Contents
Download a PDF version of the Stakeholder Briefing March 2019
The November open call round closed on 15 February. There were 45 applications received in the open call which are now being considered by the RACs, IPAs and Subprograms for comments and funding support. The first of these applications are likely to go before the FRDC Board in their April/June meetings.
If there are priority areas of research from stakeholder groups then there will be another open call announced in April/May. If required, the call for applications will be advertised through the usual FRDC channels and posted on the FRDC website (http://frdc.com.au/Research/Call-for-applications).
As part of the application evaluation process by the RACs, IPAs and Subprograms, these committees (and FRDC Management) may request that proponents submit revised Full Applications to providing greater detail and/or addressing specific comments as defined in a decision notification letter provided by FRDC. It is highly recommended that all proponents provide itemised response letters to the comments provided with the finalised application to aid the evaluating committees.
All finalised Full Applications for funding to the FRDC must come through the FRDCs funding application portal FishNet (www.fishnet.gov.au).
FRDC independent review of RAC and IPAs
The recent independent performance review of the FRDC made a number of recommendations to the FRDC (see section below). Two of these recommendations have initiated the review of the RACs and IPAs:
It has been over a decade that the FRDC has been entering into agreements with different stakeholder groups to help in the prioritisation and funding of research for fishing and aquaculture. To ensure continued relevance of these structures in helping inform the best use of FRDC funds the FRDC is seeking a comprehensive and independent review of the current partnership model with a view to identifying:
The review will provide recommendations as to how the FRDC might better partner with stakeholders in the future. This might include providing alternate partnership model(s) as informed by better practices used by other Research Development Corporations. The review will also provide recommendations on the capacity and capability needs of the FRDC in developing and maintaining effective partnerships into the future. It will also review the various approaches to extension taken by both the FRDC and its partners, and make recommendations as to where and how extension might be improved.
Portfolio approach to approving funding of FRDC research
The new FRDC board has shown a keen interest to ensure they are providing input at a more strategic level to the way in which FRDC goes about its business. In order to do this they are looking at ways they can conduct business in a more efficient way. One of the things they are looking at doing is to provide higher level approvals for FRDC research. This would be based on both the FRDC and the various stakeholder group RD&E plans and would require regular updates on progress. Additionally there would be an agreed risk framework which would dictate whether the board would assess a project individually for approval or if the approval would be provided at a higher level.
In effect this would mean that the board would no longer approve most projects on an application by application basis. This should improve the timing that it takes for FRDC to process projects from application through to contracting.
At this stage the process of applying is not going to change although there may be some slight variations to it in the future. The FRDC will continue to update stakeholders with more details on these changes as decisions are made.
The Assistant Minister Richard Colbeck will launch the fourth edition of the Status of Australian Fish Stocks Reports on Wednesday 6 March at the ABARES Outlook Conference in Canberra http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/outlook.
In total 120 species made up of 406 stocks were assessed in this Report, including 37 new species.
The results are that the majority of Australia’s fish stocks are well managed and healthy. The Reports cover the majority of the Australian caught fish that Australians will eat and of the stocks assessed almost 80% were sustainable (excluding Undefined and Negligible).
|
Stock Status |
Number of stocks |
Total stocks
|
Catch |
% of catch species
|
||
|
Biological stock |
Management unit |
Jurisdiction |
||||
|
Sustainable |
99 |
99 |
57 |
255 |
128,893 |
90.5 |
|
Depleting |
6 |
12 |
4 |
22 |
4,199 |
3.1 |
|
Recovering |
8 |
8 |
2 |
18 |
6,547 |
4.6 |
|
Depleted |
11 |
13 |
5 |
29 |
1,115 |
0.8 |
|
Undefined |
12 |
22 |
20 |
54 |
1,573 |
1 |
|
Negligible |
3 |
3 |
22 |
28 |
721 |
0 |
|
Total |
139 |
157 |
110 |
406 |
142,328 |
100 |
Robust Science: The strength of the Reports is their foundation in science. The Reports provide all the facts and information on the status of fish stocks based on the best available science.
Over 100 of Australia’s fisheries scientists contributed to the writing of these Reports. A further thirty-five fisheries scientists externally peer reviewed the Reports for accuracy.
Reducing the number of undefined stocks in SAFS: There has been a steady decrease in the number stocks of unknown status. Forty-nine stocks were Undefined in 2016. Of these, 30 stocks remained Undefined in 2018.
