131 results
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2010-004
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Passive acoustic techniques to monitor aggregations of sound producing fish species

The need to optimise spawning success and survival of offspring by fishes has resulted in the evolution of a vast array of reproductive strategies, such as spawning aggregations. A spawning aggregation is defined by Domeier and Colin (1997) as, “a group of con-specific fish gathered for the...
ORGANISATION:
Curtin University
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2016-201
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Indigenous fishing subprogram: Business opportunities and impediments for Aboriginal community development in supportive fishing industries in the Roper River to Robinson River area of the Northern Territory

This report provides an account of the Yanyuwa Traditional Owner-led project, Business opportunities and impediments for Aboriginal community development in supportive fishing industries in the Roper River to Robinson River Area of the Northern Territory which was grounded in a Participatory Action...
ORGANISATION:
Northern Land Council (NLC)
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2014-025
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Developing cost-effective industry based techniques for monitoring puerulus settlement in all conditions: Phase 2

Outcomes achieved to date The outputs from this second phase of the project have led to the following outcomes: 1. A refined puerulus collector design that: • Collects puerulus as effectively as traditional diver-serviced inshore collector systems • Collects puerulus...
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2013-227
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Tactical Research Fund: Addressing the urgent need to identify viable refrigerant alternatives for use in the Northern Prawn Fishery

Modern fishing fleets and the fish product supply chains are entirely dependent on effective and reliable refrigeration systems, from the point of catch to consumption. The fishing vessels of the NPF (Northern Prawn Fishery) have one of the most demanding tasks for refrigeration equipment,...
ORGANISATION:
NPF Industry Pty Ltd
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 1999-162
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Evaluating the effectiveness of marine protected areas as a fisheries management tool

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are being proclaimed around the world with the stated primary purposes of enhancing fisheries stocks and/or conserving marine biodiversity. In Australia, in response to a joint State/Commonwealth agreement to establish a National Representative System of MPAs (NRSMPA)...
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2003-021
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Effects of Trawling Subprogram: mapping bycatch & seabed benthos assemblages in the GBR region for environmental risk assessment & sustainable management of the Queensland east coast trawl fishery

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these...
ORGANISATION:
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Crawley

Sustainable Fishing Families: Developing industry human capital through health, wellbeing, safety and resilience

Project number: 2016-400
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $122,840.52
Principal Investigator: Tanya King
Organisation: Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus
Project start/end date: 30 Jun 2016 - 29 Sep 2017
Contact:
FRDC

Need

By developing an evidence-based health and safety training program for Australian fishing communities, this project meets the needs of the commercial wild-catch and aquaculture industry identified in FRDC’s RD&E Program 3, ‘Communities’ and particularly theme 10, which promotes resilient and supportive communities who are able to adapt to the social impacts of change in industry business environments.

The project will address a national need, identified by VicFRAB, to better understand the social and economic contribution of commercial fisheries, by identifying and addressing potential losses incurred through the poor health and wellbeing of the industry’s human capital.

Fishers tend to work in rural and remote communities, which means they have higher rates of mortality, disease and health risk factors than urban dwellers, further impacted by reduced access to primary health care services. Fishers are at particular risk of certain kinds of illnesses (eg. skin and diet-related), as well as injury (fatality rates are more than double those in the agricultural sector). Mental health concerns are higher than average in the fishing industry, exacerbated by uncertainties within the industry including often high debt and insecurity of tenure and licencing. While both women and men are at risk, 86.9% of fishers are male, a factor placing them at greater risk of suicide.

Fisher ‘attitudes’ also impact health, such as the culture of self-reliance, particularly among males. This may make fishers resilient, but also makes them less likely to adopt preventative health practices or to use health services, and they will usually wait longer before seeking medical assistance, particularly for issues of chronic poor mental health.

The Sustainable Fishing Families project will benefit fishing families’ health, safety and resilience by promoting a self-awareness of the value of the industry’s human capital, and building their health capacity.

