1,686 results

Improving post-harvest survival of live held Southern Rock Lobster

Project number: 2016-235
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $663,818.43
Principal Investigator: Quinn P. Fitzgibbon
Organisation: University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Project start/end date: 31 Oct 2016 - 31 Oct 2018
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Workshop
Trade
Post Harvest
Physiology
Mortality
SPECIES
Southern Rock Lobster

Need

The export of southern rock lobsters from southern Australia to markets in Asia is one of Australia’s most valuable fisheries and currently accounts for approximately 3500-4000 tonnes with a gross revenue of approximately AUD200 million. The export industry is an important component of the market supply chain as it provides the link between fisheries and the international markets. The ability to maintain or hold lobsters for extended periods is imperative for the industry to capitalize on fluctuating market demand and gain maximum return for the fishery product. During the 2016 season, levels of pre-export mortality has been severe with losses in the hundreds of $1000’s reported by several exporting companies. Industry have been forced to change operating practices and on-sell lobsters soon after landing placing further strain on revenue. High levels of post-export mortality have also been described by purchasers which is damaging to the Australian Southern Rock Lobster brand. This damage has been reported to have already resulted in a significant drop in the international price for Australian lobsters which combined with losses due to mortality is placing significant strain on the viability of the Australian lobster export industry. It is feared that continual poor performance of exported live lobsters will trigger key Asian markets to place a moratorium on the Australian product that could jeopardize the entire fishing industry. Considering the severity and widespread nature of this event and in depth and concerted effort is warranted to determine the cause of the mortality and to develop strategies to minimize its impact in future fishery seasons.

Objectives

1. Undertake an epidemiological investigation to describe the magnitude of the event and to identify potential environmental and management risk factor(s) associated with increased mortality
2. Examine the underlying physiological processes or mechanisms resulting in lobster mortality and potential links with marine biotoxins
3. Full review of the pathology from both the Tasmanian and South Australian mortality events during the 2016 season as well as further characterisation of any significant pathologies (e.g. antennule gland changes) observed in these investigations as well as further pathological investigations for the 2017 season.

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-925646-81-8
Authors: Quinn P. Fitzgibbon Charles Caraguel Stephen B. Pyecroft Caleb Gardner Ryan Day Kandarp Patel Johanna J. Mahadevan
Final Report • 2020-02-26 • 25.84 MB
2016-235-DLD.pdf

Summary

This report details the results of a multifaceted research program led by the Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania in collaboration with the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide. The work was undertaken to better evaluate post-harvest mortality of Southern Rock lobster (SRL) and investigate tools and processes to improve lobster holding within the SRL processing and exporting industry sector. The research was conducted to investigate a recent apparent increase in post-harvest mortality of SRL across the entire SRL industry sector in Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria. The research program was comprised of dedicated investigations of the physiology and pathology of moribund lobsters and the epidemiology (or patterns and associated factors) of lobster mortality across the industry sector and within case facilities. Complimentary research was conducted to inform and educate industry on “best practices” for post-harvest maintenance of live SRL and to develop practical extension tools to determine quality and vitality of captive SRL stock.
Collectively, the physiological and pathological investigations did not support the systematic association of a detectable crustacean pathogen with lower post-harvest SRL survival. However, a field survey suggested a limited holding capability in some exporting facilities leading to sub-standard stock survival and impacting commercial processes. Anecdotal reports from industry suggest an increased sensitivity of lobsters in recent seasons and the project hypothesis is that the animals are experiencing reduced holding capacity and increased mortality rates post capture as a result higher physiological stress, reduced immune function and then overwhelming infections with secondary bacteria or loss of physiological maintenance leading to death. However, further investigations, particularly on the role of potential unknown viral pathogens, is required to completely rule-out an infectious aetiology. 
The cause for the apparent sensitivity remains unclear, which could be related with environmental stress, such as increasing water temperatures. The south east coast of Australia has been identified as an ocean warming hotspot. The impact of this environmental change on SRL physiology currently remains unclear and should form the basis of future research. The project is particularly concerned that environmental change may be impacting lobster moult cycles resulting in weak pre- and post-moult lobsters being landed during the fishing season. Currently there are no practical and accurate methods available for industry to identify pre- and post-moult lobsters. The project strongly recommends that improved tools for the assessment of lobster moult cycle and stress condition are developed and made available to industry stakeholders across the entire post-harvest chain of custody. 
Investigation revealed considerable differences in industry live lobster management practices and apparent levels of mortality across the sector. These findings suggest a role of post-harvest practices for improving lobster performance in holding. Physiological and epidemiological investigation particularly highlight the potential for transport related emersion, stocking practices and sub-optimal physicochemical water quality (particularly low pH) to impact SRL mortality in holding. Mortality appears most severe during the warmer months during summer likely due to the heightened metabolic demands of lobsters associated with higher temperatures. The project strongly recommends that the Australian SRL industry focusses dedicated effort towards optimising post-harvest practices from wild capture to international export. 
The project has taken significant steps towards facilitating improved industry practice through:
  • Initial validation of improved lobster quality assessment tools, handheld lactate meter
  • Assessment of water quality measurement tools
  • Industry education on best practices through industry workshops
  • The development of an SRL processors industry best practice guide 
  • Development and validation of new immune function assays for SRL
  • Development of SRL haemolymph biochemical profiling capacity in Australia
  • Development of an SRL health assessment procedure manual 
In conclusion, the SRL industry is in a period of change and the industry must adapt to this change. The industry is changing in terms of its business model, political atmosphere and physical environment, all of which heighten the requirement for optimal post-harvest processes. The increased value of lobsters and reliance on live export has meant that even low levels of stock losses can have significant financial or SRL brand consequences. The political atmosphere is changing as consumer perceptions on the health and welfare of lobsters is increasingly becoming an important marketing issue. Finally, SRL exists in a global warming hot spot which appears to be placing new challenges for appropriate post-harvest processes. It is clear that the ultimate outcome for a lobster is dependent on the sum of its experiences through the entire post-harvest chain of custody. This project has focused on practices by the processing and holding industry sector. For optimum performance of SRL from capture to market, requires further research on other aspects of post-harvest processes, including the fishing industry and post export maintenance sectors. 
Anecdotal evidence suggests the industry has accepted the need for improve industry practices and several companies have made efforts to improve operations. Feedback from industry suggests that levels of mortalities across the sector have reduced in recent seasons which may be because of these improved maintenance practices. Attached to this final report is an impact statement from one of Australia’s largest SRL processors and export companies which details how the company pro-actively acted on project findings/recommendations and implemented numerous changes to company practices. In the most recent 2018-19 season, this company has experienced a 50% reduction in mortality that may be attributed to these improved practices. A 50% reduction to mortality loss across the industry sector represents a FRDC return for investment of 3-fold in just a single year and 30-fold over a decade. 
Recommendations 
The project findings suggest a need for improved industry practices, particularly in the key areas of:
  • Post capture transport, particularly on land dry transport procedures
  • Post transport recovery and purging procedures
  • Holding facility aquaculture systems 
  • Water quality monitoring and maintenance
  • Live lobster handling procedures
  • Data collection and stock traceability
  • Stock quality assessments
Details regarding these recommendations are provided in this report and to industry within the “Best Practice” guide. 
The project gathered feedback from industry members about industry concerns and future research priorities. The project identified 19 knowledge gaps or potential future research priorities regarding best post-harvest practice for live SRL. Written feedback on priority ranking of these research priorities were received from industry participants. Based on this feedback the top ranked future research priority for the post-harvest maintenance of live SRL was:
  • The development of improved tools and validation of condition/vitality assessments and relationship to survivability during holding, including Brix, lactate meter, reflex responses
Further to the ranked priorities, another priority which was not ranked at the industry workshop but was brought up by industry participants as a high priority was:
  • The assessment and refinement of on-vessel handling and maintenance processes to improve post capture lobster condition/vitality/survivability 
The project supports these two research priorities as they extend best practice across the entire chain of post-harvest custody from capture to export and will result in tools that will inform fisherman and processors on the quality of the stock and suitability of maintenance practices. We consider the next most important research priority would be the development of improved transport technologies and procedure to limit emersion stress on lobsters. 
 
