Aquaculture

Aquaculture Research Advisory Committee

Submission to ARAC for a research initiative

Download the submission to ARAC for a Research Initiative [PDF 47kb] - giving permit holders an opportunity to convey ideas and advise of the issues that may be constraining the growth of your business.

The Committee

Formation of the Aquaculture Research Advisory Committee (ARAC) was approved by the Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald MLC, in October 2005. The committee has replaced the Oyster Research Advisory Committee and the Advisory Council on Aquaculture.

ARAC is a statutory committee that advises the Minister on the amount of contributions payable by the NSW aquaculture industries into trust accounts for aquaculture research and development and the expenditure of those trust funds. The NSW prawn aquaculture industry is not included as it pays research levies directly to the Commonwealth.

ARAC is established under Section 157 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994.

Terms of Reference

Investigate and evaluate the requirement for aquaculture research and development in NSW, after consultation with NSW Aquaculture Industries and with reference to NSW, Australian and overseas experience, and whether funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation or otherwise;
Revise as appropriate Research and Development Plans for NSW aquaculture research and development and promote it to the wider research community;
Advise the appropriate NSW Fisheries Research Advisory bodies and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on NSW aquaculture research and development matters and priorities;
Advise the NSW Minister for Fisheries on the level of funding from industry required for aquaculture research and development in NSW and on its expenditure;
Oversee the management of annual contributions for aquaculture research collected under Section 156 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994, and placed in separate trust accounts under Section 157 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994.
Report on a regular basis, including an Annual Report based on a financial year, to the NSW Aquaculture industry, the NSW Minister for Primary Industries and NSW researchers on aquaculture research and development initiatives;
Facilitate the dissemination, adoption and commercialisation of the results of aquaculture research and development; and
Promote aquaculture research and development in NSW.

ARAC annual report 2007-2008

Aquaculture Research Advisory Committee Annual Report 2007-08 199.4 kb

Membership of ARAC as at October 2009

Professor Ian White (Chairperson)
Mr Geoff Diemar (industry representative)
Mr Tony Troup (industry representative)
Ms Milada Safarik (industry representative)
Mr Michael Wright (industry representative)
Mr Ewan McAsh (industry representative)
Mr Nick Arena (industry representative)
Dr Ali Bowman (Industry & Investment NSW)
Dr Geoff Allan (Industry & Investment NSW)
Dr Wayne O'Connor (Industry & Investment NSW)
Mr Ian Lyall (Industry & Investment NSW)
Ms Jo Pickles Executive Officer (Industry & Investment NSW)

All initial enquiries should be directed to the Executive Officer who can be contacted at the Port Stephens Fisheries Centre on (02) 4916 3901 or jo.pickles@industry.nsw.gov.au

Next meeting

The Aquaculture Research Advisory Committee (ARAC) will be meeting next on 29 October 2009. An update will be provided after the group meets.

Notes from previous meeting

Summary of Discussions from the Aquaculture Research Advisory Committee (ARAC) meeting held on 29 October 2009

ARAC met in Sydney on 29 October 2009. Professor Ian White introduced our new members Ms Milada Safarik, Mr Michael Wright and Mr Ewan McAsh. Ms Jane Frances (Aquatic Biosecurity) and Mr Justin Fromm (National Aquaculture Council) attended this meeting as observers and will also be invited to future meetings. Dr Ali Bowman attended as the new Director of Productivity and Food Security Research (taking over from Dr Trevor Gibson). This was the last meeting for Mr Rob McCormack, Mr Dominic Boyton and Ms Audrey Thors and Ian thanked them for their service. Ian welcomed everyone to this 9th meeting of ARAC.

1. The National Aquaculture Council (NAC) advised they will not pursue a national approach for the registration of Clove oil. The matter was discussed with NAC members and the broader industry, and although it is recognised that Clove oil is an effective anaesthetic and more cost-effective than other products, the constituents of Clove oil cannot be defined and every batch is different. It may also contain impurities that have unknown effects on aquatic animals or humans and therefore cannot be registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). I&I NSW together with the NSW Food Authority will now advise the aquaculture industry that the use of Clove oil is no longer permitted.