Tracking change: From the outset there has been an aspiration to Report on stock status trends across editions, to illustrate progress against typical performance measures for a stock status. As part of delivering SAFS 2018, work has been completed to map and show trends of species going from being depleted back to sustainable and vice versa.
For example, Southern Bluefin Tuna has moved from depleted in SAFS 2018 to recovering in SAFS 2018. Recent assessments have shown clear progress towards the rebuilding target set by the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) to guide the recovery of the biological stock to 20 per cent of unfished biomass by 2035. We are not there yet, but from all accounts, we are well on our way to achieving that target before 2035. Other examples include:
Improving
|
Species – Stock assessed |
2014 |
2016 |
2018 |
|
Southern Bluefin Tuna |
Depleted |
Depleted |
Recovering |
|
Big Eye Tuna – Pacific Ocean |
Depleted |
Depleted |
Sustainable |
|
Blue Swimmer Crab – Cockburn Sound |
Depleted |
Depleted |
Recovering |
|
Blue Swimmer Crab – Shark Bay |
Depleted |
Recovering |
Recovering |
|
Blue Swimmer Crab – Gulf St Vincent |
Recovering |
Sustainable |
Sustainable |
|
Blacklip Abalone – Victorian Western Zone Fishery |
Depleted |
Sustainable |
Sustainable |
|
Species – Stock assessed |
2014 |
2016 |
2018 |
|
Ballot's Saucer Scallop - East Coast Trawl Fishery |
Sustainable |
Depleted |
Depleted |
|
Commercial Scallop – Victoria |
Undefined |
Undefined |
Depleted |
|
Commercial Scallop – Tasmania |
Undefined |
Undefined |
Depleted |
|
Snapper – Shark Bay oceanic, WA |
Sustainable |
Recovering |
Depleted |
|
Snapper – Northern Spencer Gulf Fishery, SA |
Depleting |
Depleting |
Depleted |
|
Blacklip Abalone –Victorian Central Zone Fishery |
Depleted |
Depleting |
Depleting |
|
Blacklip Abalone –New South Wales |
Recovering |
Sustainable |
Depleting |
|
Blacklip Abalone –Tasmanian Eastern Zone Fishery |
Recovering |
Sustainable |
Depleting |
While the current picture is good, we cannot rest on our laurels and past performance. Fish stocks are constantly changing and require constant monitoring. The managers, fishers and even consumers should keep an eye on what is going on.
The results provide a clear road map, highlighting areas that need further work, for management, industry and researchers.
The reports are available to the general public, policy makers, managers, industry, consumers, retailers, and to the international community via the dedicated website (www.fish.gov.au) and phone apps for both Android and Apple – just search for SAFS – Sustainable Fish Stocks.
Alongside the launch of the Status of Australian Fish Stocks reports is the release of the Report Card of Australia’s Sharks (2013-009 “Shark Futures: A report card for Australia's sharks and rays”). This report undertook an assessment of 194 species of sharks (and rays with shark like bodies) by 23 of Australia’s leading shark and ray scientists.
These experts brought together the best available science on these species and applied the IUCN RED List Categories and Criteria and translated this to the categories and criteria of the Status of Key Australian Fish Stocks Reports to indicate the sustainability of these species in Australian fisheries. The 194 species were split into 199 stocks. The results of the assessment are as follows:
|
Status of Australian Fish Stocks category |
Number of stocks |
|
Sustainable |
124 |
|
Recovering |
9 |
|
Depleting |
6 |
|
Depleted |
18 |
|
Undefined |
42 |
|
Total |
199 |
All 194 species reports will be available on the FRDC website and the final report can be found at /project/2013-009
Building a vibrant and innovative fishing and aquaculture industry requires careful and deliberate planning. Through the years the FRDC have produced a series of 5-year Research, Development & Extension (RD&E) Plans. Each has taken a contemporary look at the business landscape, and laid down, against that landscape, a series of desired outcomes for fishing and aquaculture over that five-year period, and areas of strategic focus. Each plan also seeks to articulate the optimal framework for investment in RD&E to achieve the vision for fishing and aquaculture in Australia.
The process of delivering the FRDC’s 2020-25 RD&E Plan has started and will continue throughout 2019. The plan will be shaped by the priorities of the Australian Government, the Australian Fisheries Management Forum, and the needs and aspirations of the sectors and industries that make up Australia’s rich fishing and aquaculture community. To assist, the FRDC will be conducting an extensive consultative process over coming months. The process will be designed to provoke thought and feedback on possible future states of fishing and aquaculture in Australia; activities to respond to key internal and external driving forces; and review systems, investment frameworks and processes to improve efficiency in delivery of outputs through investment in RD&E.
