As the oceans are getting busier, it is more important than ever for fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders to engage and work together. In November, FRDC brought approximately sixty stakeholders to Adelaide for FRDC’s annual Stakeholder Planning Workshop. 

Attendees at Stakeholder Planning Workshop

 

The forum allowed FRDC stakeholders to collaborate and gain an understanding of the key issues and opportunities across fishing and aquaculture, while also contributing to the co-design growth pathways and opportunities where FRDC can play a major role through research and development.  FRDC was also keen to compile stakeholder feedback on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) expectations, integrated ocean management and extension opportunities and the drivers needed to increase adoption of research and Innovations.  

FRDC General Manager, Strategy and Innovation Matt Barwick, was pleased with the outcomes of the two-day workshop. 

“There was a consensus that participants were seeking to both understand a range of topics and hear about the different perspectives and experiences other people and sectors had to offer,” he said.  

“This was a great opportunity to look beyond our sectors for innovative solutions. For example, Adam Main from CH4 Australia, suggested the concept of taking existing robotic technology used in viticulture for vine health/yield monitoring and waterproofing that technology to use it to monitor and manage the biosecurity of Asparagopsis seaweed cultivation.  

“That comment highlighted the importance of this type of multi-sector stakeholder workshop as a mechanism for flushing out ideas on how to address potential or emerging issues, while we continue to protect and enhance our marine and freshwater resources,” said Matt.  

Sli.do software was used throughout the workshop to gather feedback on various activities and topics discussed. Sli.do allows users to generate ‘word-clouds’ in real-time based on their answers to questions and concepts. The bigger the word or phrase appears on the screen, reflects the depth or importance of that word or phrase for participants.  

 

Sli.do’s live feedback screen, showing users similarities in answers using a ‘word-cloud’ format. The bigger the word – the more users had generated that answer. 

 

Matt highlighted that the Sli.do software provided transparency and allowed everyone to see instant feedback on questions, polls, Q&A’s.  

“With Sli.do being such an effective live-feedback loop, we plan to incorporate this into future FRDC workshops,” he said.  

One of the major discussion topics at the workshop was fair and secure access to aquatic resources. Blue Economy CRC’s Chief Executive Officer John Whittington provided context and background on the decision-making involved in different uses of marine resources, particularly for fishing and aquaculture as new industries start operating in shared waters. This session gave participants the opportunity to hear different perspectives on the use of ocean resources and explore a range of co-design research investment opportunities and potential investment partners for FRDC. 

“We can now prioritise and further develop projects and co-investment options, taking into account the ranking of responses submitted in the workshop,” Matt said. 

Another outcome of the workshop was the reinforcement of FRDC’s commitment to building capacity, diversity and inclusion within the Australian fisheries and aquaculture sectors. 

“We want to continuously improve, particularly on inclusion of Indigenous and recreational fishers attending our events and workshops. We want to hear all viewpoints on how best to invest in research, development and extension that benefits our aquatic resources, for all stakeholders,” said Matt.  

It wasn’t all hard work, to help everyone get to know each other better, at the beginning of the workshop FRDC Stakeholder Engagement Manager Kylie Dunstan, challenged attendees to venture outside the venue and capture a selection of photos including, a boat, the beach, a view of the workshop venue looking back from the Glenelg jetty and something ‘typically Glenelg’.

 

 

 

 

Prizes were given out at the end of the workshop, for the most relevant and creative photos. A selection of these photos have been included with this article.  

The overall winning entry was Russell Conway, for his photo with a ‘Glenelg Local’.

 

Other winners included:

Most creative and fun – Nick Moody (Research Group Leader – ACDP Fish Diseases Laboratory, CSIRO)

 

Most innovative – Cathy Dichmont Chair of the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Research Advisory Committees) and Sian Breen (Fishery Manager Queensland Dept of Agriculture and Fisheries)

 

Quickest response – Manue Daniels (Western Australian fisher)

 

Some photos from challenge

Chris Calogeras (FRDC Board Member & Indigenous Reference Group Subprogram Leader) , Delahay Miller (Senior Policy Manager, Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation – visited the workshop), Rohan Henry (Victoria Research Advisory Committee)
 

L-R Cathy Dichmont (Chair of the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Research Advisory Committees), Alistair Hobday (Committee Member Commonwealth RAC and Research Director CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere), Chris Wilcox (Chief Research Scientist Minderoo), Sian Breen (Fishery Manager Queensland Dept of Agriculture and Fisheries)

 

Crispian Ashby (GM Research and Invesment), Patrick Hone (Managing Director), Russell Conway (Chair Recfish Australia)

 

Attendees at Stakeholder Planning Workshop

 

Nathan Bicknell (SA Extension Officer) & Michael O’Brien (Welcome to Country)

 

Attendees at Stakeholder Planning Workshop

 

Jamie Allnutt, presenting on the FRDC Extension Officer Network at the Stakeholder Planning Workshop

 

This relates to R&D Plan Outcomes 1, 3 & 5