FRDC - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

A very happy new year from FRDC

The FRDC team loves to see Australian seafood feature in festive spreads - like this beautiful Prawn Christmas tree from FRDC’s own Carolyn Stewardson. Enjoy the best of what Australia has to offer – fresh, sustainable, nutritious and premium-quality seafood. Whether it’s prawns from Queensland, Oysters from New South Wales, Rock Lobster from Western Australia, Salmon from Tasmania or even Barramundi from the Northern Territory, Australian seafood is the perfect centrepiece for your Christmas celebrations. Choose locally sourced seafood - support Australia’s world-class seafood industry - help sustain regional communities and protect our oceans for generations to come.

From all of us at FRDC, we wish you safe travels over this holiday season, and look forward to a New Year bobbing with opportunities and exciting endeavours. FRDC offices will be closed from 24 December and returning on 2 January 2025. 

MEDIA RELEASE: AUSTRALIAN LIVE LOBSTER TO AGAIN DELIGHT CHINESE CONSUMERS The Australian seafood industry today celebrates the resumption of live lobster exports to mainland China.   This milestone represents the culmination of sustained cooperation between industry and government officials in both countries. Industry is grateful for the efforts of these officials in restoring live trade of Western, Southern and Eastern Rock Lobster. This critical achievement demonstrates that Australia-China trade relations are progressing positively, creating value and benefits for all involved.   However, there is still work to be done for Australian Tropical Rock Lobster, which remains constrained by a separate trade impediment. Industry welcomes further efforts between government officials in both countries to find a collaborative way forward on this issue to resume trade in sustainably-sourced lobster from the heavily impacted Torres Strait fishery.   Australian rock lobster has long been prized in China for its superior quality, taste and sustainability credentials. The resumption of trade will see this premium product once again available to Chinese consumers, while supporting thousands of jobs in Australia's coastal communities.   Industry looks forward to building stronger relationships with our valued Chinese partners and ensuring the long-term stability of this important trade relationship. Media Contact Sarah Bakic Seafood Industry Australia Communications Manager comms@seafoodindustryaustralia.com.au

Can ocean energy meet the aquaculture sector's energy demands? The answer from a recent FRDC-funded ‘AquaGrid’ study, looking specifically at Southern Ocean Mariculture as a case study is a definite “yes”.  Based on the findings of the feasibility study, Ocean Road Abalone | Southern Ocean Mariculture General Manager Hamish Ebery says the company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Azura as its technology supplier to implement the first scenario, with two 100kW wave units, which could be scaled up later. It’s a plan that could provide a pathway for aquaculture companies to reduce emissions as quickly as possible, securing sources of perpetual, reliable, affordable, secure and low-risk clean energy. Read more about the feasibility study here:   https://lnkd.in/grXbCu2d  

61 new projects, 20+ sponsored events - plus so much more. Take a quick look back at some of the highlights from a remarkable year of investment at FRDC. 

A unique opportunity was presented to trawl fishers in Mooloolaba, when artist Denise Lamby (www.bciart.com.au) and Peter Tilney sought approximately 3kms of old fishing rope for a unique sculpture. This incredible piece titled ‘Giant Ironbark Contribution’ won the Upcycle Art Sculpture award at Sculptures on the Edge 2024. Each stitch knitted by Denise is a reminder of the life these materials once held, reflecting a cycle of utility, abandonment and renewal. Denise acknowledges the fishers were very generous in not only supplying the rope but helping her accumulate and transport the rope. She has gained a newfound understanding and respect for the fishing sector, noting her admiration for the challenges fishers face in adapting to regulations and the pride they take in selectivity and maintaining best practices. FRDC continues to support its own three-year circular economy program, using practical and innovative measures to help transition the seafood sector towards achieving the benefits of a more circular economy system. You can find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gRigpwGt Top image: Credit to Barry John Aslop, Eyes Wide Open Images.

Calling all fishing and aquaculture businesses in Australia!     Want to learn how to save money, reduce waste, create a more sustainable business and create important partnerships with leaders in this field?     Join the FREE Circular Economy Workshop, being held in Brisbane on 26 - 28 Feb and discover how circular practices can benefit YOUR business!     Here's what you'll get:  Expert insights - Learn from industry leaders and implement proven circular strategies.  Skill development - Gain the knowledge and tools to create your own circular economy roadmap. Networking opportunities - Connect and partner with other businesses and experts in the region.  Cost savings - Reduce waste and extend equipment life to improve your bottom-line capacity. Spaces are limited - Register now! http://bit.ly/4gdkYXg  This program is hosted by the Regional Circularity Cooperative and funded by FRDC. 

Congratulations to Allara Global, FishTales (John Susman) and the Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries (Rachel King) for receiving not one, or two, but THREE prestigious 2024 LearnX Awards for the 13-part seafood safety training course on wild prawns.     This course was created directly from an investigation which uncovered significant knowledge gaps in the understanding of Australian Wild Prawns, including sustainability, species, provenance, handling and culinary applications.     The course has seen tremendous success, with over 12,000 registrations and more than 3,600 completions to date – setting a new benchmark for industry-specific training.     You can look at the videos at the Australian Wild Prawns website: https://lnkd.in/g-P3nSWU   This course was funded by FRDC under FRDC-Project 2021-092. 

The depths of our oceans are relatively unexplored – largely due to their sheer size as well as restrictions in accessibility and technology.     The West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Managed Fishery mainly targets crystal crabs (Chaceon albus) in depths of 450 – 700m between Western Australia’s West Coast and Gascoyne regions. A new FRDC benchmark study 2024-009 aims to identify additional crustacean resources in the boundaries of this fishery to see if there are new species that could be commercially targeted in this fishery.    Modified traps will be used to explore the grounds, including this Swedish inspired Scampi trap, pictured with the Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development Western Australia’s (DPIRD WA) Jack Parker.     Find out more about the project: https://lnkd.in/g4MZvxby