This project is essential for the continued function and improvement of a cohesive R&D approach aimed at meeting the priority needs of the SBT Aquaculture Industry. The industry had developed rapidly post its initiation in 1991 and has the opportunity to continue to do so beyond 2020. However, targeted R&D is needed to underpin this development and to assure the long-term sustainability of the industry in an increasingly competitive international market. This project is required for the continuation and further development of research in the SBT aquaculture industry, to set and meet objectives, as well as ensuring appropriate inputs and outcomes are delivered to FRDC.
The SBT Research Program is needed to:
- provide the opportunity for an ongoing management structure to oversee active research projects and ensure desired outcomes are achieved;
- set research priorities and develop projects to match priorities;
- minimise the level of research duplication;
- provide a focus for developing SBT aquaculture related research infrastructure;
- provide focused strategy for disseminating research results to industry and other stakeholders;
- address industry priorities and gaps by establishing a mechanism to empower industry's involvement in their research;
- maintain frameworks to ensure that SBT aquaculture research is orderly, targeted and value for money;
- facilitate leadership and training for industry workforce;
- support industry participation in conferences, congresses and forums to enhance industry knowledge of relevant subjects, address threats to industry, expand affiliations with external sectors and increase research networks;
- build cross sectorial relationships within seafood industries , research institutions and the media;
- identify new pathways relevant to future research and the continuing success of the program; and
- provide a mechanism for obtaining feedback for continuous program improvement.

This project is needed as there are knowledge gaps about the effect of recreational fishing on the health and wellbeing of recreational fishers. Recent years have seen many claims about the health and wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing, as well as growing interest in nature connection and outdoor recreation as wellbeing interventions more generally. Measuring and valuing the wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing is not currently possible due to a lack of evidence, and limited methods for monitoring, measuring and reporting wellbeing effects. The FRDC’s RD&E Plan 2015-20 aims by 2020 to have robust community net benefit metrics that enable measurement of the benefits of fishing. This project will develop robust metrics related to health and wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing. Achieving this requires better understanding both (i) whether and under what circumstances engaging in recreational fishing has measurable impacts on health and wellbeing, and (ii) how to measure these benefits to produce readily accessible and understandable metrics. This will help achieve the FRDC’s national research strategy deliverable ‘Social contribution is supported by the fishing and aquaculture sector so it can capture the non-monetary value of activities across sectors.’ This work will also contribute to national science and research priorities in the health field, specifically the priority ‘Build healthy and resilient communities throughout Australia by developing … preventative strategies to improve physical and mental well-being’ (http://www.science.gov.au/scienceGov/ScienceAndResearchPriorities/Pages/Health.aspx). Nationally, this research priority aims to develop strategies for supporting wellbeing. This project contributes by identifying the role recreational fishing can play in building healthy and resilient communities through supporting physical and mental wellbeing. This research will also contribute to the overarching aims of Australia’s rural research, development and extension strategy, which include ‘develop a range of technologies and knowledge to contribute to healthy Australian lifestyles’ (http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/ag-food/innovation2/nsrrdip-investment-plan1.pdf)