13 March 2009
DAFF09/215B
Research into breeding problems jeopardising the future of the Western Rocklobster will be among 24 projects to share in more than $6 million from the Rudd Government.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke today announced the funding, through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).
Research projects through the Western Australia Department of Fisheries and University of Western Australia will investigate the falling rate of larval lobsters, known as 'puerulus', returning from the deep water spawning process.
The return of the puerulus, largely to inshore reefs, is an important part of the lobsters' development from larvae to adult lobsters.
The worrying trend could have serious implications for the future of the iconic Western Rocklobster, also known as crayfish.
The fishery is worth around $300 million a year, making it one of the most valuable single species fisheries in Australia.
It was the first fishery in the world to be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.
Other projects to share in the $6 million investment include research into Aboriginal fisheries in NSW to determine catch, the cultural significance of species and traditional fishing knowledge needs.
Another project in NSW will help to increase collaboration across aquaculture sectors and increase training among marine finfish and shellfish hatchery operators.
The Victorian Government will work with research groups to investigate the health of abalone populations and how to diagnose diseases.
Mr Burke said Australians loved buying fresh, high quality local seafood for dinner.
"This is the best seafood in the world and the Rudd Government is investing in research to help ensure our fishing industries have a vibrant future," Mr Burke said.
A list detailing all the projects to receive funding for 2009 is below.
The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation is funded by the Australian Government with contributions from the fishing and aquaculture industry.
Aboriginal fisheries in New South Wales: determining catch, cultural significance of species and traditional fishing knowledge needs (Southern Cross University, NSW $84,916.00)
This project will identify the key species of significance to traditional ownership groups, quantify the catch and develop a research program that will assist in developing research capacity in the indigenous sector
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: surveys of ornamental fish for pathogens of quarantine significance (University of Sydney $453,136.00)
This project will examine whether diseases/pathogens of quarantine risk are entering the country to assist refine current quarantine practices if needed for ornamental fish.
Innovative production research hub: getting the most from collaboration (NSW Department of Primary Industries $411,153.00)
This project aims to increase communication and collaboration among the aquaculture industry and research participants. It will also assist to increase the exchange of technology and training among marine finfish and shellfish hatchery operators.
Taking female mud crabs (Scylla serrata): assessment of risks and benefits (Qld Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries $68,085.00)
The project aims to evaluate the risks and benefits of allowing the harvest of female mud crabs in Queensland.
Sustaining productivity of tropical red snappers using new monitoring and reference points (Qld Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries $102,481.00)
The project aims to analyse current monitoring and logbook data sets, as well as survey and other information, to establish whether these data provide sufficient power to develop critical indicators of fishery performance. It will also develop a monitoring program that uses commercial vessels from the fishery to provide independent data.
Fish stocking programs: are there long term genetic and ecological impacts? (Qld Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries $598,522.00)
The objective of this project is to assess movements and ecological impacts of stocked barramundi and determine if stocking has any discernable adverse genetic impacts on wild populations in a previously stocked river system.
Movement patterns and stock structure of Australian sardine (Sardinops sagax) off South Australia and the East Coast: implications for future stock assessment and management (South Australian Research and Development Institute $248,798.00)
The project will determine whether or not additional spatial management (zones) would be needed to support a future increase in the Total Allowable Catch in the SA Sardine Fishery; and determine the degree to which estimates of spawning biomass from waters off northern NSW and southern QLD reflect the size of the entire eastern Australian sardine stock.
Linking careers, research and training - a pilot for the seafood industry (Seafood Training Centre of Excellence, South Australia $103,750.00)
The project will assist to develop pathways for seafood industry participants to learn, and develop a process whereby seafood enterprises can use the most up-to-date research outcomes in their company training and operations.
To develop the Marine Discovery Centres network and promote research findings with school aged children (Star of the Sea Marine Discovery Centre, South Australia $183,250.00)
This project aims to develop hands on educational tools that will be used at Marine Discovery Centres around Australia.