Objectives

1. To improve the health and wellbeing of fishing families by promoting safer and healthier work practices
2. To develop strategies to inform fisher families of appropriate physical and mental health care programs and information, including strategies to address barriers to uptake
3. To provide rigorous research that will raise the profile of the health issues and needs of Australian fishing families, and inform government, industry and health services of specific health issues and needs of, and effective support pathways for, fishing families as distinct from farming families.
4. To develop a targeted, industry-led program that will address the health issues and needs of fishing families based on the proven Sustainable Farm FamiliesTM protocol

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-646-98116-1
Authors: Tanya J. King Kirsten Abernethy Susan Brumby Tracey Hatherell Sue Kilpatrick Katarina Munksgaard & Rachel Turner
Final Report • 2019-01-21 • 4.30 MB
2016-400-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project conducted the first national survey of the health, safety and wellbeing of the Australian professional fishing industry in 2017. The results of the survey provide a baseline for the state of the wild-catch industry members across a range of indicators, including reported physical and mental health, factors affecting health and safety, factors affecting levels of stress, health and safety behaviours, and access to health services and information.
 
The project also conducted and evaluated an intensive pilot program on health, safety and wellbeing tailored specifically for fishing families. The program was modelled on an existing and highly successful program with farming families, Sustainable Farm FamiliesTM developed and delivered by the National Centre for Farmer Health, at the Western District Health Service, Victoria. The materials and presentations were reviewed and modified to reflect the specific strengths and challenges of the fishing industry. For the first time, this award-winning program is now available for use by fishing communities across the country.

Project products

Brochure • 2019-10-01 • 3.65 MB
2016-400 Fishing Families-Key Survey Findings Final.pdf

Summary

In 2017, the National Health, Safety and Wellbeing survey was posted to 4,584 professional wild catch fishers across all jurisdictions of Australia through peak bodies, industry associations and large fishing companies. The survey was also made available online to capture those fishers without membership to an industry organisation. 872 surveys were returned for analysis. The survey focussed on self-reported health relating to work, and asked respondents about their physical and mental health status and perceived causes, health and safety behaviours, and access to health services and information. The survey was part of the project Sustainable Fishing Families (FRDC Project 2016-400).
Educational material • 2019-10-01 • 7.49 MB
2016-400 Managing Stress for Fishers Book Final.pdf

Summary

This resource is a way of enabling fishing families to understand stress, its impact, and learn skills to help balance stress when fishing in difficult times.

This is a resource for all people who work in the business of fishing — from deckhands to skippers to office staff.

Flyer • 2019-10-01 • 2.55 MB
2016-400 Sustainable Fishing Families Flyer Final.pdf

Summary

Sustainable Fishing Families is a health program specifically designed for fishing families to address the health, wellbeing and safety issues facing the fishing industry through an evidence-based health program run by rural health experts

Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2015-216
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Informing inter-jurisdictional snapper management in eastern Australia

Snapper has been fished since the early development of the colony around Sydney Harbour in the late 18th century, but it was the arrival of steam power in the 1860’s that enabled fishers to start regularly targeting the abundant schools of snapper occurring in the deep-water fishing grounds...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
SPECIES
People
PROJECT NUMBER • 2012-409
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

People development program: Primary industries health and safety collaborative partnership 2012-2015

FRDC invested in the Primary industries health and safety collaborative partnership - there is no final report, however the following three (3) products were developed: - Health and Safety in the Australian Fishing Industry - RIRDC Publication No. 11/021 - Adoption of Health and Safety...
ORGANISATION:
AgriFutures Australia

Seafood CRC: new opportunities for underutilised species

Project number: 2013-711.30
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $64,500.00
Principal Investigator: Janet Howieson
Organisation: Curtin University
Project start/end date: 14 Aug 2015 - 14 Jan 2016
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Approximately 25,000 tonnes of finfish is not harvested in Australia each year, even though operators are licensed to do so. This is because the fish have a low market value (leatherjacket), are difficult to process (Boarfish), are very fragile and require an exacting supply chain to reach the market in satisfactory condition (sardines, Australian Salmon) or are harvested from remote areas with inadequate support infrastructure. Additional tonnage is harvested but directed to low value products such as pet food, bait and aquaculture feed (sardines, mackerel, silver warehou, bonito tuna). There are also areas (e.g. Western Deep Trawl) where little is know about the fishery resource and potential
for commercialization. And there are also fish discarded after being caught due to low market value or insufficient space for storage. Each of these under-utilised species can be used to produce high quality, fresh and processed products that could help meet the increasing demand for seafood.

