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Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) is a co-funded partnership between its two stakeholders, the Australian Government and the fishing and aquaculture sectors.

FRDC’s role is to plan and invest in fisheries research, development and extension (RD&E) activities in Australia. This includes providing leadership and coordination of the monitoring, evaluating and reporting on RD&E activities, facilitating dissemination, extension and commercialisation. The FRDC achieves this through coordinating government and industry investment, including stakeholders to establish and address RD&E priorities. In addition the FRDC monitors and evaluates the adoption of RD&E to inform future decisions.

FRDC has a significant responsibility in ensuring, on behalf of the Australian Government, that research is undertaken to assist in the management of the fisheries and aquaculture resource for ongoing sustainability. This means that a significant proportion of funding is directed at research that has a benefit for the three sectors of the fishing industry: commercial (wild catch and aquaculture), recreational and indigenous and also delivers a public good benefit to the Australian community.

Seaweed

Ocean farmed seaweed harvests underway

This year marks Australia’s first harvests of commercial-grade, farmed ocean seaweeds – the first in September, the second in November. Both harvests, in Tasmania, have occurred under the auspices of the Seaweed Solutions Cooperative Research Centres Project (CRC-P), funded through the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.  

  • Led by
    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
Prawns

Prawn fishery counts its natural capital

Natural capital accounting can help fisheries businesses assess the risks and opportunities associated with the ecosystem assets they rely on. 

 

A new study is looking at the prawn-producing habitat in the estuary – made up of saltmarsh, seagrasses and mangroves – with a view to understanding how this natural capital supports the fishery’s productivity and to value its contribution through the use of natural capital accounting.

  • Led by
    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
Fisheries

Sound analysis expands its reach

An extension of the acoustic network around the Australian coastline is set to provide new information about tagged fish and other marine species, helping to improve fisheries management.

 

Dotted around Australia’s extensive coastline are hundreds of acoustic marine receivers – listening stations that form part of a national network, tracking the progress of tagged marine animals as they travel to feed, breed and play.

  • Led by
    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
Fisheries

Tuna story to inspire new generation of fishers

The remarkable story behind the recovery of Southern Bluefin Tuna from an endangered species to a globally sustainable fishery is told in a recently released Australian documentary. 

 

The combined efforts of Australian science, industry innovation and community education have been showcased in the documentary Life on the line − The story of the Southern Bluefin Tuna, which tells the story of how these highly prized, temperate ocean dwellers were brought back from the brink of commercial extinction.

  • Led by
    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
Sea Urchin

Multi pronged strategy targets invasive urchins

A coalition of research, government and industry partners is working to bring invasive sea urchins under control in Tasmania, with a mix of biological and market solutions. 

 

The Shortspined Sea Urchin (Heliocidaris erythrogramma) occurs naturally in Tasmanian waters and exists in harmony with the local ecosystem. However, the Longspined Sea Urchin is an unwelcome visitor, and a badly behaved one at that.  

  • Led by
    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
Oysters

Breeding efforts enhance production for Sydney Rock Oysters

Greater control over breeding processes is producing faster-growing, fatter and more resilient Sydney Rock Oysters, helping the native species gain ground in the marketplace. 

 

  • Led by
    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
Oysters

Environmental updates in a heartbeat

Real-time reports from sentinel oysters could provide an early warning of changing water conditions. 

Investigator Ashfaqur Rahman, who leads CSIRO’s data analytics team at Data61, explains that as the environment changes, the behaviour of animals – including oysters – changes in response. 

  • Led by
    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

Commercial opportunities

Browse all commercial opportunities
Logo for Electronic platforms to increase safety at sea for commercial fishing fleets
Wild catch fisheries

Electronic platforms to increase safety at sea for commercial fishing fleets

Opportunity for

  • Solution providers, innovators, research providers and policy makers to build upon outputs of research outlined in this opportunity to improve maritime safety
  • Led by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Opportunity type

    Seeking interest, Seeking solutions, Seeking partners

  • Readiness
    Early (TRL 1-4)
    Describes the challenge or opportunity being pursued and undertakes preliminary R&D to determine if the concept is feasible.
Logo for Minimising plastic in the western rock lobster industry
Wild catch fisheries

Minimising plastic in the western rock lobster industry

Opportunity for

  • Solution providers, innovators, research providers and policy makers that can reduce plastic use in the Australian western rock lobster industry, including by building upon outputs of research outlined in this opportunity.
  • Led by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Opportunity type

    Seeking interest, Seeking solutions, Seeking partners

  • Readiness
    Early (TRL 1-4)
    Describes the challenge or opportunity being pursued and undertakes preliminary R&D to determine if the concept is feasible.
Logo for Practical technologies for Perfluoroalkyl (PFA) remediation in marine fish hatcheries
Aquaculture

Practical technologies for Perfluoroalkyl (PFA) remediation in marine fish hatcheries

Opportunity for

  • Solution providers, innovators, research providers and policy makers to build on outputs of research into practical technologies for Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) remediation in marine fish hatcheries
  • Led by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Opportunity type

    Seeking interest, Seeking solutions, Seeking partners

  • Readiness
    Early (TRL 1-4)
    Describes the challenge or opportunity being pursued and undertakes preliminary R&D to determine if the concept is feasible.

