Project number: 2022-063
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $750,000.00
Principal Investigator: Natalia Perez Haedo
Organisation: Western Rock Lobster Council Inc (WRLC)
Project start/end date: 22 Nov 2022 - 29 Jun 2025
Contact:
FRDC

Need

The Western Rock Lobster Council’s (WRLC) Strategic Plan defines the organisation’s purpose as providing the community with the economic and social benefits of a sustainable western rock lobster industry supplying its iconic product to local and overseas markets.

It outlines a vision for industry to have the full confidence of government, the community, and members as a well-resourced, self-funded peak body engaged in advocacy and co-management for improved resource security.

One of the key actions outlined in the Strategic Plan under the fourth key objective ‘Ensure the social licence to operate is supported by government, community and industry’ is to develop and implement a revised communications strategy for members, stakeholders, and the community.

While the indications for achieving social licence for the western rock lobster industry are currently positive, consolidating and increasing that support depends on the evolving social and political landscape. Building on the on innovation and lessons learnt during the execution of the previous Communication Program 2020-058, and through the development and application of more mature initiatives drawn out from its updated Communication and Engagement Strategy, the industry will strengthen its connection to the community, continue to increase support from key stakeholders and the general public, and consolidate its Social Licence to operate.
This Program application delivers on that commitment.

Objectives

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 outputs.
2. Broaden and deepen relationships with external stakeholders from government and other industries to make the Council and the industry more resilient.
3. Build awareness of the significant contribution the industry continues to make to coastal communities, and the state.
4. Increase community awareness of the availability and accessibility of western rock lobster.
5. Ensure the industry is getting maximum social license benefits from its Marine Stewardship Council certification as a sustainable fishery.

Related research

Communities
Environment
Environment