The FRDC 2020-25 RD&E Plan will also be informed by:
Ernst and Young is leading a project to create a shared vision for the future of the agricultural innovation system and enable opportunities for a vibrant agricultural sector. The vision will be designed through engagement with stakeholders. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, in conjunction with Ernst & Young (EY), will undertake a comprehensive consultation process with stakeholders across the agricultural innovation system, including research providers, rural research and development corporations, industry representatives, governments, investors, start-ups and accelerators, producers, grower and farm systems groups, processors and retailers.
For Further Information see: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/innovation/vision-for-agricultural-innovation
The FRDC is required under its 2015-19 Funding Agreement with the Commonwealth Government, to engage an independent organisation to undertake a comprehensive review of its performance by 2 December 2018. The FRDC board agreed to the terms of reference with the Department in Sep 2017 and Foresthill Consulting (led by Scott Williams) was selected to undertake the review. As part of the review Foresthill Consulting undertook a number of face-to-face interviews, as well as seeking broader stakeholder feedback. The report was completed and provided to the Department for consideration.
In total, 10 recommendations have been made and the FRDC has agreed to fully implement all 10 recommendations. These are currently being actioned. The Review and the FRDC board response to the review can be found at /About-us/Corporate-documents/Funding-agreement.
A second, larger Australia–Asia-Pacific regional event is scheduled for Brisbane in April 2 and 3 2019. It will include opportunities for Australian ventures that have competed online in FISH 2.0 to pitch to a broad group of investors from Australia, the Pacific Islands and South-East Asia.
Sign up for the online competition or to receive news about the Brisbane event at the FISH 2.0 website (www.fish20.org/ventures/2018tracks/australia).
All ventures that qualify through the online competition will be invited to join the FISH 2.0 global online connection platform to connect with business partners and investors. Top-scoring finalists will also be invited to pitch at the FISH 2.0 Global Innovation Forum in Silicon Valley in late 2019.
There is no cost to participate in the online competition.
A key component of the FRDC’s Seafood Industry Safety & Welfare National Strategy is project “SeSAFE – Delivering Industry Safety through Electronic Learning” (2017-194). SeSAFE was established to develop electronic learning modules to facilitate the uptake of knowledge required for an improved culture of safety awareness, including general workplace safety requirements under workplace health and safety legislation.
For more information, refer to the SeSAFE dedicated website - www.sesafe.com.au
Australia will host the World Fisheries Congress 2020 (WFC2020) in Adelaide from 11 to 15 October 2020. The International Program Committee is calling for expressions of interest to lead sessions, symposia, and education and training workshops.
Held every four years, the 8th World Fisheries Congress 2020 (WFC2020) will be the largest gathering of the research, industry and management sectors to discuss the latest advances in fisheries worldwide.
The Committee are keen to hear from any organisation who are keen to participate or showcase their organisation to 1500+ delegates from around the world and provide an opportunity to be part of and build the largest fisheries event and tradeshow in 2020.
Download the Sponsorship and Exhibition prospectus or contact the Sponsorship and Exhibition Manager at conference@aomevents.com and ask about the opportunities at WFC2020.
The eight jurisdictional-based Research Advisory Committees will begin the process of seeking expressions of interest for the renewal or new appointment of all Committee members including Chairs, in August 2019. The process will involve an open call for applications that will be advertised through the FRDC’s standard communication channels.
All members of the Fisheries and Aquaculture community are invited to apply, with membership based on an individual’s expertise in order to establish committees comprised of well-informed experts from across a range of sectors and field, including:
All stakeholders are able to access information on the roles and functions of the Research Advisory Committees in the lead up to the Open call for RAC Membership at: http://frdc.com.au/Partners/Research-Advisory-Committees.
