Project Search

The Eel fishers in NSW have been trading their product with China for many years typically selling product via exporters who used the "grey channel". The crackdown on illegal imports to China has resulted in steadily deteriorating prices and apparent demand for NSW eels causing catches to decline - it is simply not worth fishing. Total catch limit of 155.22 t @8/kg (minimum) means the fishery is potentially worth more that $1m pa. Currently less than 30t is caught leaving significant room for growth.

PFA research shows that there is still a large unmet demand for eels in China, Japan and other Asian markets and that the reduced tariffs through the trade agreements has enhanced the economic viability of targeting those markets. The NSW eel fishery recently became managed by quota which has been a catalyst for NSW fishers' need to value add the product and focus on marketing the entire run of catch rather than just those suitable for live. The live market has a definite preference for particular eels but there are opportunities to transform eels not suitable for live into new formats.

The FTP project demonstrated that NSW eel fishers are able to work collaboratively to target new market opportunities for what is currently an under-utilised product. The PFA has been inundated by fishers from NSW, QLD and Victoria asking about prospects for eel markets demonstrating that there is an desperate need to conduct further research to support new legal channels market and product formats that meet the needs of those markets.
We need to
a) Develop and test new product formats (other than live) specifically for the Asian market
b) Define market needs including consumer demand, competitor analysis, channel and supply chain partner identification
c) Understand the economics and logistics requirements to create competitive supply chains that meet market requirements
d) Analyse how to scale up production to meet potential market demand and maximise the value of the catch. This will likely include working with other Eel fishers nationally

The results will advise Stage 2 of this project which is to inform the development of quality parameters for different product formats.

Objectives

1. To develop up to 5 product formats from NSW wild caught eels and test them in two markets

2. To assess the feasibility and options for commercial scale up should the product formats be demonstrated as adding value to the NSW eel fishery

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-9876352-9-7

Authors: Jayne Gallagher Dr Joanne Freeman Patricia Beatty Andre Gorissen and Umar Nguyen

Final Report • 479.67 KB

2018-087-DLD.pdf

Summary

Following a dramatic drop in demand for live wild-caught eels (Longfin Eel, Anguilla Reinhardtii) to be exported from NSW to China, fishing efforts have significantly reduced, and the fishery is now classed as underutilised. At the same time, there is a global shortage of eels, with demand increasing, particularly in traditional eel-consuming markets such as China, Japan, Korea, and Europe.

At the request of the NSW eel fishers, the Professional Fishers Association, Honey & Fox Pty Ltd, together with Noosa Seafood Market and The Fish Girl, undertook this project to investigate whether there are any viable alternative markets and assess the technical and operational feasibility of capturing those.

The project team worked closely with fishers, their supply chain partners and potential customers to focus on:

Developing and testing new product formats (other than live) specifically for the Asian market.
Defining market needs, including consumer demand, competitor analysis, channel, and supply chain partner identification.
Understanding the technical and operational requirements to create competitive supply chains that meet market requirements.
Identifying options for scaling up production to meet potential market demand and maximise the value of the catch. This includes consideration of different business models, including local or regional clusters and/or working with other Eel fishers nationally.

The original project plan was constrained due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which made it difficult to test potential new products in international target markets. Several changes were made to the project methods to deal with the constraints imposed. These are outlined in the report.

