Investigation of the direct and indirect role of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) on Western Rock Lobster settlement processes: with consideration of the potential role of contaminants
Climate driven shifts in benthic habitat composition as a potential demographic bottleneck for Western Rocklobster: understanding the role of recruitment habitats to better predict the under-size lobster population for fishery sustainability
Extension and synthesis of key FRDC research areas
The FRDC have been looking at how best to undertake extension of research projects. A number of options and solutions have been identified. One considered and supported by attendees at the Annual FRDC Stakeholder Workshop. is to undertaken issue specific analysis – research synthesis.
Final report
Harvest strategies provide pre-planned actions ensuring sustainable fish populations while considering economic and social aspects. This report summarises an extension webinar where researchers, managers, and stakeholders discussed the development and implementation of these strategies. The FRDC has funded several past and current projects pertaining to Harvest Strategy development and implementation and continues to receive interest from a range of stakeholders around further research and development opportunities in this space. To promote discussion, extension, and adoption across current and recent related investments in harvest strategy R&D, the FRDC hosted an independently facilitated extension webinar. The webinar provided an opportunity for Project Investigators to socialise their research, extend the latest learning in this dynamic policy/research space, and promote a dialogue among research providers, fisheries managers, and harvest strategy practitioners.
FRDC also intended the webinar to inform the ongoing review of national guidelines for developing harvest strategies. This review aims to ensure these strategies align with best practices and address evolving challenges. The webinar identified three key themes: technical approaches, stakeholder engagement, and policy development. Future research needs include addressing multi-sector fisheries, spatial management, and climate impacts. The overall conclusion emphasizes a collaborative, data-driven approach that incorporates diverse stakeholder voices for effective fisheries management.
Project products
Engagement for Success: evaluation of engagement events to inform industry management strategies
Commercial fisheries and aquaculture activities with insufficient levels of social support can negatively affect industry member well-being and contribute to restricted resource access. More & appropriate engagement is needed to improve stakeholder and community trust & support, both with those affected by industry activity, and with those who affect industry activity (i.e. decision-makers and influencers).
This project addresses the need to ensure that the range of engagement activities and strategies undertaken by organisations and operators within fisheries and aquaculture are effective at:
- building relationships and trustworthiness;
- understanding concerns and needs arising from industry activity; and
- influencing preferences and decisions.
Limited evaluation has been undertaken regarding the effectiveness of engagement strategies and activities in meeting predefined goals. Similarly, limited opportunities exist to transfer knowledge between industry organisations of successful and future engagement practice; or to support improved return on investment of engagement strategies.
The NSW Fishing Industry has a need to improve relationships and trustworthiness with key stakeholders, and to achieve specific outcomes for PFA members, which include; improve social license by industry taking the lead on its own imagery, and an increase in the consumption and variety of NSW seafood.
In addition, there is limited feedback on whether communication strategies about to embark on will be effective at achieving the PFA’s desired outcomes, and there is information to help develop long term engagement strategies and direct limited resources to the most effective activities.
Therefore, there is a need to select a range of community engagement strategies and activities, and evaluate these against predefined goals. Engagement successes need to be extended to other industry organisations,
and if appropriate, decision support materials to be developed to extend knowledge adoption of the findings and materials.