Stakeholders

FRDC works with a diverse and geographically-dispersed group of stake holders and the four main sectors of fishing and aquaculture (aquaculture, commercial fishing, Indigenous fishing and recreational fishing) whom are not mutually exclusive. For example, Indigenous Fishers may participate in customary fishing, conduct aquaculture and commercial fishing as well as fish recreationally.

FRDC’s stakeholders and partners include:

• Federal, state and territory governments, including fisheries and natural resources managers
• All aspects of fishing and aquaculture
• The Australian community, on whose behalf aquatic natural resources are managed
• Seafood consumers
• The research community, including universities, government fisheries organisations, further education organisations (e.g. TAFE), international research organisations and private research providers.

 

Representative Organisations

Four ministerially-declared representative organisations to which the FRDC is accountable under legislation:

1. Seafood Industry Australia (representing the seafood industry at a national level)
2. Australian Recreational and Sport Fishing Industry Confederation Inc. trading as Recfish Australia (representing recreational and sport fishers)
3. Commonwealth Fisheries Association (representing commercial fishers who operate in Commonwealth fisheries)
4. National Aquaculture Council (representing the aquaculture industry)

FRDC also regularly engages with key forums related to fishing and aquaculture or the environment in which it operates:

• The Governance Committee that supports the National Fishing and Aquaculture RD&E Strategy and the National Research Providers Network which represents fishery and aquaculture researchers (FRDC is a member of both groups)
• National Marine Science Committee
• The Australian Fisheries Management Forum, representing government agencies responsible for fisheries management (FRDC is an observer)
• The FRDC subprograms and coordination programs.

 

Advisory Groups

The FRDC works with its stakeholders to achieve the requirements of their RD&E plan through Advisory Groups (Partnerships). These advisory groups can be at the jurisdiction level (Research Advisory Committees - RACs) or sector level (Industry Partnership Agreements - IPAs), and provide key information to the FRDC on the prioritisation and assessment of research. Additionally, the FRDC has developed a number of Subprograms to provide a higher level of coordination, integration and communication for areas of national significance. Information on each can be found on their pages underneath the Partners page.

Meetings

Each year the FRDC holds a number of meetings with stakeholders. These can be as part of Board meetings, the work of advisory groups, or workshops on key key issues. As part of the FRDC R&D Plan, the FRDC aims to undertake and utilise new ways of meeting and engaging with stakeholders. Details are available on the meetings page and on the calendar of events. To keep up to date when meetings are being run, register on the subscribe page.