FRDC Update
2024 at FRDC
61 new projects, 20+ sponsored events - plus so much more. FRDC has created a video highlighting some of the remarkable investments and outputs from the 2024 Calendar Year. You can watch the video on our YouTube.
FRDC Annual Report 2023/24
Each financial year FRDC produces an annual report which outlines how we deliver impact for our stakeholders. Have a look, the full report is available on our website here, it’s got some excellent information.
Some highlights from the 2023/24 year included:
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FRDC invested $42.88 million during the year
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115 new RD&E investments were commenced
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FRDC had 462 active and 86 completed RD&E investments at the end of June 2024.
FRDC Stakeholder Workshop
The FRDC Stakeholder Workshop was held in Glenelg 22-23 October with our internal stakeholder partners – they are FRDC funded groups, committees and programs such as our Research Advisory Committees, Industry Partnership Agreements, foundational programs and services. The purpose was to discuss how we can work better together to address shared priorities to create impact:
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Exchange information, create connection and enable collaboration so FRDC can best invest to achieve impact against your priorities.
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Updates from FRDC and demonstrate progress made towards key outcomes under the current FRDC R&D Plan 2020-25.
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Update on how fisheries and aquaculture needs have been captured in the FRDC RD&E Plan 2025-30
In total, 35 partners joined the FRDC team. Feedback was overwhelming positive from attendees who appreciated the overview of FRDC performance, engagement with FRDC staff, presentations from partners including innovation opportunities from Marine Bioproducts CRC, an update from the Blue Economy CRC on the FRDC Futures project and offshore aquaculture, innovation partnerships from Wine Australia and some well-being exercises with Stay Afloat.
The workshop provided partners an opportunity to identify collaboration opportunities including across FRDC supported programs, provide feedback on what’s working well and what can be improved, as well as having all their questions answered. Previous workshop reports can be found here.
Update on FRDC’s Research Development & Extension (RD&E) Plan 2025-30
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The draft FRDC RD&E Plan 2025-2030 was developed over the last 18 months with input received from staff, representative organisations, RAC’s, IPA’s and other FRDC Stakeholders.
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The draft RD&E plan ensures that it provides a mechanism for delivery of key fisheries and aquaculture strategic planning and context documents (internal, IPA/RAC strategic plans; external, e.g. National Fisheries Plan, Fish Forever 2030, Ag 2050 Scenarios report).
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A series of ten online workshops with RACs, IPAs, and Coordinating Programs took place throughout September and October to test and refine the draft Plan structure, and to understand and incorporate trends, drivers and key themes.
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An in-person Stakeholder Workshop in October tested the full draft with stakeholders and final feedback was collected
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The RD&E Plan was approved for submission to the Minister, at the November 2024 FRDC Board meeting.
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Once Ministerial approval has occurred, FRDC will publicise the RD&E Plan 2025-30 to relevant stakeholders prior to the 2025-26 Financial Year.
Update on FRDC Call for Investment Opportunities
December Call for Investment Opportunities
On 3 December 2024, FRDC published its latest Call for Investment Opportunities via a direct email to researchers and publishing the specific priority details on our website. A summary of the priorities is outlined below, and further details can be found here.
- Close-kin mark recapture design study to detect Swordfish stock structure
- Data and modelling to better understand environmental and fishery impacts on Southern Calamari stocks in Tasmania to support management decisions
- Assessing the functional link between Giant Crab and the bryozoan habitat to understand productivity shifts
- Assessment of regional population dynamics of Southern Garfish (Hyporhamphus melanochir) to inform stock status and spatial management in Tasmania
- Economic analysis of removing pot restrictions in Southern Rock Lobster Fisheries whilst ensuring stock sustainability
- Identifying recreational fishing capability and capacity needs
- Stewardship in recreational fishing: a common reference point and roadmap
- Is co-management working for the recreational fishing sector? Benchmarking co-management performance for recreational fisheries
- Update of national aquaculture ESD assessment frameworks
- Minor use permit for Benzalkonium Chloride (BKC) for algae control in prawn ponds
Applications that demonstrate clear adoption pathways with identified end-users and relevant stakeholders as well as consideration of previous relevant R&D, and alignment with FRDC's R&D Plan are preferred. Applications must be submitted via our FishNet Portal by the due date nominated/outlined in the priority.
