Out and about engaging with stakeholders

FRDC has undertaken a number of valuable stakeholder engagement activities through the events we have sponsored and that our Directors and staff have attended over the last month. Below are the highlights for the events attended so far:

• Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Outlook 2023
• Ultimate Fishing expo
• World Recreational Fishing Conference (WRFC)
• International Seaweed Symposium (ISS)
• evoke^AG "Down to Earth"
• Celebrating Victorian Seafood in Apollo Bay
• The Wooden Boat Festival

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Outlook 2023

The ABARES Outlook 2023 Conference was held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra in early March and some FRDC staff attended some of the session.

Peter Gooday, Assistant Secretary of Farm Performance, Biosecurity and Information branch and Chief Commodity Analyst at ABARES) presented on productivity and growth in the sector. The analysis demonstrated that every $1 invested in R&D resulted in a $8 impact. The results also showed that R&D is making a significant difference in productivity across the sector.

Patrick Hone, Managing Director of FRDC, hosted a Fisheries and Aquaculture session focused on 'adapting to a changing world'.

• Robert Curtotti (leads ABARES fisheries economics section) set the scene with an 'outlook to 2028'.
• Robert Carne (CEO of the Aboriginal Sea Company) discussed Aboriginal participation in 'social economic and environmentally sustainable marine businesses.
• Julie Petty (Policy and Project Officer, Seafood Industry Australia) discussed 'fishing for alternative fuels: what are the opportunities?'
• Jo Kelly (CEO of Australian Seaweed Institute) discussed 'Seaweed: an emerging regenerative industry for Australia'.

One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation of twelve Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The FRDC sponsored award was won by Tristan Guillemin for his project on improving the understanding of the diet of commercially and environmentally important pelagic fish species like tuna and marlin, by analysing the species these fish depend on for food. See article in March FRDC News.

< Back to top >

Ultimate Fishing expo

As a major sponsor of the World Recreational Fishing Conference, FRDC also participated in the spectacular Ultimate Fishing Expo, organised and delivered by the Victorian Fisheries Authority.

Expo visitors were treated to fishing simulators, the latest innovations in fishing gear, free prizes and engaging talks from the organisations and experts working within the Recreational Fishing industry.

Key presenters included Paul Worsteling (IFISH TV), Indy Thompson (from Tuna Champions), Ben Scullin (Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body (VRFish)), Terry George (Australian Trout Foundation), to name a few!

The Women in Recreational Fishing Network also presented on the future of fishing for women, and the activities the network is doing to encourage fishing participation for women of all ages.

There were also some more famous faces who came visited the Expo and joined in on the fun, such as Robson Green - British actor and Extreme Fishing TV Presenter and Patrick Dangerfield - Australian Rules Football player.

This event was a great opportunity for FRDC staff to engage with anglers and talk about the research and extension work that FRDC invests in to help guide and improve the fresh water and marine environment for all users, including recreational fishers.

< Back to top >

World Recreational Fishing Conference (WRFC)

FRDC was a major sponsor of the 10th World Recreational Fishing conference held over three days in Melbourne in February. The conference included thought-provoking keynote speeches and presentations.

The first day began with a welcome to country ceremony conducted by representatives from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people, the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the event was held. The conference was officially opened by the Victorian Minister for Fishing and Boating the Hon. Sonya Kilkenny.

Steve Moyer, Vice President of Trout Unlimited, then gave an informative presentation on the power of angler stewardship and the important connection between fisheries and water managers.

Sacsha Clark Danylchuk Executive Director of Keep Fish Wet, a US-based non-profit, dedicated to helping anglers improve the outcome for each fish they release, also provided insights on the science and social norms of fish handling.

Day two saw Stan Lui Torres Strait Islander from Erub (Darnley Island) in the top eastern Torres Strait, and a senior manager with State and Commonwealth Fisheries Management Agencies, and Aquaculture Development and Natural Resource Management, talk about the connection between First Nations people and recreational fishing.

"Listening and sharing important information - we are all part of one community in the Torres Strait," he said.