|
Date |
Event |
More information |
|
5-6 March |
ABARES Outlook Conference |
|
|
17-19 March |
Seafood EXPO North America (Boston) |
|
|
2-3 April |
Fish 2.0 – Brisbane |
|
|
7-9 May |
Seafood EXPO Global (Brussels, Belgium) |
|
|
10-14 June |
Seaweb Seafood Summit |
https://www.seafoodsummit.org/ |
|
7-11 July |
AMSA Annual Conferences "Marine Science for a Blue Economy" (Fremantle) |
|
|
30-31 July |
Trans-Tasman Abalone/Paua Convention (Hobart) |
http://www.abalonecouncil.com.au/national-abalone-convention/2019-hobart-tas/ |
|
8-9 August |
New Zealand Seafood Conference |
|
|
11-13 August |
Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congress (Queenstown, NZ) |
|
|
9-11 October |
Seafood Directions (Melbourne) |
|
|
14-17 October |
ASFB Annual Conference "Communicate to Illuminate & Inspire" (Canberra) |
http://asfbconference.org/ |
Dates for seafood festivals for 2019 can be found on the FRDC FishFiles website http://www.fishfiles.com.au/Media/Seafood-Festivals
|
Date |
Location |
|
16-17 April |
Port Stephens |
|
11-12 June |
Perth |
|
14-15 August |
Canberra |
|
Date |
Research Advisory Committee meetings |
More information |
|
6/03/2019 |
Queensland RAC |
See the FRDC website - http://frdc.com.au/Partners/Research-Advisory-Committees |
|
12/03/2019 |
South Australian RAC |
|
|
13/03/2019 |
Western Australian RAC |
|
|
21/03/2019 |
Commonwealth RAC |
|
|
27/03/2019 |
Northern Territory RAC |
|
|
28/03/2019 |
Victorian RAC |
|
|
11/04/2019 |
Tasmanian RAC |
|
|
17/04/2019 |
New South Wales RAC |
NOTE: some projects may not yet have been contracted
|
Project Number |
Title |
Applicant |
PI |
Budget $ |
|
2017-135 |
NCCP: essential studies on cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) prior to release of the virus in Australian waters |
CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory |
Ken McColl |
273,383 |
|
2017-199 |
A preliminary assessment of the prevalence of marine micro plastics in Australian seafood |
University of Adelaide North Terrace Campus |
Bronwyn M. Gillanders |
145,666 |
|
2017-203 |
Risk from Diarrhetic Shellfish Toxins and Dinophysis to the Australian Shellfish Industry |
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) |
Penelope A. Ajani |
241,125 |
|
2018-005 |
Where should I farm my oysters? Does natural Cadmium distribution restrict oyster farm site selection in the Northern Territory? |
Department of Primary Industry and Resources (NT) |
Matthew Osborne |
123,272 |
|
2018-006 |
FRDC Resource: Development and ongoing maintenance of Australian Fish Names Standard 2019-2020 |
Alan Snow Konsulting |
Alan J. Snow |
174,685 |
|
2018-011 |
A South Australian gulfs and coastal ecosystem model to optimise multi-species fisheries management in a changing environment |
South Australian Research and Development Institute |
Simon D. Goldsworthy |
218,932 |
|
2018-020 |
Cumulative impacts across fisheries in Australia's marine environment |
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart |
Beth Fulton |
391,000 |
|
2018-021 |
Development and evaluation of multi-species harvest strategies in the SESSF |
CSIRO |
Richard Little |
464,973 |
|
2018-027 |
Integrated approach to improving stock assessment of Black jewfish |
Charles Darwin University (CDU) |
David A. Crook |
450,000 |
|
2018-034 |
Effects of climate change and habitat degradation on coral trout |
James Cook University (JCU) |
Morgan S. Pratchett |
714,675 |
|
2018-035 |
Fisheries biology of Western Australian Salmon: improving our understanding of population dynamics in South Australia to enable quantitative stock assessments and improved fisheries management. |
South Australian Research and Development Institute |
Jason Earl |
246,454 |
|
2018-036 |
Seal-fisher-ecosystem interactions in the Lower Lakes and Coorong: understanding causes and impacts to develop longer-term solutions |
South Australian Research and Development Institute |
Jason Earl |
335,725 |
|
2018-042 |
Improving Outcomes of Fisher Interactions with Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras |
Monash University Clayton Campus |
Richard Reina |
211,556 |
|
2018-050 |
Where did the snapper go? Determining factors influencing the recovery of snapper stocks on the west coast of Australia |
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) WA |
Gary Jackson |
352,587 |
|
2018-053 |
Enhancing the Understanding of the Value Provided to Fisheries by Man-Made Aquatic Structures |
Curtin University |
Euan S. Harvey |
353,753 |
|
2018-055 |
Developing a positive cultural attitude towards the capture and release of sharks and rays |
South Australian Aquatic Sciences Institute |