Final Report • 2020-02-26 • 25.84 MB
2016-235-DLD.pdf

Summary

This report details the results of a multifaceted research program led by the Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania in collaboration with the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide. The work was undertaken to better evaluate post-harvest mortality of Southern Rock lobster (SRL) and investigate tools and processes to improve lobster holding within the SRL processing and exporting industry sector. The research was conducted to investigate a recent apparent increase in post-harvest mortality of SRL across the entire SRL industry sector in Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria. The research program was comprised of dedicated investigations of the physiology and pathology of moribund lobsters and the epidemiology (or patterns and associated factors) of lobster mortality across the industry sector and within case facilities. Complimentary research was conducted to inform and educate industry on “best practices” for post-harvest maintenance of live SRL and to develop practical extension tools to determine quality and vitality of captive SRL stock.
Collectively, the physiological and pathological investigations did not support the systematic association of a detectable crustacean pathogen with lower post-harvest SRL survival. However, a field survey suggested a limited holding capability in some exporting facilities leading to sub-standard stock survival and impacting commercial processes. Anecdotal reports from industry suggest an increased sensitivity of lobsters in recent seasons and the project hypothesis is that the animals are experiencing reduced holding capacity and increased mortality rates post capture as a result higher physiological stress, reduced immune function and then overwhelming infections with secondary bacteria or loss of physiological maintenance leading to death. However, further investigations, particularly on the role of potential unknown viral pathogens, is required to completely rule-out an infectious aetiology. 
The cause for the apparent sensitivity remains unclear, which could be related with environmental stress, such as increasing water temperatures. The south east coast of Australia has been identified as an ocean warming hotspot. The impact of this environmental change on SRL physiology currently remains unclear and should form the basis of future research. The project is particularly concerned that environmental change may be impacting lobster moult cycles resulting in weak pre- and post-moult lobsters being landed during the fishing season. Currently there are no practical and accurate methods available for industry to identify pre- and post-moult lobsters. The project strongly recommends that improved tools for the assessment of lobster moult cycle and stress condition are developed and made available to industry stakeholders across the entire post-harvest chain of custody. 
Investigation revealed considerable differences in industry live lobster management practices and apparent levels of mortality across the sector. These findings suggest a role of post-harvest practices for improving lobster performance in holding. Physiological and epidemiological investigation particularly highlight the potential for transport related emersion, stocking practices and sub-optimal physicochemical water quality (particularly low pH) to impact SRL mortality in holding. Mortality appears most severe during the warmer months during summer likely due to the heightened metabolic demands of lobsters associated with higher temperatures. The project strongly recommends that the Australian SRL industry focusses dedicated effort towards optimising post-harvest practices from wild capture to international export. 
The project has taken significant steps towards facilitating improved industry practice through:
  • Initial validation of improved lobster quality assessment tools, handheld lactate meter
  • Assessment of water quality measurement tools
  • Industry education on best practices through industry workshops
  • The development of an SRL processors industry best practice guide 
  • Development and validation of new immune function assays for SRL
  • Development of SRL haemolymph biochemical profiling capacity in Australia
  • Development of an SRL health assessment procedure manual 
In conclusion, the SRL industry is in a period of change and the industry must adapt to this change. The industry is changing in terms of its business model, political atmosphere and physical environment, all of which heighten the requirement for optimal post-harvest processes. The increased value of lobsters and reliance on live export has meant that even low levels of stock losses can have significant financial or SRL brand consequences. The political atmosphere is changing as consumer perceptions on the health and welfare of lobsters is increasingly becoming an important marketing issue. Finally, SRL exists in a global warming hot spot which appears to be placing new challenges for appropriate post-harvest processes. It is clear that the ultimate outcome for a lobster is dependent on the sum of its experiences through the entire post-harvest chain of custody. This project has focused on practices by the processing and holding industry sector. For optimum performance of SRL from capture to market, requires further research on other aspects of post-harvest processes, including the fishing industry and post export maintenance sectors. 
Anecdotal evidence suggests the industry has accepted the need for improve industry practices and several companies have made efforts to improve operations. Feedback from industry suggests that levels of mortalities across the sector have reduced in recent seasons which may be because of these improved maintenance practices. Attached to this final report is an impact statement from one of Australia’s largest SRL processors and export companies which details how the company pro-actively acted on project findings/recommendations and implemented numerous changes to company practices. In the most recent 2018-19 season, this company has experienced a 50% reduction in mortality that may be attributed to these improved practices. A 50% reduction to mortality loss across the industry sector represents a FRDC return for investment of 3-fold in just a single year and 30-fold over a decade. 
Recommendations 
The project findings suggest a need for improved industry practices, particularly in the key areas of:
  • Post capture transport, particularly on land dry transport procedures
  • Post transport recovery and purging procedures
  • Holding facility aquaculture systems 
  • Water quality monitoring and maintenance
  • Live lobster handling procedures
  • Data collection and stock traceability
  • Stock quality assessments
Details regarding these recommendations are provided in this report and to industry within the “Best Practice” guide. 
The project gathered feedback from industry members about industry concerns and future research priorities. The project identified 19 knowledge gaps or potential future research priorities regarding best post-harvest practice for live SRL. Written feedback on priority ranking of these research priorities were received from industry participants. Based on this feedback the top ranked future research priority for the post-harvest maintenance of live SRL was:
  • The development of improved tools and validation of condition/vitality assessments and relationship to survivability during holding, including Brix, lactate meter, reflex responses
Further to the ranked priorities, another priority which was not ranked at the industry workshop but was brought up by industry participants as a high priority was:
  • The assessment and refinement of on-vessel handling and maintenance processes to improve post capture lobster condition/vitality/survivability 
The project supports these two research priorities as they extend best practice across the entire chain of post-harvest custody from capture to export and will result in tools that will inform fisherman and processors on the quality of the stock and suitability of maintenance practices. We consider the next most important research priority would be the development of improved transport technologies and procedure to limit emersion stress on lobsters. 
 