Objectives

1. Develop at least two new commercial opportunities for underutilised/low value species.
2. Develop and trial a framework for taking underutilised species to market

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-9925568-9-1
Authors: Dr Janet Howieson Kerri Choo Andrew Tilley Sarah Crisp
Final Report • 2019-04-01 • 1.01 MB
2013-711.30-DLD.pdf

Summary

This report summarises the research undertaken undera suite of activities that formed FRDC 2013/711.30
Using information taken from a variety of fisheries management and market sources, an underutilised species database was developed based on harvested volumes and price (see appendix 1). Initially the database was focused on Western Australia but, following increased stakeholder interest, it was later broadened to include the majority of Australian fisheries. 
A number of case studies for this particular project were selected based on information from the database and on meeting certain parameters under a value chain analysis framework that had been developed in a previous project undertaken with the prawn industry (Seafood CRC 2007-793.10). In order to be undertaken, case studies required whole of chain industry commitment to the project with a proposed path to market. The undertakings of each case study are detailed in the appendices.
Although the New Opportunities for Underutilised Species project resulted in several new products becoming available commercially and a number of others undergoing market trials, it also identified a number of challenges when working with underutilised species
The project succeeded in identifying and collating a range of opportunities for underutilised species in the Australian commercial fishing industry. It also demonstrated that it is possible to work with commercial partners to realise commercially relevant outcomes from these species. It is therefore recommended that the best approach for the Australian Seafood industry to generate opportunities from underutilised species is to use the database and value chain and product development methodology as much as possible but with modifications, if required. However it is also important to note the challenges of such research, including ensuring whole of value chain commitment, flexibility around commercial volatility and patience and awareness of these issues should always be considered in any further project development. Equally, it is key to ensure technological new product innovations are end-user and market-driven and specifically targeted to each particular underutilised species case study.

Project products

Research data • 2019-04-01 • 168.79 KB
2013-711.30-A1-DLD.pdf

Summary

At the commencement of the project an underutilised species Excel database was developed. The database was intended to describe the species, fishery, catch method, total allowable catch, actual catch and pricing as appropriate to allow the informed selection of possible case studies to be included in the project. The criteria for inclusion in the database for underutilised species was related to the harvest levels when compared to the commercially relevant tonnage able to be caught and retained, and current market value (<6/kg for whole fish).
The database was originally developed to focus solely on Western Australia fisheries but it was later broadened to all Australia as it was anticipated it would be a useful tool for all states, even after the current project was finished.
 
This database is alsoutilised as part of: 2017-185: A review of projects concerned with improved exploitation of underutilised species 
Report • 2019-04-01 • 5.05 MB
2013-711.30-A2-DLD.pdf

Summary

In November 2013 Dr Janet Howieson presented on the previous Australian Salmon research results (see Seafood CRC 2008-794.10) at the South Coast Professional Fishermans Association (SCPFA) Annual Management Meeting. As a result of that presentation an Australian Salmon industry development group (IDG) (consisting of fishers, processors and marketers) was formed to oversee the research effort. In December 2013 a workshop (facilitated by Ewan Colquohoun) was held with the IDG and other stakeholders to develop objectives/program/parameters for the Australian Salmon case study. For further desktop research by Colquohoun on Australian Salmon options see Appendix 3.
 
In this case study, Australian Salmon value add opportunities were explored for a range of products, as canned, smoked, fish in oil and premium pet food products, which were developed and market tested. The development and market-testing methodologies are presented in this report. However, although opportunities and small-scale markets were identified, the growth of the sector is hindered by the inability of the fishers at present to produce large volumes of high quality product. New management and harvest strategies are in development in order to address this issue.
Report • 2017-12-01 • 412.54 KB
2013-711.30-A4-DLD.pdf

Summary

Note: This report is available on request from the PI or FRDC - A summary of the project is available in the 2013-711.30 final report, as well as below
 
The Pilbara Trawl case study, conducted in conjunction with MG Kailis, Westmore Seafoods, Central Seafoods, Catalanos Seafoods, Endeavour Foods, followed on from an approach by MG Kailis and Westmore Seafoods about how to add value to some of the high volume, low value species harvested in the Pilbara finfish trawl. It is currently often not economically viable to retain this catch.
 