Paul J. Rogers |
358,968 |
|
2018-056 |
Understanding the demography and stock structure of Victorian pipis |
University of Melbourne |
John R. Morrongiello |
278,471 |
|
2018-070 |
Opportunities and impacts of range extending scalefish species: understanding population dynamics, ecosystem impacts and management needs |
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) Taroona |
Sean Tracey |
249,587 |
|
2018-074 |
Assessing the spawning characteristics and reproductive biology of pearl perch (Glaucosoma scapulare) in Queensland |
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QLD) |
Matthew Campbell |
402,659 |
|
2018-075 |
Aquaculture-Community Futures: North West Tasmania |
University of Tasmania (UTAS) |
Karen A. Alexander |
172,996 |
|
2018-079 |
Ecological modeling of the impacts of water development in the Gulf of Carpentaria with particular reference to impacts on the Northern Prawn Fishery |
CSIRO |
Eva Plagany-Lloyd |
411,817 |
|
2018-104 |
Next generation decision support tools to support sustainable aquaculture in Storm Bay |
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart |
Rebecca Gorton |
791,324 |
|
2018-109 |
National Abalone Diver Exchange Program |
Western Abalone Divers Association (WADA) |
Craig Fox |
255,800 |
|
2018-119 |
Development of a hydrodynamic model to investigate near field and regional connectivity around Okehampton Bay |
Tassal Operations Pty Ltd |
Michael Herzfeld |
340,178 |
|
2018-124 |
Science to support Australia’s Southern Ocean Fisheries 2018-2020 |
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) Taroona |
Philippe Ziegler |
1,473,000 |
|
2018-128 |
Seafood Trade Advisory Group - developing, implementing and communicating the Australian seafood industry trade agenda 2019-2021 |
Honey and Fox Pty Ltd |
Jayne M. Gallagher |
461,000 |
|
2018-133 |
Impact of environmental variability on the Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) fishery |
University of Tasmania (UTAS) |
Stuart Corney |
586,621 |
|
2018-147 |
Diagnostic detection of aquatic pathogens using real-time next generation sequencing |
CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory |
David Cummins |
216,000 |
|
2018-148 |
A Stock Assessment Toolbox for Australian Fisheries |
Cathy Dichmont Consulting |
Cathy M. Dichmont |
179,630 |
|
2018-154 |
A market research-driven and co-management approach to developing an industry strategy for the SA Charter Boat Fishery |
EconSearch (Divison of BDO Advisory (SA) Pty Ltd) |
Julian Morison |
32,840 |
|
2018-156 |
Assessment of Pacific oyster family lines for OsHV-1 tolerance |
South Australian Research and Development Institute |
Marty Deveney |
67,987 |
|
2018-157 |
Evaluation of Cobia and Giant Groper production and health in multiple growout systems, as an alternative species to farm in WSSV affected areas of South East Queensland |
Rocky Point Aquaculture Company Pty Ltd |
Brad Cherrie |
150,000 |
|
2018-159 |
Spawning biomass of Jack Mackerel (Trachurus declivis) in the East sub-area of the Small Pelagic Fishery |
South Australian Research and Development Institute |
Tim Ward |
300,000 |
|
2018-161 |
National Social and Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers |
University of Canberra |
Anthony Moore |
1,072,045 |
|
2018-162 |
On Board Processing and Packaging Innovation in the Australian Wild Harvest Prawn Fishery |
Fight Food Waste CRC |
Steven Lapidge |
353,750 |
|
2018-164 |
Commercial production trial with high POMS tolerant triploid Pacific Oysters in approved NSW estuaries. |
Australian Seafood Industries Pty Ltd (ASI) |
Matthew Cunningham |
70,000 |
|
2018-165 |
Easy Open Oyster Machine Upgrade |
Dr Leonard Stephens |
Len Stephens |
65,000 |
|
2018-166 |
Australian Prawn Farms - Emerging disease investigation |
Australian Prawn Farms Pty Ltd |
Matt A. Landos |
180,960 |
|
2018-167 |
Seafood Industry Engagement and input into the development of the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement |
Jim Fitzgerald and Associates |
Jim E. Fitzgerald |
25,350 |
|
2018-170 |
Development of diagnostic and surveillance techniques to promote modern Southern Bluefin Tuna health management |
RMIT University Melbourne City Campus |
Nathan Bott |
401,793 |
|
2018-171 |
Growing a Digital Future – Development of digital capability frameworks |
Cotton Research and Development Corporation |
Jane Trindall |
75,000 |
|
2018-172 |
Methods to profile and connect the provenance of wild caught prawn fisheries and their values to the community |
Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries Ltd (ACPF) |
Rachel King |
469,400 |