Final Report • 2020-02-26 • 25.84 MB
2016-235-DLD.pdf

Summary

This report details the results of a multifaceted research program led by the Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania in collaboration with the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide. The work was undertaken to better evaluate post-harvest mortality of Southern Rock lobster (SRL) and investigate tools and processes to improve lobster holding within the SRL processing and exporting industry sector. The research was conducted to investigate a recent apparent increase in post-harvest mortality of SRL across the entire SRL industry sector in Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria. The research program was comprised of dedicated investigations of the physiology and pathology of moribund lobsters and the epidemiology (or patterns and associated factors) of lobster mortality across the industry sector and within case facilities. Complimentary research was conducted to inform and educate industry on “best practices” for post-harvest maintenance of live SRL and to develop practical extension tools to determine quality and vitality of captive SRL stock.
Collectively, the physiological and pathological investigations did not support the systematic association of a detectable crustacean pathogen with lower post-harvest SRL survival. However, a field survey suggested a limited holding capability in some exporting facilities leading to sub-standard stock survival and impacting commercial processes. Anecdotal reports from industry suggest an increased sensitivity of lobsters in recent seasons and the project hypothesis is that the animals are experiencing reduced holding capacity and increased mortality rates post capture as a result higher physiological stress, reduced immune function and then overwhelming infections with secondary bacteria or loss of physiological maintenance leading to death. However, further investigations, particularly on the role of potential unknown viral pathogens, is required to completely rule-out an infectious aetiology. 
The cause for the apparent sensitivity remains unclear, which could be related with environmental stress, such as increasing water temperatures. The south east coast of Australia has been identified as an ocean warming hotspot. The impact of this environmental change on SRL physiology currently remains unclear and should form the basis of future research. The project is particularly concerned that environmental change may be impacting lobster moult cycles resulting in weak pre- and post-moult lobsters being landed during the fishing season. Currently there are no practical and accurate methods available for industry to identify pre- and post-moult lobsters. The project strongly recommends that improved tools for the assessment of lobster moult cycle and stress condition are developed and made available to industry stakeholders across the entire post-harvest chain of custody. 
Investigation revealed considerable differences in industry live lobster management practices and apparent levels of mortality across the sector. These findings suggest a role of post-harvest practices for improving lobster performance in holding. Physiological and epidemiological investigation particularly highlight the potential for transport related emersion, stocking practices and sub-optimal physicochemical water quality (particularly low pH) to impact SRL mortality in holding. Mortality appears most severe during the warmer months during summer likely due to the heightened metabolic demands of lobsters associated with higher temperatures. The project strongly recommends that the Australian SRL industry focusses dedicated effort towards optimising post-harvest practices from wild capture to international export. 
The project has taken significant steps towards facilitating improved industry practice through:
  • Initial validation of improved lobster quality assessment tools, handheld lactate meter
  • Assessment of water quality measurement tools
  • Industry education on best practices through industry workshops
  • The development of an SRL processors industry best practice guide 
  • Development and validation of new immune function assays for SRL
  • Development of SRL haemolymph biochemical profiling capacity in Australia
  • Development of an SRL health assessment procedure manual 
In conclusion, the SRL industry is in a period of change and the industry must adapt to this change. The industry is changing in terms of its business model, political atmosphere and physical environment, all of which heighten the requirement for optimal post-harvest processes. The increased value of lobsters and reliance on live export has meant that even low levels of stock losses can have significant financial or SRL brand consequences. The political atmosphere is changing as consumer perceptions on the health and welfare of lobsters is increasingly becoming an important marketing issue. Finally, SRL exists in a global warming hot spot which appears to be placing new challenges for appropriate post-harvest processes. It is clear that the ultimate outcome for a lobster is dependent on the sum of its experiences through the entire post-harvest chain of custody. This project has focused on practices by the processing and holding industry sector. For optimum performance of SRL from capture to market, requires further research on other aspects of post-harvest processes, including the fishing industry and post export maintenance sectors. 
Anecdotal evidence suggests the industry has accepted the need for improve industry practices and several companies have made efforts to improve operations. Feedback from industry suggests that levels of mortalities across the sector have reduced in recent seasons which may be because of these improved maintenance practices. Attached to this final report is an impact statement from one of Australia’s largest SRL processors and export companies which details how the company pro-actively acted on project findings/recommendations and implemented numerous changes to company practices. In the most recent 2018-19 season, this company has experienced a 50% reduction in mortality that may be attributed to these improved practices. A 50% reduction to mortality loss across the industry sector represents a FRDC return for investment of 3-fold in just a single year and 30-fold over a decade. 
Recommendations 
The project findings suggest a need for improved industry practices, particularly in the key areas of:
  • Post capture transport, particularly on land dry transport procedures
  • Post transport recovery and purging procedures
  • Holding facility aquaculture systems 
  • Water quality monitoring and maintenance
  • Live lobster handling procedures
  • Data collection and stock traceability
  • Stock quality assessments
Details regarding these recommendations are provided in this report and to industry within the “Best Practice” guide. 
The project gathered feedback from industry members about industry concerns and future research priorities. The project identified 19 knowledge gaps or potential future research priorities regarding best post-harvest practice for live SRL. Written feedback on priority ranking of these research priorities were received from industry participants. Based on this feedback the top ranked future research priority for the post-harvest maintenance of live SRL was:
  • The development of improved tools and validation of condition/vitality assessments and relationship to survivability during holding, including Brix, lactate meter, reflex responses
Further to the ranked priorities, another priority which was not ranked at the industry workshop but was brought up by industry participants as a high priority was:
  • The assessment and refinement of on-vessel handling and maintenance processes to improve post capture lobster condition/vitality/survivability 
The project supports these two research priorities as they extend best practice across the entire chain of post-harvest custody from capture to export and will result in tools that will inform fisherman and processors on the quality of the stock and suitability of maintenance practices. We consider the next most important research priority would be the development of improved transport technologies and procedure to limit emersion stress on lobsters. 
 
