Tactical Research Fund: Developing a management framework and harvest strategies for small scale multi-species, multi-method community based fisheries, using the South Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery as a case study
Application of tracking technologies to understand space-time explicit patterns of movement, residency and habitat use of pelagic sharks in Spencer Gulf: resolving overlaps with key community activities and marine industries
Seafood Industry Partnerships in Schools - Phase 2 Program
Lack of knowledge by community has contributed to poor perception of industry and negative community attitudes. Teachers are ill-informed about industry’s efforts to operate in a sustainable manner; once informed-they incorporate better knowledge into their teaching program. The long-term benefits for industry with a better informed community are considerable.
The SIPS-Tasmanian-Pilot indicated teachers have difficulty accessing information about the marine environment, sustainable fishing/marine farm practices, and post-harvest sector. Developing/delivering this information within a metropolitan context is a key challenge of this program. Fishermen/Farmers and the post harvest sector are seeking avenues to engage with their local community to secure their social licence to operate - this program gives them a community a voice and a connection with the next generation. An informed community can actively engage in debate around issues affecting industry and the seafood supply - particularly at point-of-sale. Delivering this information to schoolchildren and teachers in a metropolitan context is key.
With the assistance and support of key groups such as the Sydney Fish Market, Master Fish Merchants of Australia, and NSW Fishermens’ Cooperative Association, and our in-house experience of working with the NSW Department of Education, and with various state-based teachers associations on our 'Our Valuable Estuaries' projects - OceanWatch Australia has the ability, determination and support of industry, to make this project succeed.
Final report
National Recreational Fishing Conference bursary 2019
Seafood Directions 2019
Educating though Escape with ET
Communication and extension has been identified by the board as an activity on which more work should be undertaken.
In particular the last three AOP's for FRDC identified under Challenge 5: Community and consumer support two key priorities:
• Educate the community about fisheries and aquaculture management and its contribution to Australia.
• Communicate the benefits of government and industry investment in R&D.
To deliver key messages to the broader community, television is widely recogised as a powerful, albeit costly, tool. Escape with ET provides a cost effective vehicle to reach not only recreational fishers but those in the community that are interested in a wider range of activities and pursuits.
Over the course of Series 9 and 10, FRDC has helped produce over 35 individual stories on R&D ranging from release fish survival through to Australian Salmon and Southern Rocklobster which has been seen by a cumalitive audience of over 18,000,000.