Australia’s fisheries are set to benefit from 22 new research projects that are part of a AUS$6.5m investment by the Australian Government’s Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).
Key research projects will focus on reducing bycatch and interaction with other marine species and developing more flexible and responsive management approaches. This includes a project by the FRDC Indigenous Reference Group to map livelihood value associated with indigenous customary fishing.
Australian has an excellent record when it comes to the sustainability of our fisheries they are well managed and will continue to be so under this Government’s watch, said Senator Richard Colbeck, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture. This new round of funding will help ensure we stay at the leading edge.
We are committed to working effectively with the indigenous fishing community and ensuring their views are understood and heard. Enhancing the interactions between indigenous fisheries and broader fisheries management was a Coalition election commitment, he added.
Other projects include low cost management regimes for sustainable, small low-value fisheries based on coastal inshore species, future-proofing Western Australia’s iconic marron, improving indigenous Australian access to fisheries resources, and maximise yield or minimise risk in the Blacklip Abalone fishery.
The FRDC is funded by the Australian Government with contributions from the fishing industry and aquaculture industry.
Mercator Media Ltd 2014