Final Report • 2020-02-26 • 25.84 MB
2016-235-DLD.pdf

Summary

This report details the results of a multifaceted research program led by the Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania in collaboration with the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide. The work was undertaken to better evaluate post-harvest mortality of Southern Rock lobster (SRL) and investigate tools and processes to improve lobster holding within the SRL processing and exporting industry sector. The research was conducted to investigate a recent apparent increase in post-harvest mortality of SRL across the entire SRL industry sector in Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria. The research program was comprised of dedicated investigations of the physiology and pathology of moribund lobsters and the epidemiology (or patterns and associated factors) of lobster mortality across the industry sector and within case facilities. Complimentary research was conducted to inform and educate industry on “best practices” for post-harvest maintenance of live SRL and to develop practical extension tools to determine quality and vitality of captive SRL stock.
Collectively, the physiological and pathological investigations did not support the systematic association of a detectable crustacean pathogen with lower post-harvest SRL survival. However, a field survey suggested a limited holding capability in some exporting facilities leading to sub-standard stock survival and impacting commercial processes. Anecdotal reports from industry suggest an increased sensitivity of lobsters in recent seasons and the project hypothesis is that the animals are experiencing reduced holding capacity and increased mortality rates post capture as a result higher physiological stress, reduced immune function and then overwhelming infections with secondary bacteria or loss of physiological maintenance leading to death. However, further investigations, particularly on the role of potential unknown viral pathogens, is required to completely rule-out an infectious aetiology. 
The cause for the apparent sensitivity remains unclear, which could be related with environmental stress, such as increasing water temperatures. The south east coast of Australia has been identified as an ocean warming hotspot. The impact of this environmental change on SRL physiology currently remains unclear and should form the basis of future research. The project is particularly concerned that environmental change may be impacting lobster moult cycles resulting in weak pre- and post-moult lobsters being landed during the fishing season. Currently there are no practical and accurate methods available for industry to identify pre- and post-moult lobsters. The project strongly recommends that improved tools for the assessment of lobster moult cycle and stress condition are developed and made available to industry stakeholders across the entire post-harvest chain of custody. 
Investigation revealed considerable differences in industry live lobster management practices and apparent levels of mortality across the sector. These findings suggest a role of post-harvest practices for improving lobster performance in holding. Physiological and epidemiological investigation particularly highlight the potential for transport related emersion, stocking practices and sub-optimal physicochemical water quality (particularly low pH) to impact SRL mortality in holding. Mortality appears most severe during the warmer months during summer likely due to the heightened metabolic demands of lobsters associated with higher temperatures. The project strongly recommends that the Australian SRL industry focusses dedicated effort towards optimising post-harvest practices from wild capture to international export. 
The project has taken significant steps towards facilitating improved industry practice through:
  • Initial validation of improved lobster quality assessment tools, handheld lactate meter
  • Assessment of water quality measurement tools
  • Industry education on best practices through industry workshops
  • The development of an SRL processors industry best practice guide 
  • Development and validation of new immune function assays for SRL
  • Development of SRL haemolymph biochemical profiling capacity in Australia
  • Development of an SRL health assessment procedure manual 
In conclusion, the SRL industry is in a period of change and the industry must adapt to this change. The industry is changing in terms of its business model, political atmosphere and physical environment, all of which heighten the requirement for optimal post-harvest processes. The increased value of lobsters and reliance on live export has meant that even low levels of stock losses can have significant financial or SRL brand consequences. The political atmosphere is changing as consumer perceptions on the health and welfare of lobsters is increasingly becoming an important marketing issue. Finally, SRL exists in a global warming hot spot which appears to be placing new challenges for appropriate post-harvest processes. It is clear that the ultimate outcome for a lobster is dependent on the sum of its experiences through the entire post-harvest chain of custody. This project has focused on practices by the processing and holding industry sector. For optimum performance of SRL from capture to market, requires further research on other aspects of post-harvest processes, including the fishing industry and post export maintenance sectors. 
Anecdotal evidence suggests the industry has accepted the need for improve industry practices and several companies have made efforts to improve operations. Feedback from industry suggests that levels of mortalities across the sector have reduced in recent seasons which may be because of these improved maintenance practices. Attached to this final report is an impact statement from one of Australia’s largest SRL processors and export companies which details how the company pro-actively acted on project findings/recommendations and implemented numerous changes to company practices. In the most recent 2018-19 season, this company has experienced a 50% reduction in mortality that may be attributed to these improved practices. A 50% reduction to mortality loss across the industry sector represents a FRDC return for investment of 3-fold in just a single year and 30-fold over a decade. 
Recommendations 
The project findings suggest a need for improved industry practices, particularly in the key areas of:
  • Post capture transport, particularly on land dry transport procedures
  • Post transport recovery and purging procedures
  • Holding facility aquaculture systems 
  • Water quality monitoring and maintenance
  • Live lobster handling procedures
  • Data collection and stock traceability
  • Stock quality assessments
Details regarding these recommendations are provided in this report and to industry within the “Best Practice” guide. 
The project gathered feedback from industry members about industry concerns and future research priorities. The project identified 19 knowledge gaps or potential future research priorities regarding best post-harvest practice for live SRL. Written feedback on priority ranking of these research priorities were received from industry participants. Based on this feedback the top ranked future research priority for the post-harvest maintenance of live SRL was:
  • The development of improved tools and validation of condition/vitality assessments and relationship to survivability during holding, including Brix, lactate meter, reflex responses
Further to the ranked priorities, another priority which was not ranked at the industry workshop but was brought up by industry participants as a high priority was:
  • The assessment and refinement of on-vessel handling and maintenance processes to improve post capture lobster condition/vitality/survivability 
The project supports these two research priorities as they extend best practice across the entire chain of post-harvest custody from capture to export and will result in tools that will inform fisherman and processors on the quality of the stock and suitability of maintenance practices. We consider the next most important research priority would be the development of improved transport technologies and procedure to limit emersion stress on lobsters. 
 