A major highlight from the WRFC was the release of the National Social and Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers 2018-2021, by the Hon. Rob Mitchell federal MP for McEwen in Victoria, on behalf of the Hon. Minister Murray Watt, Commonwealth Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The survey revealed that one in five Australians recreationally fish, and that the industry is home to over 100,000 jobs and worth $11 billion. Read more about the survey.

The World Recreational Fishing Conference awards were held on the evening of day two of the WRFC.

Key winners included:

• Rex Hunt (Significant Recognition Award)
• Keep Fish Wet (Best communications and Outreach program)
• OzFish Unlimited/BCF (Best partnership or Collaboration)
• Women in Recreational Fishing Network (Best Project Promotion Diverse and Inclusive Participation in Recreational Fishing)

These are just some of the organisations that were recognised for their contribution to the recreational fishing sector.

The final day of the conference focused on climate change with Beth Nyboer a freshwater and conservation scientist, exploring the vulnerability of our fish, fisheries, and foods, due to rapid change in water temperatures globally.

FRDC Managing Director Patrick Hone, and some Future Young Leaders, wrapped up the conference with a special keynote presentation discussing collaboration, the value of habitat, and the vision for the future.

FRDC was honoured to be involved with and sponsor the WRFC and our young leaders including a number of indigenous and First Nations bursary recipients from the Torres Strait.

Indigenous and First Nations bursary recipients from the Torres Strait

< Back to top >

International Seaweed Symposium (ISS)

The International Seaweed Symposium took place in Hobart from 19 - 24 February. As one of the sponsors of the event, several FRDC Directors and Staff attended.

Over 400 delegates from a range of backgrounds and countries participated and provided insight on how different nations and cultures are leveraging the opportunities and challenges of working with seaweed.

Key talks included:

• Eun Kyoung Hwang from the National Institute of Fisheries Science discussed the current trends and the future of seaweed in Korea.
• Prof. Chris Hepburn, Director, Aquaculture and Fisheries Programme at the University of Otago, presented on support for community-led restoration of kelp forest ecosystems and associated fisheries.
• Josh Fielding Senior Research Portfolio Manager at FRDC, discussed past, present and future seaweed research investments.
• Prof. Catriona Macleod interim Executive Director and Centre Head of Ecology and Biodiversity, at the University of Tasmania, discussed the commercial and environmental opportunities for Seaweed in Tasmania and Australia.
• Shelby Shumacher PhD Student at the University of the Sunshine Coast, presented on the FRDC project 2019-032 (Seaweed Production as a Nutrient offset for Moreton Bay) and quantifying the environmental and social benefits of seaweed farming.

One of the other highlights for Josh Fielding was visiting Sea Forest on Tasmania's east coast, he was accompanied by representatives from the Marine Bioproducts CRC.

"They are a long way down the road of Asparagopsis production. They have closed the life cycle of the seaweed, produce it in different ways and have established processes to be able to change the genetics of the seaweed," Josh said.

FRDC was a gold partner for the ISS along with University of Tasmania, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS and Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre.

< Back to top >

evoke^AG "Down to Earth"

evokeAG was another spectacular event attended by FRDC Directors and staff. Over 1,600 delegates from 18 different countries, descended on the Adelaide Convention Centre for the Asia Pacific regions' premier agrifood tech event. The aim of evokeAG is to bring the community together to explore how global agrifood innovation and tech intersect to drive change for our food, farmers, and the natural resources that sustain them.

Reintroduced after a two-year hiatus, the event was organised by AgriFutures Australia, and the theme of the event was "Down to Earth".

AgriFutures Australia Chair, Cathy McGowan AO, said, "I've long been a supporter of evokeAG and the critical role it plays in kickstarting the conversations and connections that ignite agrifood tech innovation."

FRDC was part of the joint Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations sponsorship of the Future Young Leaders program and helped host a stand for all RDC representatives to gather and mingle with the future young leaders of the agri-sectors involved in the event.

With a broad range of global speakers, the sessions investigated diverse solutions to current and future human activities, such as,"Turning a blue industry green" that explored the increasing global appetite for sustainably sourced seafood, fishery and aquaculture products. Panellists in this session discussed the focus on finding solutions to overcome some of the challenges associated with aquaculture seafood operations. Theyspoke about how they are turning a blue industry green and the innovations that are driving a circular approach to deliver on environmental, social and economic bottom lines.The panel included Dr Lucy Buxton, Director of Ocean Decade Australia, David Carter, CEO of Austral Fisheries and Dr Adam Main, General Manager of CH4 Australia.

