Senator Richard Colbeck, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, announced the funding and said the investment builds on Australia’s credentials as a leader in sustainable and science-based fisheries management.
“Australia 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. This new round of funding will help ensure we stay at the leading edge.”
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 values associated with Indigenous customary fishing.
“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," Senator Colbeck said.
Other projects include:
- Low cost management regimes for sustainable, small low-value fisheries based on coastal inshore species.
- Maximise yield or minimise risk in the Blacklip Abalone fishery: using biological data to direct abalone harvest strategies.
- Future Proofing Western Australia’s Iconic Marron.
- Improving Indigenous Australian access to and involvement in the management and use of Australia's fisheries resources.
The FRDC is funded by the Australian Government with contributions from the fishing and aquaculture industry.
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