Project Search

Define Strategic Planning Practices and Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Investigate SME Contribution to the Australian Economy and Value of Wild Harvest Fisheries
Investigate Strategic Planning Practices

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-925982-24-4

Author: Eric Perez

Final Report • 2013-04-19 • 1.53 MB

2011-712-DLD.pdf

Summary

The small business sector is a foundational element of national economic performance and the provision of employment to millions of workers globally. There is considerable research literature regarding strategy and strategic planning in the context of large, small and micro businesses. However, there is a paucity of research relating to Australian commercial fishing micro-businesses. This study is focussed on exploring the use of strategy and strategic planning at the micro-business level within the Australian commercial fishing industry.

Final Report • 2013-04-19 • 1.53 MB

2011-712-DLD.pdf

Summary

PROJECT NUMBER • 2009-317

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Tactical Research Fund: research audit of social sciences fisheries research

ORGANISATION:

Flinders Partners Pty Ltd

TAGS

Training

Stakeholder

Resource Access And Allocation

Recreational Fishing

Leadership

PROJECT NUMBER • 2008-328.23

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

People Development Program: Visiting Expert – Paul Lumley

ORGANISATION:

Australian Society For Fish Biology Inc

TAGS

Development of a rapid-assessment technique to determine biological interactions between fish and their environment, and their role in ecosystem functioning

Project number: 1996-275

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $85,168.00

Principal Investigator: Nicholas Bax

Organisation: CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart

Project start/end date: 8 Aug 1996 - 30 Nov 1999

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Objectives

1. Measure the functional morphology of 50 prevalent species (including quota species) in the SEF shelf trawl fishery, including internal and external features.

2. Analyse these morphological features to determine the structure of species assemblages, habitat use, and potential biological interactions.

3. Compare the information on community structure, habitat use and biological interactions derived in this study against independent information on habitat use, water column distribution and diet, to determine which morphological features provide useful information on the fishes ecological role.

4. Ascertain the potential of functional morphology to provide rapidly and efficiently the information on species interactions, habitat use, and susceptibility to fishing gears, that is essential to fishery management using ESD principles.

Final report

ISBN: 0-643-06211-4

Author: Nic Bax

Final Report • 1999-11-24 • 24.65 MB

1996-275-DLD.pdf

PROJECT NUMBER • 2008-780

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

SCRC: PhD : Determination and manipulation of reproductive status of the captive-reared Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) (SBT)

ORGANISATION:

Flinders University

TAGS

Tactical Research Fund: Assessing catch handling and discards using onboard electronic monitoring in the Northern Prawn Fishery

Project number: 2009-076

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $35,000.00

Principal Investigator: Matt Piasente

Organisation: Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA)

Project start/end date: 7 Apr 2010 - 28 Feb 2011

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Need

The NPF MAC considered the NPF Individual Transferable Quota Cost Benefit Analysis report in July 2009. The report details higher onboard observer coverage requirements to provide adequate base level information to estimate discard rates during the transitional phase (2-3 years) of quota management. The MAC recommended to implement a 15% level of observer coverage for the first two years and requested AFMA to investigate the potential use of cameras to offset the increase in observer coverage and subsequent costs.

To accommodate this trial, AFMA is in a position to capitalise on the recourses available from the current onboard e-Monitoring pilot project (FRDC 09/048). Project staff and equipment can assist the development and undertaking of the proposed pilot in the NPF. For example, an AFMA owned e-Monitoring system recently upgraded to the latest operating software is available for use in this proposed trial. Data analysis software has been leased from Archipelago Marine Research for use by AFMA during the current e-Monitoring project. This software can also be utilised for data analysis requirements during the NPF trial.

As part of the ETBF e-Monitoring project, comprehensive evaluations and assessments are being undertaken to assess the costs and benefits of integrating an ongoing e-Monitoring program within AFMA. These assessments will provide the necessary data inputs and comparisons to aid and support cost-benefit analyses and service delivery evaluations for integrating an ongoing e-Monitoring program in the NPF.

Drivers for e-Monitoring include the desire to explore alternatives to current observer monitoring and synergies with the co-management initiative. The current co-management trial between AFMA and the NPF Industry Company will provide necessary support during the course of this trial. Additionally the adoption of electronic logbooks in the NPF will support the timely collection of logbook data to audit against e-Monitoring data during the trial.

Objectives

1. To deploy an electronic monitoring system on one commercial fishing vessel in the NPF and maintain its continuous operation during the 2010 banana and tiger prawn seasons.

