Project number: 2018-117
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $118,802.00
Principal Investigator: Matt H. Taylor
Organisation: Western Rock Lobster Council Inc (WRLC)
Project start/end date: 2 Sep 2018 - 30 May 2019
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Western Rock Lobster

Need

WRL commissioned a concept study to examine the strategic case for the Institute. The study also provided a detailed assessment of the State Government’s current return on investment from the financial contributions made via the resource.

WRL has engaged with many stakeholders, ranging from its members, fishers and processors to other Australian Spiny Lobster associations as well as State and Federal Government. The institute concept study report has been well received by members and stakeholders who have been positive about the concept and interested in receiving further information. There is general consensus that the institute be a WA based institute for spiny lobster research and focussed only on western rock lobster. The institute can then consider and work towards submitting a SRC bid to join with UTAS and SARDI to formalise national research with other entities. The institute can by provide a mechanism to collaborate on a project by project basis with other organisations such as Southern Rock Lobster (SRL) which SRL are supportive of.

Overall, and based on extensive consultation, there is general support for WRL moving to the next stage of documentation including a comprehensive business plan.

In order to present a ‘bankable’ case for the proposed Wa based Institute for Spiny (Rock) Lobster Research (‘Proposed Institute’), a business plan including the following key studies are required:
• Research Priorities Plan
• Business Case
• Governance Framework
• Investment Proposal

All are necessary to underpin optimal likelihood of successful establishment of the Proposed Institute and its sustainable operation.

Objectives

1. To produce a comprehensive stakeholder-driven Research Priorities Plan which guides the activities and structure of the Proposed Institute and articulates the value it will deliver to stakeholders.
2. To produce a detailed Business Case which determines the organisational structure and business plan that will give effect to the Research Priorities Plan
3. To produce a detailed and appropriate Governance Framework which is optimised with respect to the governance context and gives effect to well understood principles of good governance
4. To produce several variants of an Investment Proposal which reflects the requirements of different potential ‘investors’.

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-6488948-3-4
Author: Matt Taylor
Final Report • 2023-02-01 • 257.61 KB
2018-117-DLD.pdf

Summary

The project commenced in November 2020, when the Western Rock Lobster Council (WRL) engaged Australian Venture Consultants (AVC) to examine the strategic case for a research network and prepare a business case for a proposed Western Rock Lobster Research Network.
WRL engaged with many stakeholders, ranging from its members (commercial rock lobster fishers and processors) to other Australian Spiny Lobster associations as well as State and Federal Government stakeholders. Initial discussions focused on whether a national network could be established, but through negotiations and further assessments a Western Rock Lobster network emerged as the preferred option, with linkages to other lobster-producing jurisdictions. 
The proposal has since acknowledged that the concept could, after being in existence for several years, be transformed into a national research network focused on all Australia’s wild catch lobsters. The Network could then consider and work towards formalising national research with other entities. The Network can provide a mechanism to collaborate on a project-by-project basis with other organisations such as Southern Rock Lobster (SRL) which SRL are supportive of.

Related research

All research
research
Industry
Adoption
PROJECT NUMBER • 2022-063
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT

WRL Communication, Education and Engagement Program

1. Strengthen industry members' engagement: Increase the full participation by internal stakeholders in Council activities, to best enable the Council to represent the industry to government and other stakeholders. This includes industry engagement and communication of WRL IPA activities and R&D...
ORGANISATION:
Western Rock Lobster Council Inc (WRLC)
Communities