Catch data was collected for 2011-2014 and all harvested species analysed as per the value chain methodology. Based on catch volume and current market prices as well as consultation with processors and end-users, a list of possible target species was developed. These species were Rosy Threadfin Bream, Bluespotted Emperor, Trevally (smaller size), Robinson’s Seabream, Frypan Bream and Tropical Snappers (Lutjanus spp). A whole of chain Group Explorer Pilbara finfish stakeholder meeting was then facilitated to determine the focus of the case study. It was agreed the main focus would be on cost effective production and retail trial of filleted and headed and gutted product. As such the ongoing research plan was to focus on understanding the relative recoveries, costs and quality of product produced by local production (hand filleting), off shore production or by filleting machine. Initial work was completed with local processors and import and export permits for the target species were applied for and granted. The agreed next stage was to investigate different product forms produced under the different processing scenarios. However the off-shore filleting trials had to be cancelled due to some quality assurance issues with the off-shore facility therefore instead, local operators embarked on a filleting and marketing trials with bluespotted emperor in particular. Despite planned automatic processing options being cancelled due to commercial issues, resulted in a number of former underutilised species such as Bluespotted Emperor, Frypan Bream and Tropical Snappers (Lutjanus spp) achieving improved market status
Report • 2017-12-01 • 413.16 KB
2013-711.30-A5-DLD.pdf

Summary

Note: This report is available on request from the PI or FRDC - A summary of the project is available in the 2013-711.30 final report, as well as below
 
The Saddletail Snapper case study, conducted in conjunction with Australia Bay Seafoods, Catalanos Seafoodexplored Saddletail Snapper and the use of a technological innovation involving the injection with a plant based processing enzyme (bromelain) into the fish to improved product texture consistency.
 
Saddletail Snapper fillets sometimes exhibit an inconsistent ‘tough’ texture upon cooking; this has had a detrimental impact on the marketability of the species resulting in significant unharvested quota. Research has identified a positive correlation between the increasing age of the fish and increasing ‘toughness’ of the cooked fillet. However, despite this relationship, there is still substantial variability in the ‘toughness’ of fish of similar age. This limits the commercial viability of using fish age as a predictor of cooked texture as it involves the costly and time-consuming exercise of aging the growth rings of the ear bones (sagittae otoliths). This study explored an injection process to provides a consistent Saddletail Snapper product with improved textural properties. Large scale commercialisation has been achieved and Australia Bay Seafoods is currently developing marketing material and researching suitable markets for the products.
Report • 2018-12-01 • 1.34 MB
2013-711.30-A6-DLD.pdf

Summary

This case study, conductd in conjunction with West Coast deep sea licence holders, Southern Trading Pty Ltd, looked at new options for Champagne Crab, which is characterised by low market acceptance due to low meat yields and the difficulty in extraction, and difficulty in handling due to the spines. The study involved high pressure pasteurisation (HPP) trials.
 
In terms of overseas markets, the main market for the crabs is China via live export. The crabs are sold in small quantities on the local market, either live or cooked and as a whole animal however they are undervalued because the meat is difficult to extract after cooking and the spines make the product difficult to handle. In addition, Champagne Crab are not as highly prized on the export markets as other deep sea crab species because of their smaller size, less favourable colour and handling issues. In terms of the domestic market, champagne crabs are not a species well known for eating and as such, are in little demand. Again this is mainly because it is too time-consuming to extract the meat after cooking.
 
This study confirmed that Champagne Crab has a very sweet flavour and texture and if cooked whole and then frozen, a very acceptable thawed product can be produced. However, there were a couple of issues identified such as although the hairs did not appear to cause tainting, there may be a risk for consumption if the meat is not extracted for use as a food ingredient prior to serving and if the crabs are frozen raw then later thawed and cooked this results in the flesh being very mushy. In addition, the barriers to the product other than as a live product remain in that there are very low meat recovery yields and the difficulty in extraction due to the spines and the hardness of the shell. The results overall were promising enough for the Champagne Crab to be included in the HPP trials as described in Appendix 6. In these trials, efficient raw meat extraction, with pleasing flavour characteristics was achieved, and ongoing work with the champagne crabs has been proposed by the industry partners
Report • 2017-12-01 • 2.66 MB
2013-711.30-A7-DLD.pdf

Summary

HPP technology was also tested on 16 seafood products (including Akoya Oysters, Mussels, Abalone, Prawns, Deep Sea Bugs, Marron, raw finfish fillets, cooked finfish, Octopus, Squid, cooked Crab meat and cooked whole crab). New opportunities associated with meat extraction, shucking and extended shelf-life are currently still under investigation. One new product – HPP cooked crab meat with extended shelf-life - was taken to market and was a Finalist in the 2017 WA Delicious awards.
Report • 2015-08-01
2013-711.30-A3-DLD.odf

Summary

Consultation wasundertaken face-to-face and confidentially with all of the Australian Salmon licence holders in Western Australia. This consultation process included all beach seine fishers in both the South and South West fisheries. This independently managed desk research and consultation process undertaken in April 2015 identified a number of findings, which are reported in this appendix.
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