Our aquatic resources are recognised globally for their diversity and quality. The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) has an important role in providing robust research and innovation to support the needs of our fishing and aquaculture sectors and benefit the community. 

The FRDC Research, Development and Extension Plan (RD&E Plan 2025-30) addresses the complex and changing environment fishing and aquaculture operates in, and demonstrates how FRDC will deliver quality research to underpin evidence-based decision making. The Plan resulted from extensive consultation with fishing and aquaculture, government and research stakeholders. We heard the need for continuity of stakeholder driven themes from the previous FRDC R&D Plan 2020-25, to deliver decadal-scale impact by addressing trends and drivers aligned to key ‘2030 visioned’ frameworks such as the National Fisheries Plan.
 

"FRDC invests in people and innovation to ensure healthy aquatic environments for thriving fishing and aquaculture."

Themes

To deliver the RD&E Plan 2025-30, FRDC will leverage collaborative partnerships with stakeholders, government and research partners, employ innovative investment models and measure progress to ensure transparency and accountability.

Shaping the Plan

More than three hundred individuals contributed through stakeholder workshops, focus groups and interviews offering valuable insights into trends, drivers, key themes and the current state of the sectors.

An independent review highlighted positive changes implemented during the FRDC R&D Plan 2020-25, including new business units for capacity, extension and adoption and novel investment approaches to address complex national challenges.

The result is a Plan that ensures continuity of stakeholder driven themes and aims to achieve decadal-scale impact by addressing key trends and drivers.

View the Plan

Research and knowledge underpinning the R&D Plan

Our R&D Plan 2025-30 was developed alongside the aquaculture, commercial wildcatch, Indigenous, recreational and post-harvest sectors long-term (10-year) shared vision for fishing and aquaculture in Australia, entitled Fish Forever 2030. This shared 2030 vision offers a solid foundation for actions by all sectors to address shared strategic national challenges through combined efforts. FRDC supports these efforts through investment in R&D, enabling synchronised, collaborative actions aimed at creating a positive future for fishing and aquaculture.

Additional analysis was undertaken to ensure priorities are related to the National Marine Science Plan, the National Fisheries Plan, the Sustainable Ocean Plan and the National Aquaculture Strategy.