The operating environment for Southern rock lobster fishing and exporting businesses has changed significantly since January 2020. Prior to this the value of the catch (beach price) has remained consistently high (average around $80/kg with highs up to $120/kg). Investment has had an exceptional ROI in this industry due to the scale of the fishery. This has enabled the fishery to engage in a progressive research agenda which focused on consolidation of knowledge and expansion of existing programs (biotoxins, lobster health, supply chain development).

However, the global pandemic and trade disruptions to the live export market in China have seen a precipitous decline in beach price (as low as $25/kg) making some operations unviable. Ongoing trade disruption has brought about a need for industry to urgently adapt to new markets and market offerings. Changing consumer preferences are demanding that out sector make further advancements in carbon and waste reduction as well as the circular economy. Performing in a changing climate will also be a focus of the fishery going forward.

The Southern Rock Lobster industry has a complex array of business structures. Many of the quota units or catch shares are owned by small family businesses while an increasing amount is owned by larger companies. Catch is taken by around 600 vessels and packed and processed by a number of different companies. The large and complex array of firms across three States means there is a need for leadership in prioritising and coordinating the investment in and managing industry RD&E.

SRL remains an active supporter and stakeholder in SafeFish and the Seafood Trade Advisory Group (STAG) to primarily address issues regarding food safety and international market access. The continuance of these relationships are paramount to the SRL industry's success to service new and existing markets as well as build on domestic opportunities.

This project will build on the existing capacity to deal with Southern Rock Lobster RD&E needs in a strategic and efficient way. The industry will benefit from continued collaboration on R&D initiatives with other Australian Rock Lobster representative bodies.

Whale entanglement in fishing gear has posed a major threat to the Western Rock Lobster (WRL) industry over the last decade. Adverse media attention has to date been avoided, but 2020 saw the first entangled whale appear dead on a WA beach entangled with gear from the state's fisheries. Similarly, several "public" rescues were undertaken of entangled whales which is extremely dangerous. Attempts to disentangle whales has led to the death of responders previously in both Canada and New Zealand. Such events have the capacity to provide a significant threat to the activities of the WRL industry through erosion of their social license.
A program to direct entanglement mitigation research over the next four years will increase the strategic focus of research and increase the efficiency of the application and granting process, thus leading to a more rapid implementation of outcomes into the management of the fishery. Critically, broad dissemination of the outcomes of these project will assist in creating a more resilient social license. This will be important when adverse media attention is focused on the industry as the result of either the death of a whale or responder attempting to disentangle the whale.

During the initial conceptual steering committee meeting of the Tuna Champions program it was identified, and supported by marketing specialists, to focus on a single species, in this case the SBT. If this was done well, it would minimise dilution of the messaging and improve the uptake and momentum of increased stewardship in that particular fishery. It was noted however that the messages would likely ‘spill over’ into other species, particularly other tuna species as the practices being promoted were applicable to them. Then further, that the messaging and recognition of the value of stewardship as it relates to recreational fishing practices would spill over more broadly to other species. This effect has now been realised with fishers that target other tuna species already organically sharing and promoting the message of tuna champions and more broadly, several other recreational stewardship programs have been developed or are currently in the funding or conceptual phases including Shark Mates, Snapper Stewards and a program in Tasmania promoting stewardship in the recreational fishery targeting Sand Flathead.

The recent recognition by the Federal Government of the success of the Tuna Champions program was highlighted in the commitment to fund an extension of the program announced with the launch of the 2021 Federal budget.

This funding will facilitate the need to broaden the program to the next level by increasing the scope of the project to now focus on more key tuna species in Australia, including Yellowfin Tuna and Longtail Tuna. The geographic distribution of these species and the recreational fisheries that target them will increase the breadth of the program across Australia with both these species commonly caught on the east and west coasts and Longtail Tuna caught along the top-end of Australia, including the Northern Territory.

Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC.

The Tasmanian Association for Recreational Fishing Inc. (TARFish) has identified that its current form and mode of operation is uncertain and not sustainable in the long term and, most importantly, is not sufficiently meeting the needs of recreational fishers in Tasmania.

TARFish proposes to undertake an investigation into current successful recreational fishing peak body models that identifies; the success factors, benefits and risks, together with how it was achieved, over what time frame and potential future growth or evolution pathways planned by each organisation.

Specifically, the investigation proposes to examine RecFish West (Western Australia), VR Fish (Victoria) and AFANT (Northern Territory). Each organisation is distinct in terms of the combination of;
1. Organisational structure, governance and length of operation (maturity)
2. Advocacy and lobbying approach and outcomes
3. Program and service delivery, including partnerships
4. Membership value, types and quantum
5. Funding source, security and quantum,
6. Relationships with key stakeholders and State Government
7. Community perception of organisation
8. Consideration of how each body determines the priorities and research and development needs of recreational fishers
The investigation will distil relevant insights for each jurisdiction and provide recommendations on preferred model(s) to work towards in the context of TARFish’s current state and future aspirations.

The project is of interest to the Tasmanian Government and they will provide some financial support to the project.

It is expected that there will be strong interest in this investigation from other jurisdictions who are in a similar position to TARFish including but not limited to – South Australia, Queensland and News South Wales as well as the national peak body ARFF.

Further, the research is likely to assist governments to understand potential alternative arrangements (SLA’s, funding, program delivery etc) with peak bodies that lead to improved outcomes for recreational fishers.