Final Report • 2020-02-26 • 25.84 MB
2016-235-DLD.pdf

Summary

This report details the results of a multifaceted research program led by the Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania in collaboration with the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide. The work was undertaken to better evaluate post-harvest mortality of Southern Rock lobster (SRL) and investigate tools and processes to improve lobster holding within the SRL processing and exporting industry sector. The research was conducted to investigate a recent apparent increase in post-harvest mortality of SRL across the entire SRL industry sector in Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria. The research program was comprised of dedicated investigations of the physiology and pathology of moribund lobsters and the epidemiology (or patterns and associated factors) of lobster mortality across the industry sector and within case facilities. Complimentary research was conducted to inform and educate industry on “best practices” for post-harvest maintenance of live SRL and to develop practical extension tools to determine quality and vitality of captive SRL stock.
Collectively, the physiological and pathological investigations did not support the systematic association of a detectable crustacean pathogen with lower post-harvest SRL survival. However, a field survey suggested a limited holding capability in some exporting facilities leading to sub-standard stock survival and impacting commercial processes. Anecdotal reports from industry suggest an increased sensitivity of lobsters in recent seasons and the project hypothesis is that the animals are experiencing reduced holding capacity and increased mortality rates post capture as a result higher physiological stress, reduced immune function and then overwhelming infections with secondary bacteria or loss of physiological maintenance leading to death. However, further investigations, particularly on the role of potential unknown viral pathogens, is required to completely rule-out an infectious aetiology. 
The cause for the apparent sensitivity remains unclear, which could be related with environmental stress, such as increasing water temperatures. The south east coast of Australia has been identified as an ocean warming hotspot. The impact of this environmental change on SRL physiology currently remains unclear and should form the basis of future research. The project is particularly concerned that environmental change may be impacting lobster moult cycles resulting in weak pre- and post-moult lobsters being landed during the fishing season. Currently there are no practical and accurate methods available for industry to identify pre- and post-moult lobsters. The project strongly recommends that improved tools for the assessment of lobster moult cycle and stress condition are developed and made available to industry stakeholders across the entire post-harvest chain of custody. 
Investigation revealed considerable differences in industry live lobster management practices and apparent levels of mortality across the sector. These findings suggest a role of post-harvest practices for improving lobster performance in holding. Physiological and epidemiological investigation particularly highlight the potential for transport related emersion, stocking practices and sub-optimal physicochemical water quality (particularly low pH) to impact SRL mortality in holding. Mortality appears most severe during the warmer months during summer likely due to the heightened metabolic demands of lobsters associated with higher temperatures. The project strongly recommends that the Australian SRL industry focusses dedicated effort towards optimising post-harvest practices from wild capture to international export. 
The project has taken significant steps towards facilitating improved industry practice through:
  • Initial validation of improved lobster quality assessment tools, handheld lactate meter
  • Assessment of water quality measurement tools
  • Industry education on best practices through industry workshops
  • The development of an SRL processors industry best practice guide 
  • Development and validation of new immune function assays for SRL
  • Development of SRL haemolymph biochemical profiling capacity in Australia
  • Development of an SRL health assessment procedure manual 
In conclusion, the SRL industry is in a period of change and the industry must adapt to this change. The industry is changing in terms of its business model, political atmosphere and physical environment, all of which heighten the requirement for optimal post-harvest processes. The increased value of lobsters and reliance on live export has meant that even low levels of stock losses can have significant financial or SRL brand consequences. The political atmosphere is changing as consumer perceptions on the health and welfare of lobsters is increasingly becoming an important marketing issue. Finally, SRL exists in a global warming hot spot which appears to be placing new challenges for appropriate post-harvest processes. It is clear that the ultimate outcome for a lobster is dependent on the sum of its experiences through the entire post-harvest chain of custody. This project has focused on practices by the processing and holding industry sector. For optimum performance of SRL from capture to market, requires further research on other aspects of post-harvest processes, including the fishing industry and post export maintenance sectors. 
Anecdotal evidence suggests the industry has accepted the need for improve industry practices and several companies have made efforts to improve operations. Feedback from industry suggests that levels of mortalities across the sector have reduced in recent seasons which may be because of these improved maintenance practices. Attached to this final report is an impact statement from one of Australia’s largest SRL processors and export companies which details how the company pro-actively acted on project findings/recommendations and implemented numerous changes to company practices. In the most recent 2018-19 season, this company has experienced a 50% reduction in mortality that may be attributed to these improved practices. A 50% reduction to mortality loss across the industry sector represents a FRDC return for investment of 3-fold in just a single year and 30-fold over a decade. 
Recommendations 
The project findings suggest a need for improved industry practices, particularly in the key areas of:
  • Post capture transport, particularly on land dry transport procedures
  • Post transport recovery and purging procedures
  • Holding facility aquaculture systems 
  • Water quality monitoring and maintenance
  • Live lobster handling procedures
  • Data collection and stock traceability
  • Stock quality assessments
Details regarding these recommendations are provided in this report and to industry within the “Best Practice” guide. 
The project gathered feedback from industry members about industry concerns and future research priorities. The project identified 19 knowledge gaps or potential future research priorities regarding best post-harvest practice for live SRL. Written feedback on priority ranking of these research priorities were received from industry participants. Based on this feedback the top ranked future research priority for the post-harvest maintenance of live SRL was:
  • The development of improved tools and validation of condition/vitality assessments and relationship to survivability during holding, including Brix, lactate meter, reflex responses
Further to the ranked priorities, another priority which was not ranked at the industry workshop but was brought up by industry participants as a high priority was:
  • The assessment and refinement of on-vessel handling and maintenance processes to improve post capture lobster condition/vitality/survivability 
The project supports these two research priorities as they extend best practice across the entire chain of post-harvest custody from capture to export and will result in tools that will inform fisherman and processors on the quality of the stock and suitability of maintenance practices. We consider the next most important research priority would be the development of improved transport technologies and procedure to limit emersion stress on lobsters. 
 

Improvements to Semi Intensive Floating Tank System to achieve commercial readiness in marine environments

Project number: 2008-038
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $72,000.00
Principal Investigator: Ian McRobert
Organisation: McRobert Aquaculture Group Ltd
Project start/end date: 20 Apr 2008 - 30 Jul 2008
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Waste
Mortality
Biomass
Aquaculture

Need

This project relates to Challenge 3 - Increased demand and profitability. The priority it relates to is "Develop capacity to produce more fish for consumption or for fishing experiences."

Growing demand for finfish cannot be met by Australian commercial fishing sources, (particularly with cancellation of commercial licenses in WA). Aquaculture can potentially meet this growing demand. However, there is a reducing number of marine aquaculture sites in Australia due to the increased attention to the environmental impact of traditional sea cage aquaculture.

This project is focused on creating an environmentally sensitive marine aquaculture production system, to increase aquaculture production, offsetting the reduction of commercial fishing licenses and help address the increasing prices of finfish in WA.

The FRDC will be aware of the SIFTS project in Northam which had combined funding from FRDC and The Wheatbelt Development Authority. It was concluded that the SIFTS has application in sensitive marine environments.

Therefore, McRobert have funded the R&D to date ($550,000) modifying the SIFTS for a sheltered marine environment. This R&D has resulted in a prototype in Fremantle Harbour. To date, only small quantities of fish have been trialed as the system still needs to have a number of components completed before it can be put into full utilisation.

McRobert wish to progress quickly with these modifications so that we can trial several species, and analyse data before the lease on the site expires.

Benefits from this project include:
- More coastal locations will be acceptable for aquaculture of marine finfish using a SIFTS system, making aquaculture viable.
- Increased aquaculture production in Australia and less reliance on imports.
- Excess capacity in the exisiting value adding infrastructure can be utilised rather than abandoned.
- Sludge dewatering and economic disposal will also have potential benefits for existing and future recirculation systems.

Objectives

1. To develop an efficient commercial waste process that results in an onshore waste product that can either be used commercially or dispoased of economically
2. To design and commission a labour efficient system which removes sick/dead fish from SIFTS without diving and stressing the remaining fish.

Final report

Author: Ian McRobert
Final Report • 2009-07-17
2008-038-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2009-07-17
2008-038-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2009-07-17
2008-038-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2009-07-17
2008-038-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2009-07-17
2008-038-DLD.pdf

Healthcheck Phase 2

Project number: 2016-060
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $251,020.00
Principal Investigator: Alistair Hobday
Organisation: CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart
Project start/end date: 29 Jan 2017 - 30 Jan 2019
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Training
Sustainability
Stock Assessment
Stakeholder
Health And Safety

Need

Sustainable fishing is typically used to imply sound use of a sustainable resource. Australian fisheries are recognized as world leading with regard to research and management, yet that message is still not being heard by many Australians, potentially eroding support for this industry. Recent events have shown that information about fishery performance with regard to target species is no longer sufficient for many Australians. Increasing attention in media and society-at-large is now given to a range of other fishery issues, including bycatch, economic performance, stock status and social/societal issues. Thus, for Australian fisheries, it is no longer just about catching fish - it is about a sustainable industry and management of a range of other issues. We lack a framework for transparently, independently and comprehensively reporting on these issues.
We will continue the development of a reporting framework for the status of Australian fisheries across a range of issues, as a companion to the ABARES-led stock status report (SAFS). This assessment template and the associated case studies will provide a holistic picture of the sustainability (biological, social and economic) of key Australian fish fisheries to inform the broader seafood sustainability debate. This will provide fisheries managers and other stakeholders with a clear view of successes, strengths, and challenges. We expect this template to form the basis for performance reporting on fisheries for use in other efforts such as State of Environment Reports. This work is needed to see Australian fisheries recognized more widely amongst the general public for the strong sustainability focus, and the strengths compared to other nations. This assessment will draw on a wide range of existing research and management outputs, be accessible, and through an inclusive development and consultative process, be trusted by the fishing sector and the Australian public.