Project products

Fact Sheet • 89.15 KB

2018-087-DLD Att 1 Eel Fisher and Processor Discussions August 2020.pdf

Fact Sheet • 3.54 MB

2018-087-DLD Att 2 Report on eels in Japan and Korea.pdf

Fact Sheet • 3.76 MB

2018-087-DLD Att 3 Final Eel Market Dashboards 2020.pdf

Fact Sheet • 1.64 MB

2018-087-DLD Att 4 Initial Eel Product ideas.pdf

Fact Sheet • 2.59 MB

2018-087-DLD Att 5 Shortlisted Product Ideas.pdf

Fact Sheet • 5.45 MB

2018-087-DLD Att 6 Market and Product Trials Report.pdf

Fact Sheet • 532.08 KB

2018-087-DLD Att 7 Australian Eel Market Food Service Report.pdf

Fact Sheet • 1.36 MB

2018-087-DLD Att 8 NSW_WildSaltwaterEels_Branding2023.pdf

Fact Sheet • 155.28 KB

2018-087-DLD Att 9 Retail Pricing Model.pdf

Fact Sheet • 80.10 KB

2018-087-DLD Att 10 Food Service Pricing Model.pdf

Fact Sheet • 338.92 KB

2018-087-DLD Att 11 Eel Market Diversification Feasibility report.pdf

Fact Sheet • 219.34 KB

2018-087-DLD Att 12 Final Revised Eels comms plan.pdf

Fact Sheet • 14.43 MB

2018-087-DLD Att 13 PFA Communications _26 Extension Report.pdf

PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-086

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Assessment of the capability of Shrimp MultiPath White Spot virus tests: A multiplexed screening platform for pathogen diagnostics in prawns

This report summarises the development and performance assessment of novel PCR based assays to monitor and detect the microsporidian Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) in Penaeid shrimp samples using a cost-effective and high-throughput approach. The original Project objective was to...

ORGANISATION:

Genics Pty Ltd

TAGS

SPECIES

PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-079

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Ecological modelling of the impacts of water development in the Gulf of Carpentaria with particular reference to impacts on the Northern Prawn Fishery

ORGANISATION:

CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Crawley

TAGS

Resource Access And Allocation

SPECIES

Implementation workshop for the effective adoption of the outcomes from the SESSF Declining Indicators project

Project number: 2018-077

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $33,639.76

Principal Investigator: George Day

Organisation: Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA)

Project start/end date: 14 Mar 2019 - 30 Oct 2019

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Need

The recent Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) Declining Indicators project (FRDC 2016-146) culminated in a successful workshop discussion involving effective contribution and engagement from all fishery stakeholders with particularly good industry attendance and engagement. The Declining Indicators project entailed the presentation of a series of subject matter papers covering seven focus areas:
- legislative / management impediments
- fleet capacity and characteristics
- fisher behaviour and vessel operation
- climate change and oceanographic conditions
- costs of production and markets
- quota ownership and trading
- the assessment process.

At the workshop numerous hypotheses were tested through presentation, discussion and survey approaches. This resulted in a range of significant outcomes recommended for adoption to improve the sustainable, efficient and cost-effective management of the SESSF.

In conjunction with the current project, there have been other recent strategic projects which elucidate current issues in the SESSF and their potential to be addressed in future SESSF management: FRDC 2014-203 ‘SESSF Monitoring and Assessment – Strategic Review’ (Knuckey et. al 2017); FRDC 2016-139 ‘Decadal-scale projection of changes in Australian fisheries stocks under climate change’ (Fulton et al. 2018); and ‘FRDC 2016-059 Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change’ (Rayns et al, underway). There is a need for the outcomes and recommendations of all of these project to be considered together to inform future management of the SESSF and in particular to help inform the design of the upcoming project: FRDC 2018-021 ‘Development and evaluation of multi-species harvest strategies in the SESSF’.

The new proposed project, an implementation workshop, will draw together the outcomes of these projects to be assessed, conveyed to those outside the Declining Indicators group, and implemented into the fishery.

Objectives

1. Drawing together, evaluating and developing a prioritised list of actions from the SESSF from a number of interrelated projects that have, or are close to being, finalised. Primarily the Declining Indicators project (FRDC 2016-146) and SESSF Monitoring and Assessment Review Project (FRDC 2014/203)

2. Informing the project team of FRDC proposed project Development and evaluation of multi-species harvest strategies in the SESSF (FRDC 2018-021) about key priorities and preferred approaches relevant to the development of a revised harvest stategy.

3. Providing information that will inform a SESSF data needs workshop, to be organised and funded by AFMA, expected to be held in February and March 2019.

4. Effectively communicating agreed priorities for the fishery across industry and broader SESSF stakeholders to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance.