Another alternative topic was a session entitled: "M.J. Bale and Sea Forest Create World-first Carbon Neutral Wool" where the speakers discussed how Australia's first carbon-neutral fashion brand (M.J. Bale), partnered with Sea Forest, an environmental technology company based in Tasmania, to further decarbonise their clothing manufacturing operation. Merino sheep from Kingston, the conservationist farm in the Tasmanian northern Midlands were fed methane reducing asparagopsis, a native red Australian seaweed, and the wool from these sheep went into the world's first net zero suit.

evoke^AG maintained a high-energy, positive atmosphere throughout with potential investors appearing to share a common view that agribusiness and ag-tech is having a "moment in the sun" from an investment perspective.

< Back to top >

Celebrating Victorian Seafood in Apollo Bay 

Thousands flocked to Apollo Bay, the small idyllic town on Victoria's surf coast for the annual Apollo Bay Seafood festival held on 19 February. The event showcases and celebrates the best of Victoria's seafood and its thriving commercial and recreational fishing community.  

From exclusive seafood dinners in Apollo Bay and the Otways, to live cooking demonstrations, music and kids activities, the seafood festival had something for everyone.  

Over 5000 people made their way down to the Apollo Bay Harbour to sample Lobster rolls, seafood dumplings, paellas, octopus skewers, southern rock lobster, abalone sashimi, Apollo Bay Bakeries' famous Scallop Pies, calamari cones and more. With a focus on smaller, local businesses, visitors had the opportunity to try some of Victoria's finest wines, beers and even spirits from Apollo Bay's own local distillery.  

Presented by The Victorian Fisheries Authority, the festival included wonderful cooking demonstrations, including one presented by former River Cottage Australia host, Paul West.  

FRDC was proud to support the festival alongside the Abalone Council Victoria, Seafood Industry Victoria, Australian Marine Parks and Deakin University, who also gave visitors the chance to explore and discover the creatures, environment and the history of the Apollo Bay Marine Park using Virtual Reality headsets.  

Former River Cottage Australia Host, Paul West cooks up Octopus for the hungry crowds.

Over 5000 people attended the festival.

Visitors to the FRDC stand collect recipes.

< Back to top >

The Wooden Boat Festival

It's touted as the largest celebration of wooden boats and maritime culture in the Southern Hemisphere - and it certainly lived up to its promise.  

From 10 - 13 February, the Wooden Boat Festival held at Hobart's historic waterfront, was a drawcard for thousands of visitors from interstate and overseas. 

The festival is a showcase of traditional wooden boats, from tiny rowboats to large sailing ships. The Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council gave visitors the opportunity to sample Tasmania's world-renowned seafood and FRDC was proud support them and be part of this unique event.  

The event provided FRDC's Tasmanian Extension Officer, David Maynard, the opportunity to connect with our local commercial fishers, recreational fishers and the general community.  

The boats weren't the only drawcard for visitors, a swath of chefs showcased some of Australia's finest seafood at the Eat More Tassie Seafood marquee. Guests were shown how to prepare abalone, oysters, fish and Southern Rock Lobster and learned new techniques to make the most of Tasmania's riches from the sea. 

Trish Hosge and Bryan Denny also shared stories of the rich indigenous history of Eastern Tasmania and why local seafood has been part of their culture for thousands of years. Bryan and Trish demonstrated some of the traditional methods used to cook Periwinkles (Turbo undulatus) and Greenlip Abalone (Haliotis laevigata), while also using a modern twist in their serving.  

Trish Hosge and Bryan Denny preparing Periwinkles and Greenlip Abalone

Other activities such as boat races, boat building workshops and music performances were also popular during the festival. Visitors were also treated to guided tours of historic boats and buildings and learn about Tasmania's maritime history. 

Thousands descend onto Kings Pier Marina

< Back to top >

This article reflects R&D Plan Outcomes 1, 2, 5

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.