Objectives

1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries
2. Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from all jurisdictions and upload to web-based application
3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stock status reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updating the reports into the future
4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating to this project and broader national initiatives

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-4863-1241-2 online
Authors: Alistair J. Hobday Jason R. Hartog Emily Ogier Linda Thomas Aysha Fleming Sara Hornborg
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.

International Travel Bursary - Elspeth Macdonald's (Scottish Fishermen's Federation) experience with spatial management and the renewable energy sector

Project number: 2022-201
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $29,700.00
Principal Investigator: Kyri Toumazos
Organisation: South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishermen's Association
Project start/end date: 28 Jun 2023 - 30 Aug 2023
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Resource Sharing
Resource Sharing
Resource Access And Allocation
Renewable Energy
Marine Park

Need

Elspeth Macdonald, the CEO of Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF), is a key advocate for the fishing industry and has critical knowledge and experience with the spatial squeeze and the emerging offshore renewable energy sector. As such, WAFIC and the South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishermen’s’ Association recognises an opportunity for the fishing industry and government representatives to share and learn from Scotland’s experiences. Through this exchange of knowledge, we hope to guide the development of Australian policy frameworks that encourage co-existence with commercial fisheries.

Tentatively, we are planning for Mrs Macdonald to arrive in Perth to attend high-level State Ministerial and State and Commonwealth Government meetings, before travelling to Adelaide to be a keynote speaker at the Rock Lobster Trans-Tasman Conference arranged by the South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishermen’s’ Association and then attend a National Coordination Ocean Access Committee meeting coordinated by Seafood Industry Australia. Other potential opportunities may also be identified and discussed in the months leading up to Mrs Macdonald’s arrival.

Know & Show your Carbon Footprint - Discovery Phase

Project number: 2022-105
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $35,000.00
Principal Investigator: Sarah Castellanos
Organisation: Agricultural Innovation Australia Ltd (AIA)
Project start/end date: 31 Dec 2022 - 31 Jul 2023
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Climate Resilience
Climate Mitigation
Climate Change

Need

This project will be an initial discovery phase to inform scoping of overall approach.

Deliverables include:
Consultation across fishing and aquaculture stakeholders at least 38 key fishing and aquaculture stakeholders.
• Identification of the functional and non-functional requirements to create K&S functionality for the included sectors.
• Identification of the data and modelling requirements to create K&S module/functionality for the included sectors.
• Assessment of any current solutions/calculators provided relative to the market requirement.
• Evaluate current reference and benchmarking data versus what is required to support accurate, automated carbon accounting, and, ultimately inform decision-making that enables productivity whilst reducing carbon emissions.
• Understand the gap between knowing your carbon footprint and being able to make informed decisions that lead to reductions in emissions.
• Identification of the data and modelling requirements to create a module and/or functionality for the included sectors.
• Identification of the missing calculators, features, functionality and underlying data and research required to enable all sectors to participate and benefit from the platform.
• Documented solution design for creation of functionality identified during discovery for addition to the core infrastructure.
• Report detailing the results of the carbon footprint calculation drivers / needs / existing knowledge, tools & data, gap analysis, and solution design. This will inform the Contributor and AIA in respect of further investment in the K&S solution.

Objectives

1. Complete discovery phase to inform scoping of 'Know & Show', for consideration

National seafood industry advanced leadership program - participant sponsorship

Project number: 2008-309.20
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $0.00
Principal Investigator: Jo-Anne Ruscoe
Organisation: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
Project start/end date: 12 Dec 2007 - 30 Jun 2009
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Training
Survey
Leadership
Education

Need

The success of the national seafood industry leadership program has seen a growth in support from industry and increased competition for places in the progam.

The seafood industry, will always face challenges where leadership is needed. Currently, many fisheries are facing the very real crisis of declining access to fishing resources. Investing in Leadership, and the assocaited networks and cross stakeholder understanding is seen as vitally important for all sectors to be able to contribute to debate, drive change and address challenges in order to enable the fishing industry to reach its potential.

The National Leadership Program has had considerable support from industry throughout the years from sponsorship of key events and in-kind contribution to provision of guest speakers. These areas of support and the ongoing funding as built a leadership program with significant reputation throughout the industry. Rural Training Initiatives is aware that this reputation needs to be protected and enhanced through the delivery of a 2008 program.

As mentioned in the background section, it is critical that the momentum for leadership development is not lost during a 'fallow' year.

Objectives

1. Develop the leadership capability of the seafood industry
2. Ensure individuals from a broad cross section of industry are encouraged and supported to develop their leadership potential
3. Encourage cross-sectoral understanding within the seafood industry

Aquafin CRC - SBT Aquaculture Subprogram: strategic planning, project management and adoption

Project number: 2001-250
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $278,957.13
Principal Investigator: Steven Clarke
Organisation: SARDI Food Safety and Innovation
Project start/end date: 30 Jan 2002 - 31 May 2005
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Policy
Nutrition
Marketing
Market Opportunities
Innovation

Objectives

1. Coordinate the use of resources of the tuna research farm, Boston Bay, Port Lincoln and nay other core facilities requried.
2. Provide a coordinated research program addressing the foucus areas of the R&D plan for the SBT Aquaculture Industry.
3. Communicate, where appropriate, the research outcomes to all relevant sectors of the SBT aquaculture industry to facilitate the commercialisation of research outomes directed at ensuring the sustainability and profitability of the industry.
4. Coordinate administration and meetings of the SBT Aquaculture Subprogram ensuring effective communication throughout members of committees and industry.

Final report

ISBN: 0-7308-5320-9
Author: Steven Clarke
Final Report • 2005-02-17 • 444.95 KB
2001-250-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT), Thunnus maccoyii, Aquaculture Industry has undergone rapid expansion since it commenced in 1990. In 2002/03 the industry was Australia’s third largest export fishing industry (ABARE, 2002) with most of its value coming from aquaculture. In this year the industry produced about 9,100 tonnes (whole weight) worth approximately $267 million (Knight et al, 2004), employing over 2000 people directly and indirectly, particularly in the Eyre Region of South Australia.

In recent years, however, production has levelled off, with nearly the entire available quota going into aquaculture. The value of the industry has also been affected by increasing competition on the Japanese market (the largest importer of Australian SBT) from overseas supplies of northern bluefin tuna (NBT), the fluctuating Japanese and Australian currency exchange rate and world health and terrorism events.  More than ever there is a need for well prioritised and coordinated R&D to address key issues that will maintain or enhance the industry’s competitiveness.  

In 1997 the coordination of the Subprogram commenced as part of ‘Project 1: Implementation and coordination of research experiments conducted with caged SBT, to access manufactured diets, feeding regimes and harvesting techniques (FRDC No: 1997/361)’. In 2001 this role was formalised in the current, more focused project (FRDC No: 2001/250). The objectives of this project were to provide a cohesive approach to R&D aimed at meeting the priority needs of the industry; to provide a management structure to oversee the active research projects and ensure that they achieved their desired outcomes; to manage and coordinate the infrastructure and activities associated with SBT research in Port Lincoln, and to provide a focused strategy for disseminating research results to industry, obtain feedback and set research priorities.  The Subprogram has also been successful in providing a focus for all SBT research projects in Australia, in particular with the Aquafin CRC Programs: Production; Value Adding; Health; Environment and Education and Training, which have all been run through the Subprogram.