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-877044-40-3

Authors: George Day Dr Ian Knuckey Daniel Corrie Brodie Macdonald

Final Report • 2020-06-01 • 2.66 MB

2018-077-DLD.pdf

Summary

The key outcome of this project is the implementation plan at Appendix 1 which provides a comprehensive, prioritised list of actions for the SESSF as it transitions to a new harvest strategy framework. The implementation plan also provides a framework for ongoing governance and reporting to ensure the benefits of recent research can be realised.

This project ensured that views of stakeholders were taken into account in the effective adoption of research outcomes. The high level of stakeholder engagement has increased support for pursuing the resultant list of actions.

Fundamental to the transition of the SESSF is the current FRDC project to revise and update the SESSF Harvest Strategy Framework (Development and evaluation of multi-species harvest strategies in the SESSF (FRDC 2018-021)). Many of the recommendations from the implementation plan at Appendix 1 will help inform that project.

Final Report • 2020-06-01 • 2.66 MB

2018-077-DLD.pdf

Summary

Aquaculture-Community Futures: North West Tasmania

Project number: 2018-075

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $172,996.00

Principal Investigator: Karen A. Alexander

Organisation: University of Tasmania (UTAS)

Project start/end date: 31 Mar 2019 - 30 Mar 2021

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

SPECIES

Need

To secure the future of Australian aquaculture, building and maintaining a sufficient level of support and trust from interested and affected communities is vital. Worldwide, there have been several examples of where aquaculture operations have been threatened because of a lack of societal acceptability. In Australia, a recent example of this has been the environmental non-governmental organisations (eNGOs) campaigns against proposed fish farm operations in Okehampton Bay on Tasmania’s east coast (Murphy-Gregory, 2017). In the Tasmanian context, attitudes toward the commercial exploitation/use of natural resources involve multi-dimensional, often conflicting, values often with a spatial dimension (see Evans, Kirkpatrick & Bridle 2018).

FRDC Project 2017-158 ‘Determinates of socially-supported wild-catch and aquaculture fisheries in Australia’ has revealed that several factors contribute towards achieving community acceptance: the perception that a company offers benefits; that it contributes to the well-being of the region and respects the local way of life; that it listens, responds and exhibits reciprocity; and that relations are based on an enduring regard for each other’s interests. These factors are often based on understanding and contributing towards achieving a certain state or condition of that which is valued by local and regional communities (e.g. a certain level of local employment, or of threatened habitat protection). Indeed, a lack of social acceptance for the aquaculture industry has often resulted in part from their practices being seen to, or in some cases actually, compromising the condition or state of what communities ‘value’ (feel is very important).

This project has been designed to examine the mix of community interests and values, and to identify how the aquaculture industry and regional communities can participate in processes of negotiation, to contribute towards the achievement of desired conditions or states of community values, using NW Tasmania as a case study.

Objectives

1. Identify what the NW communities and Tasmanian residents value (“community values”) in relation to the NW Tasmanian coastal and marine region

2. Establish which of these values future aquaculture in NW Tasmanian can contribute to (“shared values”)

3. Ascertain community preferences for how salmonid farming in NW Tasmania could contribute to these shared values, and how this should be tracked and benchmarked

5. Determine preferences of NW communities and Tasmanian residents for community-industry engagement, communication and partnership models (social engagement strategies)

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-922352-94-1

Authors: Karen A. Alexander Maree Fudge Emily Ogier

Final Report • 2022-06-01 • 1.81 MB

2018-075-DLD.pdf

Summary

This report discusses a study conducted by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania on marine and costal wellbeing and how it can be considered in regional marine and coastal development decision making. The need for this project arose from a desire by selected Tasmanian aquaculture industry members to better understand levels of community acceptability of their operations (or ‘social license to operate’). The study used a mixed methods approach that combined participatory mapping, qualitative and quantitative primary data, and desk-top research to develop this framework. Wellbeing was found to be comprised of three dimensions: material, relational and subjective. The material relates to welfare or standards of living. The relational is about social relations, personal relationships, and access to the resources we need. The subjective is about how we perceive our individual experience of life. Specific marine and coastal places matter to well-being. Considering wellbeing in the decision-making process is challenging because some aspects are difficult to measure.

PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-074

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Assessing the spawning characteristics and reproductive biology of Pearl Perch (Glaucosoma scapulare) in Queensland

ORGANISATION:

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries EcoScience Precinct

TAGS

SPECIES

Opportunities and impacts of range extending scalefish species: understanding population dynamics, ecosystem impacts and management needs

Project number: 2018-070

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $249,587.00

Principal Investigator: Sean Tracey

Organisation: University of Tasmania

Project start/end date: 31 May 2019 - 30 Nov 2020

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Need

Species-level responses to ocean warming is a priority research area as they underpin the structure and function of marine ecosystems and the productivity of fisheries that operate within them.
There are a number of range extending species that have become increasingly abundant in Tasmanian waters, providing new fishing opportunities for recreational and, to a lesser extent, commercial fishers. Species in this group include Pink Snapper, King George Whiting and Yellowtail Kingfish. While King George Whiting are known to spawn off the north coast it is unclear as to whether the other species have or are likely to become established as self-sustaining populations in Tasmanian waters or simply persist as spill-over from populations that are centered off mainland Australia. If the former is the case, it will be especially important to consider population attributes such as growth, mortality and reproductive dynamics relevant to the Tasmanian populations when developing and refining management arrangements to maximise the opportunities these 'new' species bring.

In addition, the broader ecosystem impacts of such range extending species, including competition with resident species at similar trophic levels, are unknown but could have consequences for other recreationally and commercially important species. Understanding these relationships will have benefits for the assessment and management of the Tasmanian recreational fishery more generally.

Objectives

1. Develop a program for ongoing collection of biological samples and data of key range-shifting fish species using citizen science initiatives engaging with the recreational fishing community.

2. Develop geographically discrete life-history parameters for key range-shifting fish species in Tasmania to inform management decisions.

3. Determine the diet composition of key range-shifting fish species to refine parameterisation of an ecosystem model.

4. Utilise the Atlantis ecosystem model framework to predict ecological impacts of increasing abundance of key range-shifting fish species in Tasmania.

5. Develop species distribution models that utilise oceanographic climate change projections to predict the future presence and persistence of the key target species in Tasmania.

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-922708-28-1

Author: Alexia Graba-Landry

Final Report • 2022-05-12 • 13.57 MB

2018-070-DLD.pdf

Summary

This work set out to quantify the biology and diet of three key range-shifting species in Tasmania with both recreational and commercial fishery value. The project was heavily reliant on engagement from the recreational fishing community and multiple citizen science initiatives, as well as historical data.

The information collected was used in modelling to predict how suitable habitats for each species may shift under future climate change projections. The work also indicated the potential changes to the ecosystem (such as food web) if these species’ ranges were to move.

Non-market values to inform decision-making and reporting in fisheries and aquaculture – an audit and gap analysis

Project number: 2018-068

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $118,293.91

Principal Investigator: Louisa Coglan

Organisation: Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Project start/end date: 3 Feb 2019 - 29 Jun 2020

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Resource Access And Allocation

Need

Most Australian fisheries policies require that fisheries management take account of the cumulative effect of all human users of marine resources, including professional, recreational and Indigenous Australian fishers. The triple bottom line (TBL) approach is the general framework used to assess performance against economic, social, and environmental dimensions. TBL requires articulation of these broad values, but these may be qualitatively assessed. Significant progress has been made in incorporating some of these elements into fisheries management decision, particularly prioritising different objectives of fishery management [e.g. 1, 2]. In some cases, development of semi-quantitative approaches have been used to assist in decision-making across these multiple dimensions [e.g. 3], including in some cases indigenous value [e.g. 4]. Recent research has also extended this focus to develop a robust articulation of Indigenous Australian customary fishing values to enable their inclusion when developing fisheries management policies [5].

Optimal decisions require the trade-off between costs and benefits to be considered. TBL approaches do not explicitly consider this trade-off, resulting in challenges in identifying optimal outcomes. Where these costs and benefits are expressed as explicit monetary values, assessing the trade-off requires deducting the expected costs from the expected benefits (commonly referred to as cost-benefit analysis (CBA)).