Population biology of albacore tuna in the Australian region (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Tasmania $235,918.00)
The project will assist determine reproductive-based stock parameters for South Pacific albacore including sex ratio statistics, maturity schedule(s), spawning fraction and batch fecundity (by size/age) using macroscopic and modern histological techniques.
Rebuilding Ecosystem Resilience: Assessment of management options to minimise formation of ‘barrens’ habitat by the long-spined sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii) in Tasmania (University of Tasmania $428,550.00)
This project will assess the effectiveness of a range of management options to limit the expansion of sea urchin barrens.
Mapping the distribution and movement of gulper sharks, and developing a non-extractive monitoring technique, to underpin a stock rebuild within a multi-sector fishery region off southern and eastern Australia (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Tasmania $867,796.00)
This project aims to map the current distribution of gulper sharks in eastern Australia; measure the rates of movement of gulper sharks in and out of closed areas; and develop methods for long term monitoring of gulper shark populations.
Ecological risk assessment for effects of fishing on habitats and communities (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Tasmania $120,425.00)
This project builds on previous research in the areas of ecological risk assessment for the effects of fishing and which provides a hierarchical risk assessment approach to assist fisheries to understand and respond to their ecological risks, in particular to satisfy requirements under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act.
Australasian Aquaculture 2010 to 2014 (National Aquaculture Council, Tasmania $320,000.00)
Australasian Aquaculture is Australia’s premier aquaculture conference. It provides an international forum for Australian aquaculture stakeholders to identify pathways to sustainable aquaculture development.
Tactical research Fund: industry monitoring and sampling of Gulper shark catches in the SESSF (Fishwell Consulting, Victoria $72,031.00)
This project aims to increase gulper shark identification skills of Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery industry members to facilitate the collection of meaningful catch and effort data in commercial logbooks; and then scientifically verify the veracity of industry identification of gulper sharks through DNA samples.
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Characterisation of abalone herpes-like virus infections in abalone (CSIRO Livestock Industries, Victoria $601,294.00)
This project will validate the newly developed test for abalone herpes-like virus, and roll out to other states; examine virus transmission and determine the susceptibility of remnant populations of abalone previously exposed to AVG and known unexposed wild populations in South Australia.
Fisheries Social Sciences Research Coordination Program (KAL Analysis Pty Ltd, Victoria $258,504.00)
This project will establish a social research coordination program that will identify social research priorities and facilitate the development of research projects.
Empowering industry R&D: developing an industry driven R&D model for the Australian fishing and seafood industry - partnerships to improve efficiency, profitability and performance (Fishwell Consulting, Victoria $445,600.00)
This project will help empower and build capacity within the broader seafood and fishing industry to identify and initiate relevant R&D projects with suitable partners.
National Seafood Industry Leadership Program: 2009-2011(Rural Training Initiatives, Victoria $276,179.00)
This project aims to address the shortage of industry leaders in all sectors of the fishing industry.
The three M's project - mentors, mentorees and mentoring seafood project (Rural Training Initiatives, Victoria $106,500.00)
This project aims to link senior seafood industry figures with new and emerging leaders.
Determination of the diets of Snapper and Silver Trevally and construction of a food web for the demersal fish community in south-western Australia (Murdoch University, Western Australia $74,500.00)
The project aims to determine the diets of Snapper and Silver Trevally on the lower west coast of Australia and how they change with body size and season.
Identifying factors affecting the low western rock lobster puerulus settlement in recent years (Department of Fisheries Western Australia $408,402.00)
The project will assess environmental factors such as climate change (water temperature, current, wind, productivity, eddies) and breeding stock affecting puerulus settlement.
Evaluating the potential use of change-in-ratio and index removal techniques for determining harvest rates and efficiency increases in the Western Rock Lobster Fishery (Department of Fisheries Western Australia $130,250.00)
The project will assess current data sources and their potential for estimating harvest rates and increases in efficiency in the western rock lobster fishery using change in ratio and index removal techniques; and evaluate whether additional sources of information are needed to produce more robust estimates of harvest rate and efficiency increase.
Evaluation of population genetic structure in the western rock lobster (University of Western Australia $165,985.00)
This project aims to estimate effective population size of western rock lobster and test for severe bottlenecks in population size.