Milestone Submission
As the holiday season approaches, don't forget to wrap up your project reporting and send them our way! Please remember to submit them through the FishNet Portal.
If you think there is an opportunity, progress reports may be presented to end-users and relevant stakeholders so they can have a better understanding of the project and its outputs and provide possible inputs into how to improve the extension and adoption of the R&D.
This might include value adding to planned project workshops etc. where project updates are being provided already.
The process currently involves the researcher providing a presentation on the project based on a PowerPoint template that outlines the project objectives, progress against those objectives, outputs achieved to date, any challenges to the projects’ execution, and any changes that may be required.
Contact your relevant FRDC portfolio manager, Extension Officer or the FRDC Programs inbox to discuss this opportunity.
FRDC PI Pack
FRDC is committed to supporting our research partners and providing you what you need. We’ve created a useful page including all of the communication resources – guides and tools you might need, to help you maximise the impact of your research.
Researchers should note that when a project is approved, the Principal Investigator will receive a Decision Notification Letter that also now outlines the requirement for a Communications Plan to be developed for your project. This plan will be required in the early stages of the project and guidance and templates for communications planning is available on the webpage linked above. The FRDC Communication team will review and provide direction on these communication plans.
For projects already underway, please be reminded that all external communications activities should be approved by FRDC Communications, before the activity proceeds.
If you have any feedback or suggestions on what else to include, on the communications resources webpage or you’d like support with your project extension and communication planning, reach out to the FRDC Stakeholder Engagement team at comms@frdc.com.au.
Project publications
FRDC recognises that the peer-reviewed publication process is an important way to communicate and extend R&D outputs from our projects to the broader, international science community. It also provides a valuable mechanism to independently review research.
Please don’t forget there is a requirement to keep FRDC informed if you seek to publish articles on your FRDC projects. This will also help the Stakeholder Engagement team promote your published research outputs – increasing your reach!
Project Updates
Futures of Seafood
Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) and Blue Economy CRC recently held an insightful webinar to update stakeholders on the progress of the Futures of Seafood Study.
Launched this time last year, the study is focused on delivering an industry-informed program of work to support a secure, resilient, and thriving Australian seafood community. This includes reinforcing the commitment of seafood stakeholders to fair and equitable access to resources, industry-led research and innovation, and trusted stewardship of our coasts and oceans.
The Futures of Seafood project is designed to foster a deeper understanding of the seafood industry, ensuring it is deeply valued by all. Through a foundation of enduring data collection and management, an inclusive schedule of stakeholder engagement activities, and a strong outreach program, we are working together to achieve these goals. This effort will be overseen and supported by a robust governance framework, including expert commissions and regular updates on progress.
Recreational Fishing Coordination Program R&D Strategic Framework released
The Recreational Fishing Coordination Program released in October 2024, developed a new strategic planning framework to help guide the prioritisation of national recreational fishing R&D priorities. The framework illustrates the groups collective strategic vision, six long-term goals and the finer scale pathways to reach them. These goals include progress to co-management and adaptive management frameworks, improving physical and regulatory access to fisheries, building capability and capacity, improving habitat, resilient fish stocks and building social license. The group is now in the process of developing a communication and extension plan to promote the strategic frame among research providers, fisheries stakeholders and the broader community. Find out more information here.
Centrostephanus Workshop Update
The second National Centrostephanus Workshop held in Melbourne last month, provided a forum for stakeholders from Victoria, NSW, Tasmania, and New Zealand to come together to discuss issues and solutions address with the climate induced range extension of Longspined Sea Urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii). The workshop focused on two actions areas of the Centro Business Plan – specifically in-water Centro control and rehabilitation strategies as well as supporting harvesting and processing.
