Evaluating the potential use of change-in-ratio and index removal techniques for determining harvest rates and efficiency increases in the Western Rock Lobster Fishery
Tactical Research Fund: Nutrient and phytoplankton data from Storm Bay to support sustainable resource planning
Knowledge of changing environmental conditions and productivity as a result of climate change is essential for adaptive management. In addition to direct applicability to fisheries and aquaculture in southern Tasmania, this information will have numerous important applications to other industries and stakeholders in the broader catchment.
CSIRO and TAFI have established a program (INFORMD- Inshore network for observation and regional management: Derwent-Huon) to guide multiple use coastal zone development and management. Storm Bay is an integral component of the INFORMD region and a priority is to understand both the short term (climate variability) and long-term (climate change) drivers of productivity in the region and link these to production of fisheries and aquaculture. CSIRO have a project investigating novel observing technologies (NOTe) to characterize the Derwent to shelf environment and TAFI will fund a charter vessel to monthly sample water column environmental variables, and support the CSIRO observing system. Thus an opportunity exists to obtain nutrient and productivity data in the Storm Bay region in a very cost-effective manner by collaborating with the existing research program.
Important background information is that the East Australian Current is predicted to penetrate further south causing significant warming and decreased productivity. Previous work (Harris et al 1991) showed that the nutrient status of waters clearly indicated the influence of the EAC, and primary producers indicated the productivity of the region, demonstrating the potential for Storm Bay to act as an indicator of productivity for Southern and Eastern Tasmania. Such information is important to understanding changes in fisheries and aquaculture production and, as a consequence, to assist with developing climate change adaptive management strategies.
This project also provides an opportunity for FRDC to invest in a project that will have significant influence on multiple use management in Australia.
Final report
This project has provided preliminary data on environmental conditions in Storm Bay that is assisting managers and marine industries to better understand effects of climate change and climate variability on fisheries and aquaculture in the region, including changing currents and primary productivity. This information is being used to inform the development of climate change adaptive management strategies for commercial and recreational fisheries and for the potential expansion of salmon aquaculture into Storm Bay. The environmental characterisation of Storm Bay is also supporting planning in the region, by providing baseline data and data for projects modelling the bay’s water circulation and ecosystem dynamics. This information will support the development of multiple use management plans for the region.
Keywords: Climate variability, Storm Bay, water quality, productivity, offshore salmon aquaculture
Developing and testing a cultural change process in the NSW wild harvest sector: a case study to facilitate a process towards co-management in the NSW Northern Fish Trawl
Know & Show your Carbon Footprint - Discovery Phase
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.