2. To evaluate the efficacy of electronic monitoring for assessing discards and a number of fishery monitoring issues.

3. To develop and evaluate an onboard discard procedure to estimate discard weight.

4. To develop an audit-based approach to electronic monitoring data analysis for evaluating fisher logbook data quality.

5. To undertake a cost benefit analysis of monitoring options and programs required to meet the fisheries data needs.

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-646-57119-5

Author: Matthew Piasente

Final Report • 2012-06-01 • 6.51 MB

2009-076-DLD.pdf

A novel method for obtaining age compositions from ancillary biological data and it’s potential for cost reductions in stock assessments

Project number: 2005-023

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $99,882.65

Principal Investigator: Simon Robertson

Organisation: Agriculture Victoria

Project start/end date: 30 Aug 2005 - 30 Jun 2009

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Stock Assessment

Recreational Fishing

Fisheries Management

Electronic Monitoring

SPECIES

Need

Age composition data provides the key information necessary to effectively manage fisheries. The proposal provides a mechanism where age composition data can be gained using length frequency data and age composition data from different years and sampling events, which has previously been impossible. The benefits will be a reduced need for production ageing, more timely age composition data and the ability to construct age composition data from historical length frequency data where no samples were collected for ageing.

Currently the Age-Length Key (ALK) is the most widely used numerical method for assessing the age composition in a large sample of length-frequency data. However, the application of ageing data in this approach is restricted to the original sample of length distribution (ageing data from the same year the length-frequency sample is taken). Due to this severe limitation, the ageing information must be regenerated for each new data sample. Using the Fredholm First Kind equations, previous years ageing data can be used to generate the underlying age composition from the current length-frequency data. Furthermore, the ageing data may be added to include many years, improving the robustness of the statistic which can then be used to decompose the underlying age distribution from the given length frequency.

As noted by a number of referees, the major problem with the current methods is variable recruitment. We have demonstrated that the technique is tolerant to the most extreme changes in age frequency (see accompanying text). These extreme changes in age frequency are greater than any changes that could occur naturally through recruitment. The issue of variable growth may affect the efficacy of the approach, but to our knowledge, has only been observed in two species. These are black bream and blue grenadier. It is proposed that the technique be demonstrated on blue grenadier in the first year.

The cost of collecting ageing data is high, with approximately $150,000 spent each year on ageing samples from commercially important species within the South East Fishery. Due to the cost, the number of species aged is not optimal and species are prioritised on a scientific and social-political basis. The cost-benefit of applying this approach is intuitively a large reduction in cost of ageing to industry and more timely information on the age structure of the population. A formal cost benefit analyses will need to be conducted on a species by species basis. This is a function of different cost structures for ageing different species, different numbers of samples that need to aged for each species. These different numbers of estimates that need to be made for each species is primarily due to longevity and stock structuring.

The age-structured data obtained from this project will benefit the South East Trawl Fishery, the Great Australian Bight Trawl Fishery and the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Fishery which are supported by The Integrated Scientific Monitoring Program (ISMP) and various other stock assessment programs that rely on age-structured data.

Further, age composition data will be able to be reconstructed historically from species where samples were not aged but length-frequency data were collected. This will enable age-structured population analysis where the lack of ageing data prevented these stock assessment techniques from being previously used. The net effect of this approach is to greatly improve the knowledge base from which species are managed. One of key advantages of this approach is, if successful, will at the very least compliment current methods and provide temporal and spatial coverage of age composition information which is currently cost prohibitive and only collected for a few, high value species.

The implication of a technique that can provide age-composition data free from the restriction of those associated with the ALK is more cost-effective resource management.

The proposal has been developed in two parts, the first component is a 'Proof of Concept Study' where the use of the Fredholm First Kind Equations to provide age compositions from length frequency data will be further examined. If this is not assessed as successful in a workshop environment, the project will be terminated at the end of the first year. The second and third year will examine a broad range of species.

Objectives

1. During first 12 months provide a Proof of Concept Study on two species. One of the species with a short longevity and stable age composition over time and the second, with variable recruitment and higher longevity. The proposed species for this objective will be school whiting and blue grenadier.

2. Using Central Ageing Facility data, determine which commercially important fish stocks and associated data provide sufficient information for estimation of the age composition from length frequencies

3. Apply limited length-at-age data with extensive length-frequency data to improve time series of age compositions for fish stock assessment.

4. Determine the appropriate sample size for collection of age data.

5. Examine robustness of the numerical methods to length-specific selectivity.

6. Compare the new techniques with existing numerical methods.

7. Develop user friendly software and data environment for numerical reconstruction of cohorts and age groups.

8. Disseminate method to a broad audience of end-users

9. Provide cost-benefit analysis for each species undertaken comparing the financial benefit of using the new technique to the cost associated using traditional techniques. The objective will be delivered as species are examined.

Final report

ISBN: 978‐1‐74264‐135‐5

Author: Simon Robertson

Final Report • 2011-02-01 • 1.05 MB

2005-023-DLD.pdf

Mapping and distribution of Sabella spallanzanii in Port Phillip Bay

Project number: 1994-164

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $66,250.00

Principal Investigator: Greg Parry

Organisation: Agriculture Victoria

Project start/end date: 28 Jun 1995 - 30 Jul 1996

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Objectives

1. Describe habitat requirements of Sabella in the Geelong Arm and map the distribution of the worm Sabella spallanzanii in Port Phillip Bay during 1995

2. Determine whether there have been changes to fish communities in regions of Port Phillip Bay affected by Sabella

3. Identify the significance of S spallanzanii in the diets of fish species in Port Phillip Bay.

4. Describe the distribution, breeding cycles and larval duration of all exotic species found in Port Phillip Bay in their natural habitats, from published sources.