The Centro Business Plan provides a recommendation for Federal funding of four key action areas to tackle Centro across its range. Given Federal funding is still pending, the workshop emphasised solutions that could and were already being implemented with existing resourcing – including the outputs from multiple FRDC funded activities.
The two-day workshop discussed approaches to scale up local solutions (i.e. for enhancing markets and value adding urchin waste) while respecting the diverse aspirations of stakeholders from the three states. Workshop outcomes will contribute to improved cross-jurisdictional Centro control coordination.
The workshop was supported through FRDC project 2024-027 and preceding earlier Centro workshops.
Significant News
Southern Bluefin Tuna Delisted
The Honourable Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water, recently announced the removal of Southern Bluefin Tuna from the EPBC Act's conservation-dependent species list. This is the first marine species to be delisted.
The recovery of global Southern Bluefin Tuna stocks, following years of strict conservation measures after first being listed as threatened under national environment law in 2010, is a testament to successful resource management – and hailed as a significant victory for Australia’s seafood industry.
FRDC acknowledges the leadership of the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association (ASBTIA) who through their Industry Partnership Agreement have invested in a considerable body of R&D that supports this recovery.
National Statement on Animal Welfare
All Agriculture Ministers have endorsed the National Statement on Animal Welfare, which has been published on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website. This is a renewal of the previous Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS). See FRDC’s Animal Welfare web page for information on what FRDC and its partners are doing in this space.
Appointment of Members to the Indigenous Reference Group
At the inaugural Sea Country Conference in Darwin, the nine newly appointed members to the Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) were announced:
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Ashley Perez
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Frank Procter
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Dennis Ah-Kee
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Delahay Miller
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Bryan Denny
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Shane Holland
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Stephan Schnierer
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Cass Hunter
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Craig Aspinall
Co-ordinated by Stan Lui, IRG Executive Officer, the announcement of the new IRG marks a significant step towards the continued development of inclusive, sustainable, and culturally informed research and management in Australia's fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The IRG plays a pivotal role in ensuring that First Nations perspectives are integral to FRDC's research agenda. The IRG provides strategic advice, advocacy, and guidance on matters related to Indigenous fisheries, aquaculture and sea country management, ensuring alignment with the aspirations, values, and knowledge systems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The new cohort brings together a diverse group of Indigenous leaders, traditional owners, and professionals who are deeply connected to their Sea Country and have a wealth of experience in fisheries management, policy development, and cultural practices. Their appointment strengthens FRDC’s commitment to embedding Indigenous knowledge and perspectives in all aspects of fisheries research, development and extension.
Marine Climate Briefings for 2024/25
FRDC are hosting another season of the Marine Climate Briefings in collaboration with CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology who provide the latest science and information about the summer warming of marine waters around Australia.
The purpose of these Briefings is to give marine users time to adapt their fishing/aquaculture or other activity to mitigate the impacts of marine warming. Given the strong interest from the 2023/24 Briefings, the audience is being expanded to marine users in general as well as fishing and aquaculture.
The first Marine Climate Briefing was held 1 November 2024. Future Briefings are planned for the following dates at 2pm AEST on: 31 January 2025; 14 March 2025; and 2 May 2025. The recent Marine Climate Briefing can be accessed through FRDC’s Youtube channel, here.
FRDC’s 2025 Nuffield Scholars
FRDC is excited to be sponsoring two Nuffield scholars in 2025:
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Tarun Richards from Darwin. Co-supported by ANZ, Tarun will study ways for farmers to share the costs and benefits of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting with the supply chain and Indigenous communities.
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Paul Evans from Streaky Bay in SA. Paul will study whether a consistent supply of higher quality oysters can be achieved by combining farming methods and technologies.
