This Project is essential for the development of a cohesive research and development approach aimed at meeting the priority needs of the SBT Aquaculture Industry. The industry has developed rapidly since its initiation in 1990 and has the opportunity to continue to do so; however targeted research and development is needed to underpin this development and to assure the long-term sustainability of the industry in an increasingly competitive international market.
This project provides the basis for the SBT Aquaculture Subprogram (and Aquafin CRC Production and Value Adding Programs that the Subprogram Leader also leads). The Subprogram includes a management structure to oversee the active research projects and ensure they achieve the desired outcomes; provides a focused strategy for disseminating research results to industry and obtaining feedback; and setting research priorities. This project ensures that the minimum level of duplication occurs in the provision of research services; provide a focus for SBT aquaculture research and sucessional planning of key persons; addresses industry priorities by establishing a mechanism to empower industry's involvement in their research; establishes a framework to ensure that SBT aquaculture research is orderly and targeted; and disseminates, where appropriate, research information to stakeholders.
Opportunities also exist for the development of further research proposals targeted at other research and development funding agencies (eg. AusIndustry). For instance, the Program Leader has recently worked with David Ellis, TBOASA, and two tuna farming companies to submit AusIndustry Start Graduate Grant Applications. These, if successful, will facilitate the active involvement of two of the small companies interested in applying the Aquafin CRC research outcomes in a commercial setting and undertaking in-house research activities.
This project provides a mechanism for identifying priorities, quality research providers and opportunities, as well as coordinating and facilitating grant applications. This project provides the resources to ensure that the projects within its portfolio achieve the desired outcomes. This responsibility represents, over 4 years, an investment of $525,344 towards the overall management of approximately $8.5 million research and development, which is the Aquafin CRC-FRDC funding commitment to SBT aquaculture research over this time period.
Final report
This project implemented the agreed Strategic R&D Plan for the SBT aquaculture industry for the period of 2004-2008 and in doing this provided the key linkage with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and the Aquafin CRC.
It provided an administrative framework and processes that:
• engaged stakeholders, specifically the SBT aquaculture industry and the State managers responsible for its development and regulation, in the process of identifying and prioritising research needs and monitoring the projects designed to meet those needs;
• enabled research groups to shape their programs to the needs of industry, government and other stakeholders;
• maximised and coordinated the use of the limited research infrastructure available;
• led to the development of additional research infrastructure, equipment and people capability; and
• maximised the transfer of useful information from research projects to endusers.
As a consequence, all the projects undertaken within the SBT Aquaculture Subprogram research portfolio were directed at outcomes strongly supported by endusers. The projects all involved a high level of active collaboration between researchers and with the SBT industry, and adoption of the successful research outcomes was rapid. As measured by the Aquafin CRC, the impact of a wide range of research outcomes has already been substantial.
Keywords: Southern bluefin tuna, Aquaculture, SBT Aquaculture Subprogram, South Australia, Aquafin CRC, and FRDC.