Final report

Author: Greg Parry

Final Report • 1996-07-05 • 3.30 MB

1994-164-DLD.pdf

Summary

This final report for the FRDC funded project "Mapping and distribution of Sabella spallanzanii in Port Phillip Bay" is considered in two sections: The first section contains original data.' collected during this project to satisfy Objectives 1, 2 and 3 and is organised to be suitable for publication in Marine and Freshwater Research. The second section contains the literature review required to satisfy Objective 4 and will be produced as a VFRI Technical report. Details of the methods, results and interpretation of results are presented in each of these sections and are included in this report as Appendices 1 and 2.

Project products

Report • 1996-07-05 • 1.05 MB

1994-164-PDT-1.pdf

Summary

The sabellid polychaete Sabella spallanzanii, a native to the Mediterannean, established in Port Phillip Bay in the late 1980s. Initially it was found only in Corio Bay, but during the past five years it has spread so that it now occurs throughout the western half of Port Phillip Bay. Densities in many parts of the bay remain low but densities are usually higher (up to 13/m²) in deeper water and the worm's distribution extends into shallower depths in calmer regions. Larvae probably require a 'hard' surface (shell fragment, rock, seaweed, mollusc or sea squirt) for initial attachment, but subsequently they may use their own tube as an anchor. The only measurable effect of the spread of S. spallanzanii on fish communities was an increase in the abundance of little rock whiting, which uses the habitat created by the forest of S. spallanzanii tubes. No fish has been found to prey on S. spallanzanii, possibly because their feeding crowns contain particularly high levels of vanadium.

The channelling of particulate food away from native filter-feeders may have considerable long term effects on fish communities. As the density and coverage of S. spallanzanii increases more energy may be channelled into trophic pathways that appear to lead only to bacterial breakdown upon the death of the worms. S. spallanzanii may also significantly affect the growth and survival of other epifauna with which they compete for food and suitable settlement surfaces.

Report • 1996-07-05 • 1.86 MB

1994-164-PDT-2.pdf

Summary

Twenty two exotic species of marine invertebrates have been recorded from Victorian waters. Eighteen of these are reported from Port Phillip Bay and four are known only from other localities in Victoria. Some of the exotic species recorded from Port Phillip Bay are well established and are present in large numbers, some have been recorded only as isolated individuals and the occurrence of others has been reported but not confirmed.

In this report, literature on the exotic species recorded from Victoria is reviewed, with particular attention being given to those species recorded from Port Phillip Bay. Potential impacts of these introduced species on the local marine fauna are discussed.

Tactical Research Fund: enhanced Murray cod recreational fisheries outcomes across the Murray-Darling Basin through improved collaboration and alignment of management and research activities

Project number: 2009-060

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $13,000.00

Principal Investigator: Anthony Forster

Organisation: Agriculture Victoria

Project start/end date: 30 Jun 2010 - 28 Feb 2011

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Threatened Endangered Protected Species

Stock Assessment

Stakeholder

Resource Access And Allocation

Recreational Fishing

Need

Murray cod is an iconic freshwater angling species yet the species is listed as threatened (IUCN: upgraded to Critically Endangered in October 2008). It's distribution range covers the Murray-Darling Basin and, hence there is an opportunity for fisheries agencies to collaborate to develop and adopt better fisheries management practices to enhance community benefits from the fishery. Such an approach would be consistent with the Primary Industries Ministerial Council Policy commitment to collaborate nationally and use research, development and extension services more effectively and efficiently.

To achieve the above there is an need to:

1. Improve research deliver i.e. improve information flow between fisheries management and environment management agencies to avoid research duplication, break down jurisdictional silo’s (share information), improve cost effectiveness, timeliness and quality of research (peer review),

2. Align fisheries management and policy i.e. there are significant difference in fisheries management approaches between jurisdictions, e.g. stocking policy, population modelling, bag and size limits etc.,

3. Better align research directions to meet fisheries management needs,

4. Better coordinate between fisheries management agencies in dealing with illegal take for sale trade (note: declaration of Murray cod as a priority species in Victoria),

5. Address a growing division of opinion about the status of Murray cod populations between anglers, fisheries managers and environmental agencies.

A cross-jurisdictional workshop in December 2009 is proposed to bring key resource management agencies together to develop a shared vision for the Murray cod recreational fishery. The forum will also faciliate better engagement with the recreational angling represenative groups and ensure research is aligned to fisheries management objectives.

Improved collaboration will ensure research is driven by resource management objectives, reduce the risk of research duplication, drive policy and research alignment and improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of applied research and development.

Objectives

1. Develop a shared understanding of the issues, impediments, information gaps and opportunities to build a stronger recreational Murray cod fishery.

2. Develop an action plan to improve Murray cod recreational fisheries outcomes across the Murray-Darling Basin through partnerships between fisheries, environmental management agencies and recreational fishers.

3. Build a shared commitment by key stakeholders to develop and implement a recreational fishery management and research action plan.