Connor Wass from Kingston, Tasmania, is being supported by Public Sector Pension Investment Board PSP Investments, to study the roadblocks that may exist for smaller aquaculture businesses to invest in technology and help develop a digital technology roadmap.
FRDC 2023 sponsored Nuffield scholar Joana Ferreira Mendes (Tasmania) presented her insights on a global perspective on salmon aquaculture (climate change and social license).
FRDC 2024 sponsored Nuffield scholar Tom Cosentino (SA) is examining policies and practices to identify strategies for supporting new generations into food and fibre production.
Global Nature Positive Summit and Ocean Dialogues
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) hosted this First Nations led event to provide updates on progress toward establishment of nature positive economies and collective action to drive investment in nature. Presenters and panellists highlighted the relationship between thriving ecosystems and profitable businesses and pointed out the need to develop impactful implementation resources such as safe and interoperable databases, clear and consistent metrics and financial products. Additionally, four Australian Government commitments were announced:
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the launch of Nature Positive Matters, an initiative to support a network of businesses and organisations driving change in the corporate sector to embed nature in economic decision making
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an increase in the number of Australian companies (23) committing to report on their nature risks and impacts in alignment with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD)
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participation in the Global Ghost Gear Initiative and $1.4 million investment to reduce the amount of abandoned fishing gear in the Arafura and Timor Seas
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a 310,000 km2 expansion of the Heard and McDonald Islands marine reserve.
Following the Nature Positive Summit, DCCEEW hosted the Ocean Dialogues to introduce the draft Sustainable Ocean Plan to marine-focussed stakeholders including researchers, NGOs, regulators, Traditional Owners and RDCs. Importantly, the draft plan highlights the strong interconnectivity between both terrestrial and marine uses with sustainability outcomes. Additionally, delivery of the Plan is intended to be coordinated and undertaken by all marine sustainability stakeholders.
Seafood Statistics Handbook Launch
Seafood Industry Australia launched the Australian Seafood Statistics Handbook on 23 October. You can view the launch webinar here. The Handbook was funded by the Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation.
The Seafood Statistics Handbook provides a valuable resource capturing Australian seafood production, international trade, and domestic market data for 35 wild caught and aquaculture species. The Handbook covers a two-year period ending 30 June 2023, providing data comparisons and trends.
FRDC provides other complementary Trade and Market Access resource to assist you navigate trade dynamics and market access in the Australian fisheries and aquaculture sector.
FRDC Submission to 2024 Review of Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity
FRDC has provided a submission to the 2024 review of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB). IGAB is an agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia, and state and territory governments to strengthen the national biosecurity system through establishing nationally agreed approaches to prevent, prepare for, detect, and mitigate biosecurity risks, and respond to, manage, and recover from biosecurity incidents should they occur.
The FRDC submission provided background and advice relating to the biosecurity needs of aquatic industries, and specific advice related to the scope of the review.
The link to FRDC’s submission will be made available once we have permission from DAFF on https://www.frdc.com.au/submissions.
Upcoming Key Conferences
evokeAG 2025 – 18-19 February 2025
Asia Pacific's premier agrifood tech and innovation event. A vibrant, hands-on experience, sparking collaboration and fuelling the kind of critical thinking that leads to action. Attendees can expect real world insights, transformative ideas and seamless networking opportunities that make a difference. Purchase tickets here.
2nd Australian & New Zealand Environmental DNA Conference - 18-21 February 2025
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis uses the power of DNA sequences to offer a rapid, universal and cost-effective way to measure biodiversity, detect pests, and much more. Not only is eDNA science a fast-moving and innovative field, but increasingly, government agencies and industry are adopting it to support environmental management. eDNA is changing the face of biological measurement, and now is a pivotal time to engage deeply with the community. Whether you are a practitioner, end-user of environmental information, manager, or policymaker, we hope you will join us to discuss the latest innovations, identify best practice, meet with collaborators, and build networks. An early registration discounted fee will be offered and will be available until Friday 6th December 2024. Register here.
