in the field from around the world
3. Contribute to the proceedings by presenting a paper.
4. Participate in training for advanced analytical techniques for lipophilic shellfish toxin measurement.