However, in fisheries, many costs and benefits do not have an explicit monetary value. Hence, decisions about the use and management of marine resources increasingly requires objective information on the non-market value of benefits (and costs). Some attention has been focused on the estimation of non-market values of recreational fishing [e.g. 6, 7], although only limited attempts to-date have been made to use these values in supporting management decision making [e.g. 8]. Many other values have not been quantified, and their use in fisheries management has not been fully explored.

Objectives

1. To support robust and defeasible evidence based decision-making in fisheries and aquaculture decision making that is understood and supported by key fisheries and aquaculture managers.

2. To provide managers with an understanding of the resources available to account for non-market values in fisheries and aquaculture decision making

3. To identify key research gaps and make recommendations related to the need for further empirical non-market valuation studies

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-925553-26-0

Authors: Louisa Coglan Sean Pascoe Gabriela Scheufele Samantha Paredes and Aimee Pickens

Final Report • 2021-03-19 • 3.77 MB

2018-068-DLD.pdf

Summary

This study examined the issues around non-market values requirements and identified potential sources of robust and defensible estimates of key values, including those generally viewed as difficult to measure.
The project identified thirteen types of non-market values that fisheries and aquaculture managers considered as potentially important to their decision making. Of these, the top four involved values related to users of the fisheries resources, including fisher satisfaction, values to Indigenous Australian fishers, and the value of fish and experience to recreational fishers. The next four involved impacts of fishing on others, including habitats, species, local communities and other users of the marine environment.
The gap analysis identified that recent values for most of the values of potential use to fisheries and aquaculture management were unavailable. This limits the role of benefit transfers and identifies a need for further primary studies of non-market values.

PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-067

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Socio-economic characterisation of a small scale commercial fishery: opportunities to improve viability and profitability in the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery

ORGANISATION:

University of Tasmania (UTAS)

TAGS

SPECIES

Maximising industry representational capacity and capability through improved skills and knowledge

Project number: 2018-063

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $40,000.00

Principal Investigator: Julian J. Harrington

Organisation: Seafood Industry Tasmania

Project start/end date: 30 Nov 2018 - 31 Jul 2019

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Need

The Tasmanian seafood industry operates in an exceptionally complex environment, with a diverse range of stakeholders who have input and influence over the decision making process. Furthermore, an increasing number of issues and challenges threaten the ongoing viability of the industry, notable examples include large scale harmful algal blooms on Tasmania's East Coast, community and industry acceptance of salmon expansion and political influence overriding a scientific evidence base. Industry associations and the volunteer Directors of such organisations are tasked with steering the Tasmanian seafood industry towards a sustainable and prosperous future. Fundamental to the success of seafood sector associations is sound governance, fiscal responsibility and strategy and risk preparedness. Directors of not-for-profit associations must clearly understand their role and legal obligations of being a Director, and their role in steering industry in a positive forward projection.

Governance, fiscal responsibility and strategy and risk preparedness are fundamental skills and knowledge that all Directors must be aware of and constantly reminded of, and it is important to provide volunteer Directors the opportunity to up-skill or re-skill in this important area. Noting that the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishemen's Association and Oysters Tasmania are about to finalise new Directors, it is timely that TSIC run professional development opportunities to support these and other sector association representatives.

The Australian Institute for Company Directors offer short, one day courses tailored to the Tasmanian seafood industry needs.

Objectives

1. To conduct two (2) one (1) day Australian Institute of Company Directors courses focusing on Governance and Strategy and Risk for Directors, with a focus on not-for-profit organisations.

2. To improve the skills and knowledge of seafood industry representatives

3. To ensure sector associations are operating within their legal requirements

4. To improve industry capacity and capabilities to strategise and address risk

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-925983-15-9

Author: Julian Harrington

Final Report • 2019-08-01 • 866.20 KB

2018-063-DLD.pdf

Summary

Twenty (20) Tasmanian seafood leaders participated in a two (2) day Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course over the 30 and 31 May 2019. Courses completed were:
• Governance for Directors
• Finance for Directors
Participants gained a better understanding of best practice governance and how to interpret and understand financial reports.
The skills gained will provide greatly improved capacity and capability within Tasmanian seafood sector associations and the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council (TSIC).

Page 24 of 395

View Filter