Seagriculture Asia- Pacific 2025 - 18-20 March 2025
Seagriculture Asia-Pacific 2025 gathers top speakers, who will share their know-how within seaweed for feed, food, offshore cultivation, biorefinery of seaweed, and much more. Early Bird Rates will expire 31 December 2024. Register here.
FRDC News, Social Media & Events
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Upcoming Events 2024
Check out FRDC's updated events webpage for all upcoming events in one convenient location.
Season's Greetings to FRDC's friends and colleagues
New projects contracted from 1 August 2024
Project Number |
Title |
Applicant |
Principal Investigator |
Setting the Strategic Direction for the ABFA 2025-2030 |
Australian Barramundi Farmers Association |
Jo-Anne Ruscoe |
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Centro Workshop - Actions and management outcomes for Longspined Sea Urchin |
Victorian Fisheries Authority |
Candice Harwood | |
2024-017 |
Governance capacity uplift for the Tasmanian Seafood Industry | Seafood Industry Tasmania | Julian Harrington |
2024-005 |
External review of independent data validation options, uses and opportunities |
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies | Genevieve Phillips |
2023-205 |
Role of marine reserves in sustainable management of Australia's ocean estate - review of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands bioregion |
TJB Management | Travis Baulch |
2023-199 |
Gulf of Carpentaria King Threadfin (Polydactylus macrochir) - addressing the knowledge gaps to support assessment, management and sustainable harvest |
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QLD) | Julie Robins |
2023-198 |
First Nations Leadership Capacity Building and Macroalgae Research Trip to the 9th Asian Pacific Phycological Forum (APPF 2024) in Hokkaido, Japan | Moonrise Seaweed | Brad Darkson |
2023-194 |
Establish an on-line portal where Australian seaweed industry members can find contact details and useful associated information to facilitate state and federal government permitting of seaweed related activities |
Honey and Fox | Jayne Gallagher |
2023-188 |
Evaluate and optimise cost and energy effective solutions for lighting, carbon delivery and mixing in intensive commercial scale tetrasporophyte production of Asparagopsis |
Flinders University |
Sasi Nayar |
2023-176 |
Investigating drivers of environmental change in Pipe Clay Lagoon | Marine Solutions Tasmania | Carryn Manicom |
2023-173 |
Science to support Australia's Southern Oceans Fisheries 2024-2028 | Australian Antarctic Division | Philippe Ziegler |
2023-159 |
Consultation pathways for Australian fishing and seafood industry focused RD&E to deliver improved economic, environmental and social benefits to Australia’s Indigenous people through the Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) and Indigenous RD&E program support |
Five Cubed Environmental Indigenous Consultants | Stan Lui |
2023-154 |
Fish LIGHT - Low impact gears and innovative harvest technologies |
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QLD) |
Samuel Williams |
2023-150 |
Normalising voluntary catch reporting on QLD Fishing 2.0 app | Currie Communications | Susan McNair |
2023-141 |
Voluntary behaviour change in recreational fisheries to support sustainability and amenity |
The University of Western Australia | Matthew Navarro |
Capability and Capacity: Navigating leadership pathways in fishing and aquaculture |
CQUniversity | Nicole McDonald | |
2023-131 |
Capability and Capacity: Understanding diverse learning approaches and knowledge transfer opportunities to inform and enable change |
CQUniversity | Nicole McDonald |
2023-126 |
Environment Social Governance (ESG) framework plan for fisheries and aquaculture |
ERM Australia Consultants | Amy White |
2023-124 |
Establishing a national end of life fishing/aquaculture gear recovery system for Australia |
TierraMar (Ocean Earth Foundation) | Anissa Lawrence |
2023-117 |
2024 Fishing & Farming for the Future - DAF Hermitage Research Facility Schools Plant Science Competition |
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QLD) | Kerrie Rubie |
2023-108 |
Citizen science guidelines in recreational fishing | Sativus |
Bridie Schultz |
2023-052 |