Final Report • 2005-02-17 • 444.95 KB
2001-250-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT), Thunnus maccoyii, Aquaculture Industry has undergone rapid expansion since it commenced in 1990. In 2002/03 the industry was Australia’s third largest export fishing industry (ABARE, 2002) with most of its value coming from aquaculture. In this year the industry produced about 9,100 tonnes (whole weight) worth approximately $267 million (Knight et al, 2004), employing over 2000 people directly and indirectly, particularly in the Eyre Region of South Australia.

In recent years, however, production has levelled off, with nearly the entire available quota going into aquaculture. The value of the industry has also been affected by increasing competition on the Japanese market (the largest importer of Australian SBT) from overseas supplies of northern bluefin tuna (NBT), the fluctuating Japanese and Australian currency exchange rate and world health and terrorism events.  More than ever there is a need for well prioritised and coordinated R&D to address key issues that will maintain or enhance the industry’s competitiveness.  

In 1997 the coordination of the Subprogram commenced as part of ‘Project 1: Implementation and coordination of research experiments conducted with caged SBT, to access manufactured diets, feeding regimes and harvesting techniques (FRDC No: 1997/361)’. In 2001 this role was formalised in the current, more focused project (FRDC No: 2001/250). The objectives of this project were to provide a cohesive approach to R&D aimed at meeting the priority needs of the industry; to provide a management structure to oversee the active research projects and ensure that they achieved their desired outcomes; to manage and coordinate the infrastructure and activities associated with SBT research in Port Lincoln, and to provide a focused strategy for disseminating research results to industry, obtain feedback and set research priorities.  The Subprogram has also been successful in providing a focus for all SBT research projects in Australia, in particular with the Aquafin CRC Programs: Production; Value Adding; Health; Environment and Education and Training, which have all been run through the Subprogram.

Final Report • 2005-02-17 • 444.95 KB
2001-250-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT), Thunnus maccoyii, Aquaculture Industry has undergone rapid expansion since it commenced in 1990. In 2002/03 the industry was Australia’s third largest export fishing industry (ABARE, 2002) with most of its value coming from aquaculture. In this year the industry produced about 9,100 tonnes (whole weight) worth approximately $267 million (Knight et al, 2004), employing over 2000 people directly and indirectly, particularly in the Eyre Region of South Australia.

In recent years, however, production has levelled off, with nearly the entire available quota going into aquaculture. The value of the industry has also been affected by increasing competition on the Japanese market (the largest importer of Australian SBT) from overseas supplies of northern bluefin tuna (NBT), the fluctuating Japanese and Australian currency exchange rate and world health and terrorism events.  More than ever there is a need for well prioritised and coordinated R&D to address key issues that will maintain or enhance the industry’s competitiveness.  

In 1997 the coordination of the Subprogram commenced as part of ‘Project 1: Implementation and coordination of research experiments conducted with caged SBT, to access manufactured diets, feeding regimes and harvesting techniques (FRDC No: 1997/361)’. In 2001 this role was formalised in the current, more focused project (FRDC No: 2001/250). The objectives of this project were to provide a cohesive approach to R&D aimed at meeting the priority needs of the industry; to provide a management structure to oversee the active research projects and ensure that they achieved their desired outcomes; to manage and coordinate the infrastructure and activities associated with SBT research in Port Lincoln, and to provide a focused strategy for disseminating research results to industry, obtain feedback and set research priorities.  The Subprogram has also been successful in providing a focus for all SBT research projects in Australia, in particular with the Aquafin CRC Programs: Production; Value Adding; Health; Environment and Education and Training, which have all been run through the Subprogram.

Final Report • 2005-02-17 • 444.95 KB
2001-250-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT), Thunnus maccoyii, Aquaculture Industry has undergone rapid expansion since it commenced in 1990. In 2002/03 the industry was Australia’s third largest export fishing industry (ABARE, 2002) with most of its value coming from aquaculture. In this year the industry produced about 9,100 tonnes (whole weight) worth approximately $267 million (Knight et al, 2004), employing over 2000 people directly and indirectly, particularly in the Eyre Region of South Australia.

In recent years, however, production has levelled off, with nearly the entire available quota going into aquaculture. The value of the industry has also been affected by increasing competition on the Japanese market (the largest importer of Australian SBT) from overseas supplies of northern bluefin tuna (NBT), the fluctuating Japanese and Australian currency exchange rate and world health and terrorism events.  More than ever there is a need for well prioritised and coordinated R&D to address key issues that will maintain or enhance the industry’s competitiveness.  

In 1997 the coordination of the Subprogram commenced as part of ‘Project 1: Implementation and coordination of research experiments conducted with caged SBT, to access manufactured diets, feeding regimes and harvesting techniques (FRDC No: 1997/361)’. In 2001 this role was formalised in the current, more focused project (FRDC No: 2001/250). The objectives of this project were to provide a cohesive approach to R&D aimed at meeting the priority needs of the industry; to provide a management structure to oversee the active research projects and ensure that they achieved their desired outcomes; to manage and coordinate the infrastructure and activities associated with SBT research in Port Lincoln, and to provide a focused strategy for disseminating research results to industry, obtain feedback and set research priorities.  The Subprogram has also been successful in providing a focus for all SBT research projects in Australia, in particular with the Aquafin CRC Programs: Production; Value Adding; Health; Environment and Education and Training, which have all been run through the Subprogram.

Final Report • 2005-02-17 • 444.95 KB
2001-250-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT), Thunnus maccoyii, Aquaculture Industry has undergone rapid expansion since it commenced in 1990. In 2002/03 the industry was Australia’s third largest export fishing industry (ABARE, 2002) with most of its value coming from aquaculture. In this year the industry produced about 9,100 tonnes (whole weight) worth approximately $267 million (Knight et al, 2004), employing over 2000 people directly and indirectly, particularly in the Eyre Region of South Australia.

In recent years, however, production has levelled off, with nearly the entire available quota going into aquaculture. The value of the industry has also been affected by increasing competition on the Japanese market (the largest importer of Australian SBT) from overseas supplies of northern bluefin tuna (NBT), the fluctuating Japanese and Australian currency exchange rate and world health and terrorism events.  More than ever there is a need for well prioritised and coordinated R&D to address key issues that will maintain or enhance the industry’s competitiveness.  

In 1997 the coordination of the Subprogram commenced as part of ‘Project 1: Implementation and coordination of research experiments conducted with caged SBT, to access manufactured diets, feeding regimes and harvesting techniques (FRDC No: 1997/361)’. In 2001 this role was formalised in the current, more focused project (FRDC No: 2001/250). The objectives of this project were to provide a cohesive approach to R&D aimed at meeting the priority needs of the industry; to provide a management structure to oversee the active research projects and ensure that they achieved their desired outcomes; to manage and coordinate the infrastructure and activities associated with SBT research in Port Lincoln, and to provide a focused strategy for disseminating research results to industry, obtain feedback and set research priorities.  The Subprogram has also been successful in providing a focus for all SBT research projects in Australia, in particular with the Aquafin CRC Programs: Production; Value Adding; Health; Environment and Education and Training, which have all been run through the Subprogram.

