Minimising plastic in the western rock lobster industry

Opportunity for

• Solution providers, innovators, research providers and policy makers that can build upon outputs of research outlined in this opportunity to reduce plastic use in the Australian western rock lobster industry

Opportunity description

Industry challenge: Reduction of plastic waste inputs from within the fishing industry will reduce risks and impacts to ecosystems, stocks and human health and food security. This will also address a source of social license risk.

Research has identified sources of plastic use within the Australian western rock lobster fishery, and improved understanding of reasons for their specification. With this knowledge, existing plastic alternatives (for example LIMEX which is 'plastic' manufactured from limestone) have been scoped and assessed for their viability and environmental friendliness.

Although western rock lobsters will be the immediate beneficiary of any adoption of alternatives identified, there is scope for benefit throughout wild catch fisheries where like or similar plastic substitutions can also be adapted/adopted.

Current opportunity

Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) is seeking engagement from organisations that have potential innovative solutions, research project ideas, novel approaches to build upon outputs of the work described above to address this plastic reduction challenge. 'Enquire now' to discuss potential approaches with FRDC.

Read more about this opportunity here: Australian aquaculture is brimming with opportunities