Novel fishery independent, biological and economic-processing methods to underpin expansion of Australia's fastest growing fishery, the Western Rock Octopus |
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA) |
Lachlan Strain |
Final Reports achieved since 1 August 2024
Project Number |
Title |
Applicant |
Principal Investigator |
Examining the relationship between fishery recruitment, essential benthic habitats and environmental drivers in Exmouth Gulf |
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA) |
Scott Evans |
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Storm Bay research program management, governance and extension |
Mi-Fish Consulting |
Heidi Mumme |
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2019-016 |
Estimating the biomass of fish stocks using novel and efficient genetic techniques |
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW) |
Meaghan Duncan |
2019-021 |
Integrating recreational fishing information into harvest strategies for multi-sector fisheries |
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW) | Ashley Fowler |
2019-027 |
Improving and promoting fish-trawl selectivity in the Commonwealth Trawl Sector (CTS) and Great Australian Bight Trawl Sector (GABTS) of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW) | Matt Broadhurst |
2019-036 |
Implementation of dynamic reference points and harvest strategies to account for environmentally driven changes in productivity in Australian fisheries | Pisces Australis |
Andrew Penney |
2020-056 |
Evaluation of a smart-phone application to collect recreational fishing catch estimates, including an assessment against an independent probability-based survey, using South Australia as a case study | University of Adelaide | Crystal Beckmann |
2020-094 |
Improving the availability of safe and effective veterinary medicines for Australia's seafood industry | University of Adelaide | Matthew Bansemer |
2020-095 |
Science to support Australia’s Southern Ocean Fisheries 2021-2023 | University of Tasmania | Philippe Ziegler |
2021-049 |
Developing and testing a cultural change process in the NSW wild harvest sector: a case study to facilitate a process towards co-management in the NSW Northern Fish Trawl | Strategic Journeys | Gary Saliba |
2021-119 |
Improving bycatch reduction strategies and escape vents in Queensland Mud Crab fisheries | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QLD) | Julie Robins |
2022-019 |
Removal of microalgae and total nitrogen in effluent water from prawn farms using electrocoagulation (EC) water treatment technology | Nautilus Collaboration |
Christine Huynh |
2022-057 |
Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | Salindra Rasmy |
Agri-Climate Outlooks |
Agricultural Innovation Australia | Ben Baghurst | |
2022-084 |
CITES 19th Conference of Parties, Panama City, Panama - Chauncey Hammond | 3 Sticks | Chauncey Hammond |
2022-094 |
Embedding impact pathway thinking into the identification and prioritisation of RD&E needs and investments for FRDC | DM Stafford Smith | Mark Stafford Smith |
2022-174 |
Clarence River Green Prawn Market Diversification Assistance Measures | Honey and Fox | Jayne Gallagher |
2022-193 |
FRDC 2016-068 Vulnerability of the endangered Maugean skate population to degraded environmental conditions in Macquarie Harbour- presentation to the 6th international conference of fish telemetry 2023 | Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies | David Moreno |
2022-209 |
Digital Campaign: Innovation, sustainability, labour retention in Western Australian inshore fisheries - National video stories investment | Anvil Media | Darryl Anderson |
2023-005 |
Research to support the development of a Tasmanian Sardine Fishery | University of Tasmania | Timothy Ward |
2023-026 |
Biosecurity threats and vulnerabilities of the Southern Rock Lobster Fishery | AusVet | Brendan Cowled |
2023-082 |
Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics 2022 | ABARES | Robert Curtotti |
2023-105 |
2024 World Fisheries Conference bursary (Seattle, USA) | Western Australian Fishing Industry Council | Marshall Thompson |
2023-198 |
First Nations Leadership Capacity Building and Macroalgae Research Trip to the 9th Asian Pacific Phycological Forum (APPF 2024) in Hokkaido, Japan. | Moonrise Seaweed | Brad Darkson |
2023-200 |
Community Sentiment Survey | Intuitive Solutions | Michael Sparks |