Tactical Research Fund: industry monitoring and sampling of Gulper shark catches in the SESSF

Project number: 2009-023
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $72,031.00
Principal Investigator: Matt Koopman
Organisation: Fishwell Consulting Pty Ltd
Project start/end date: 14 Feb 2009 - 29 Dec 2010
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Wild Catch
Training
Threatened Endangered Protected Species
Stakeholder
Genomics
SPECIES
Endeavour Dogfishes

Need

Information on gulper shark species in the SESSF is generally poor. Difficulty in the identification of this group of dogsharks down to the species level by Industry has compromised the value of commercial catch and effort data for gulper sharks. Their low productivity, combined with poor information has the potential to make gulper sharks the ‘Achilles’ Heel’ of SESSF operators, with the possibility of endangered species listing to significantly impact on upper slope fishing by all sectors.

In targeted surveys where commercial vessels have carried scientific observers skilled in the identification of gulper sharks, larger numbers of Harrisons, Southern and Endeavour dogfish have been identified in the catch. This reporting improves the information that is available on their distribution and abundance. With appropriate training in identification and sampling, Industry members could provide potentially crucial information to inform the assessment of the threatened species nomination for these species. Without such information, the assessment could largely rely on two ‘snapshot estimates’ from research surveys conducted by the Fisheries Research Vessel ‘Kapala’ off NSW, the last of which took place during the mid 1990s. Given the impending assessment completion date (30th September 2010), there is an urgent need to increase awareness and identification skill of Industry members to collect meaningful catch and effort data on gulper shark species.

Objectives

1. Increase gulper shark identification skills of SESSF Industry members to facilitate the collection of meaningful catch and effort data in commercial logbooks.
2. Scientifically verify the veracity of industry identification of gulper sharks through DNA samples
3. Improve our understanding of the distribution and abundance of gulper sharks in the SESSF.
4. Facilitate ongoing Industry monitoring of gulper sharks.

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-9808289-4-8
Author: Matthew Koopman
Final Report • 2011-08-03 • 3.89 MB
2009-023-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2011-08-03 • 3.89 MB
2009-023-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2011-08-03 • 3.89 MB
2009-023-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2011-08-03 • 3.89 MB
2009-023-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2011-08-03 • 3.89 MB
2009-023-DLD.pdf

Status of key Australian fish stocks reports and companion national fishery status reports - review of the 2012 reporting process and planning for future reports

Project number: 2012-513
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $66,200.00
Principal Investigator: Matt J. Flood
Organisation: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) ABARES
Project start/end date: 19 May 2013 - 20 Nov 2013
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Wild Catch
Stock Assessment
Stakeholder
Analytics

Need

The release of the first SAFS reports in 2012 demonstrated the value and impact of national fisheries reporting. In order to build on this and establish a strategic, longer-term legacy it is critical that the process is evaluated and the next edition planned. The current proposal is critical to developing the mechanisms needed to establish the reports as on-going and build towards the broader elements of national fisheries status reporting.

This proposal builds on the investment in the inaugural reports, facilitating feedback from end-users and those directly involved in production. It also provides a forum for agreeing on processes for the second edition of the SAFS reports (tentatively scheduled for 2014) and future companion reports that will contribute to establishing national fishery status reporting.

While the initial reports focused on target species, there is a longer term need to build reporting frameworks on other aspects of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD), such as the effects of fishing on the marine environment, economic performance, governance and/or social good. Elements of this are already underway through complementary projects, and this proposal will identify and focus on the key gaps.

Complimentary projects with a national focus on fisheries include:

2010/061 ‘Development of a national harvest strategy framework’ (PIRSA)
2013/023 ‘Develop a draft Australian Standard for responsible fishing on vessels to improve public perception of the commercial fishing industry’ (SSA)
2012/746 ‘Seafood CRC: preliminary investigation of internationally recognised Responsible Fisheries Management Certification’ (Sydney-Fish-Market)
2013/024 ‘Professionalising industry - NSW pilot’ (Oceanwatch)
2011/513 ‘Status of key Australian fish stocks reports’ (ABARES)
Review of the Commonwealth policy on fisheries bycatch (DAFF)
Review of the Commonwealth Harvest Strategy Policy (DAFF)
2010/046 ‘Improving the Management of Bycatch: Development and Testing of Standards for the Effective Mitigation of Bycatch in Commonwealth Fisheries’ (ABARES)
2010/040 'National social objectives and indicators guide' (FRDC)

Objectives

1. To document the lessons learned from the production process used for the Status of key Australian fish stocks reports 2012
2. To develop a preliminary agreed process for production of the next edition of the SAFS reports
3. To develop a preliminary agreed process for production of companion reports building towards national fishery status reporting

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-74323-177-7
Author: Mirjana Barrie
Final Report • 2013-12-15 • 7.74 MB
2012-513-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2013-12-15 • 7.74 MB
2012-513-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2013-12-15 • 7.74 MB
2012-513-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2013-12-15 • 7.74 MB
2012-513-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2013-12-15 • 7.74 MB
2012-513-DLD.pdf

Validation and extension of acoustic reef habitat mapping methodologies in the western abalone zone, Victoria

Project number: 2004-020
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $75,000.00
Principal Investigator: David Ball
Organisation: Agriculture Victoria
Project start/end date: 30 Aug 2004 - 10 Aug 2008
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Survey
Remote Sensing
Habitat
Electronic Monitoring
Ecosystem
SPECIES
Blacklip Abalone

Need

The Victorian abalone fishery is currently the subject of several research programs which address aspects of the spatial management of the fishery (eg. FRDC 1996/116 and FRDC 2002/083). The “Research Needs and Priorities for Fisheries in Victoria 2001/02-2005/06” also identifies the need for research programs and data to assist the spatial management of the industry. The recent closure of fishing areas following the declaration of new Victorian Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries has also highlighted the need for accurate spatial habitat information in the management of the fishery.

An original objective of the Victorian abalone management zones and quota system was to achieve a spread of fishing effort consistent with the spatial distribution of abalone, and this is now reflected by separate total allowable catch (TAC) allocations for each management zone. The current Victorian Abalone Management Plan (2002) identifies the preferred option for achieving an optimal spread of fishing effort at the local level in the future will be sub-zonal TAC setting. It is noted in the management plan that management at this more refined spatial scale will require information that enables a better understanding and modelling of the spatial aspects of the fishery. Understanding the spatial distribution of habitat will help determine the appropriate scale for management and assessment.

The success of future reef mapping programs will be dependent on application of effective mapping methodologies that are consistent with habitat classification techniques within the southern Australian region. Validating the TAFI mapping approach and enhancing the methodology in Victorian marine environments will provide an extension of this approach.

Objectives

1. To validate and extend acoustic reef mapping techniques and habitat classification methodologies developed in SA and Tasmania through their application in the Victorian Western Abalone Zone.
2. To target high value reef habitats in the Western Abalone Zone for application of acoustic mapping and habitat classification methodologies.
3. To integrate acoustic reef data and mapping in a GIS database.

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-74217-144-9
Author: David Ball
Final Report • 2009-05-19
2004-020-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2009-05-19
2004-020-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2009-05-19
2004-020-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2009-05-19
2004-020-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2009-05-19
2004-020-DLD.pdf
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