Research projects

Other research projects
Logo for People development program: Aquatic animal health training scheme - Dr Susan Kueh
Multiple industries

People development program: Aquatic animal health training scheme - Dr Susan Kueh

Lack of easy access to fish health veterinary services is limiting the expansion of aquaculture in Western Australia. This project will fund a Principal Investigator to complete an intensive aquatic animal health fellowship program at the The Australian College of Veterinary Scientists to benefit the fisheries industry.
  • Funded by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Project date

    28 Aug 2011 - 14 Dec 2021

  • Research organisation

    Murdoch University

Logo for Oysters Australia IPA: Australian edible oyster RD&E investment via Oysters Australia strategic plan 2014-2019
Multiple industries

Oysters Australia IPA: Australian edible oyster RD&E investment via Oysters Australia strategic plan 2014-2019

This project, an Industry Partnership Agreement (IPA) between Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and Oysters Australia (OA), was instigated to manage project development between and within OA's member states and co-ordinate access to the most suitable funding sources for RD&E goals. During the life of the four-year project, 33 oyster R&D projects to the value of $10.1 million were conducted, with the IPA involved in all but three projects.
  • Funded by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Project date

    30 Jun 2015 - 29 Jun 2019

  • Research organisation

    Oysters Australia Ltd

Logo for Understanding flesh colour variation in Atlantic salmon: Molecular mechanisms and genetic effect
Aquaculture

Understanding flesh colour variation in Atlantic salmon: Molecular mechanisms and genetic effect

This project made critical findings on flesh colour variation in Atlantic Salmon in Tasmania. The investigation into the correlation of colour variation with high seawater temperature delivered new insights into thermal tolerance and genetics in Atlantic salmon, and their performance in a context of climate change and global warming.
  • Funded by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Project date

    31 May 2015 - 31 May 2019

  • Research organisation

    University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)

Logo for Australian Rural Leadership Program Courses 24, 25 and 26
Multiple industries

Australian Rural Leadership Program Courses 24, 25 and 26

This project invested in Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) courses to develop leaders for the fishing industry who are capable of meeting unique and complex challenges at all levels of industry and across all sectors.
  • Funded by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Project date

    15 Jun 2016 - 18 Nov 2020

  • Research organisation

    Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF)

Logo for ACPF IPA: Australian wild caught prawn sector RD&E management and communication
Wild catch fisheries

ACPF IPA: Australian wild caught prawn sector RD&E management and communication

This project enables the Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries Ltd (ACPF) to co-ordinate, commission and extend its RD&E investments to shore up its promotional strategy, build on its outstanding sustainability score card and achieve stronger social licence.
  • Funded by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Project date

    30 Mar 2016 - 29 Jun 2021

  • Research organisation

    Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries Ltd (ACPF)

Logo for National People Development: Membership of PIEFA to support and encourage the teaching and learning in Australian schools of information related to the Australian Fishing Industry
Multiple industries

National People Development: Membership of PIEFA to support and encourage the teaching and learning in Australian schools of information related to the Australian Fishing Industry

This project supported Fisheries Research and Development Corporation's (FRDC) membership of the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA), a not for profit organisation that aims to engage and inform students, teachers and the broader community about the role and importance of primary industries in the Australian economy, environment and wider community, and the career opportunities available within the food and fibre supply chain.
  • Funded by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Project date

    30 Jun 2016 - 29 Jun 2019

  • Research organisation

    Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA)

Logo for Coordination of the National Priority 1 Subprogram: To ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so
Multiple industries

Coordination of the National Priority 1 Subprogram: To ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so

This project built further on progress toward meeting National Priority 1 objectives for the industry, to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so.
  • Funded by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Project date

    1 Jan 2017 - 19 Dec 2020

  • Research organisation

    Oceanomics Pty Ltd

Logo for Innovation in the seafood sector and the development of capacity
Multiple industries

Innovation in the seafood sector and the development of capacity

This project funded Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) allowed participation in a boot camp and innovation accelerator workshops with pioneering Australian start-up incubator and consultancy, Pollenizer, to develop capacity and encourage innovation in the seafood sector.
  • Funded by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Project date

    31 Jan 2017 - 30 Dec 2018

  • Research organisation

    Pollenizer Pty Ltd

Logo for Transitioning cobia aquaculture research and development in Queensland to industry
Aquaculture

Transitioning cobia aquaculture research and development in Queensland to industry

Cobia is a fin fish with a rapid growth rate and high quality flesh that make it a good candidate for aquaculture. This project sought to seamlessly transition cobia research and development in Australia to a fully vertically integrated industry production model.
  • Funded by

    Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

  • Project date

    14 Dec 2019 - 30 Aug 2021

  • Research organisation

    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF)

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