FRDC - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

Prue Davies (Professional fisher FV Wildcard and director of Oceanus Collective) and Lauren Thornton (NT Extension Officer for FRDC) enjoyed the heat down at the Frances Bay Marina (the duck pond) late last year, using the Stay afloat lunch and coffee cart as an opportunity to catch up and mingle with fishers. 

Interested in applying for FRDC's National Seafood Industry Leadership Program?    Discover what three successful graduates – Yang Wu, Adele Moyes, and Kate Lamason – gained from the program and their advice for future applicants.     Learn more about the program and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gmpgvzHi

The BOSS Baby 👶🦞 Researchers are unlocking critical knowledge on how changes to seagrass habitats affect the survival of early juvenile Western Rock Lobsters (Panulirus cygnus), a key species for Western Australia's high-value Rock Lobster fishery. Research by Dr Tim Langlois, University of Western Australia, found juvenile lobsters show a strong preference for dense seagrass habitats, particularly Amphibolis seagrass along the coast. These habitats are increasingly threatened by climate change, shifts in sand, and herbivorous sea urchins. To tackle this challenge, the team developed the Benthic Observation Survey System (BOSS)—a groundbreaking tool that uses underwater cameras to monitor seagrass health. This allows researchers and fishery managers to track habitat changes in real time and predict impacts on lobster populations 2-3 years in advance.  Read more about the projects experiments here: https://lnkd.in/g7pSB876 

Have your say on Applications 357 & 358 of the Australian Fish Names Standard.    The public consultation is open until 18 February 2025.    ➡️Application 357: To change the name of South American Flathead (Percophis brasiliensis) to South American Duckbill in the Fish Names Standard ➡️Application 358: To add the name Giant Ruby Snapper for Etelis boweni in the Fish Names Standard    Click here to get started:  https://lnkd.in/ghPFxmT6    Curious about fish names? Find out more:  https://lnkd.in/gG6amHmi 

Department of Primary Industries (Queensland) researcher Sam Williams and General Manager, Research and Investment at FRDC Crispian Ashby recently discussed the design of two fish traps and their potential application in QLD to harvest inshore finfish species such as barramundi. These traps are being considered for testing as part of an FRDC Project.    These two overseas fish trap designs are actively used to target black cod across North America and have not been tested in QLD water before.     A feature of these traps is that they are collapsible and therefore take up little space, an important consideration for fishers working in limited space on small boats. In addition to these two traps, a variety of traps designed by local fishers are also being considered for testing.     Find out more about the project: https://lnkd.in/g_NQZqnh  

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