The Tasmanian salmon farming industry has undergone exceptional production and profitability gains in its short history and has ambitious targets for the future. A report commissioned in 2015 indicated an annual Industry gross output of $1.12 billion and the direct employment of almost 2800 full time positions. Projecting forward, the Industry is confident of turning over $2 billion by 2030, with clear implications for continued jobs growth and economic impacts within Tasmania. To achieve this, and to strengthen linkages with Government, the Tasmanian community and myriad stakeholders, ongoing proactive and reactive research is vital. This point is particularly salient given the present need to diversify the research portfolio to address potential constraints to industry growth. For example, spatial limitations on the expansion of grow-out operations in sheltered waters have resulted in new research and development approaches to investigate and trial offshore farming operations. Expanding the scope of the research and development program in such a manner is replete with complexities requiring significant input and coordination by the TSGA.

The portfolio of research funded between the FRDC and TSGA is significant, with around $4m of combined funding available each year – an amount steadily growing as Industry GVP grows. There is a need for both the FRDC and TSGA to have the capacity to actively manage this research portfolio, understand the current and future opportunities requiring research, development and extension (RD&E), and to communicate outputs to all stakeholders. Previously, these tasks were largely undertaken by the former TSGA CEO and, at times consultants were hired on an ad hoc basis. Given industry expansion however, there is a pressing need for a permanent role dedicated to addressing and coordinating the management needs of a RD&E portfolio that is growing in size, scope and complexity.

The primary activity to be supported by this grant is attendance at the Aqua Nor Forum, held 16 - 19 August 2011 Trondheim Norway.

Aqua Nor has been an important international venue for the aquaculture industry for over 30 years. Attendees are introduced to aquaculture related products, services and research and development projects of relevance to the industry. All the major aquaculture countries are represented by exhibitors, visitors or delegations.

With your support, this opportunity will provide me with exposure to alternate methodologies, differing business models and a range of problems and solutions that I may not encounter if my focus is directed solely within Tasmania.

I believe that the knowledge that I will gain from attending the Forum in Norway, from talking with other companies, industry associations, and research providers, will enable me to assist the salmon and trout growing industry in Tasmania achieve future sustainable growth in line with its industry strategy.

In the financial year 1997/98 all Tasmanian fin fish farms experienced increased levels of seal interaction resulting in tangible losses of around $1.5 million. 164 seals were trapped and relocated in 1996/97 compared with 37 the year before and 10 when this form of management was first introduced. In response to the increase in interactions, the industry spent an estimated $ 1 million on upgrading predator nets over the last financial year. Licensed shooting, trapping and relocation of seals have been used by the industry, in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Land Management, in previous years, but these methods are not considered to be either acceptable (because of risk of spreading disease, animal ethics concerns and fishery management issues), or cost effective.

The Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon industry is set to expand substantially in the short to medium term, with production projected to double within 5 years. With this expansion, new areas, both near shore and off shore will be developed for marine farming. Seal predation will be at least, if not more significant in these areas. The development of some aquaculture projects in other states, notably Western Australia, has been postponed due to perceived potential problems with seals, and the inadequacies in current stock protection systems.

The Southern Bluefin Tuna farming industry in South Australia, while relatively new already suffers large losses due to predation by sharks and seals. Losses due to predation by sharks and seals have a substantial impact on the industry, with annual direct losses estimated at $1.2 million and growing rapidly. Existing predator deterrent methods have not proven to be effective for the farming or towing conditions experienced by the industry. This project will contribute directly to the tuna industry by providing reviews of predator systems and designs of new nets to restrict predators affects on farms.