2. The Committee noted a letter from Dr Richard Sheldrake (Director-General) advising the consolidation of a number of government departments and the formation of Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW). The NSW Department of Primary Industries is now within I&I NSW.

3. ARAC discussed past oyster lease clean up programs and current actions underway. Members expressed concern about the cost of disposal including the imposition of a waste levy. Ian Lyall advised I&I NSW are seeking an exemption for the waste levy for clean up projects, but this seems unlikely when the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water who administer the disposal fee, also pay this disposal fee. This is an agenda item at POAG in December 2009.

4. Jane Frances provided an outline of the functions provided by the Aquatic Biosecurity Unit. Several current projects were discussed, one of these relating to winter mortality and Bonamia, and the need for a structured sampling program in 2010 in up to 4 estuaries to collect samples. Currently researchers at PSFI and EMAI are designing a structured pilot-scale investigation for 2010, that is strongly aligned with currently funded projects (to minimise additional costs, noting additional funds may still be required). It is also hoped that this pilot study of Winter Mortality in 2010 will pave the way for a subsequent research grant application.

5. The Committee had some minor corrections to the draft ARAC Annual Report 2008/2009. Once these changes are made, the Committee approves the report and it can be forwarded to the Minister.

6. At previous meetings, ARAC discussed scope in the current budget for a small land-based research project up to $20,000. The Committee agreed to streamline the process for identifying R&D priorities, evaluating those of highest priority to industry, and helping assess the likely cost benefit of developing and conducting research. A new form ‘Submission to ARAC for a Research Initiative’ was sent to all Aquaculture permit holders calling for research priorities. This gave farmers an opportunity to submit their ideas and advise of the issues constraining the growth of their business. The responses were collated and discussed at this meeting to determine which of these priorities can be resolved by research. It was agreed a broader canvas of land-based research priorities was needed to ensure we have firm research priorities before we seek expressions of interest for projects. ARAC agreed to write to all respondents advising of this outcome. The priority areas will be discussed further at the next meeting.

7. Ian Lyall advised of a proposal to hold a one day combined meeting of the NSW aquaculture consultative groups on 4 May 2010 at the Sydney Fish Markets. Invitees would include all members from ARAC, POAG, LBACG and aquaculture representatives from SIAC, FRAB and Seafood CRC. The aim of the meeting is to clarify the roles of the aquaculture consultative groups, identify industry development priorities, promote industry innovation, and facilitate networking between industry representatives, the Minster and representatives from FRDC, SFM and I&I NSW. ARAC gave support to proceed with the concept.

8. ARAC is progressing with an oral history and photographic archive of the NSW Oyster Industry. Professor Ian White updated the Committee on the progress so far. Steve McOrrie suggested a register of Historic Oyster Industry Information. This would entail a written invitation to oyster farmers to register with I&I the type of material they have available ie. photos, oral histories, equipment etc. The Committee supported this register and to proceed with mailing the invitations.

9. The oyster industry in upper Port Stephens (Karuah River) has recently experienced significant mortality and production is declining. The cause/s remain unexplained, but concerns have been raised over the potential impacts of mine effluent and leachate. Geoff Diemar and Wayne O’Connor have approached Newcastle University researchers, with expertise in this field, to see if they would be willing to assist and what might be a path of action. ARAC has given ‘in principle’ support to investigate funding sources for this research.

10. Peat Leith from the University of Tasmania has contacted ARAC about the National Adaptation Research Network for Marine Biodiversity and Resources (ARN-MBR), which is a hub of the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. They are currently running a project to identify and facilitate climate change adaptation in the Australian edible oyster industry. Tony Troup will represent ARAC to consult with ARN-MBR in relation this project and to ensure the project has good synergies with other ARAC initiatives.

11. Jane Frances also provided the following update about Ana Rubio working with Hawkesbury Council. In late 2004, NSW DPI commenced the QX Window of Infection experiment and continued for two years. Hawkesbury River oyster farmer John Stubbs and Hornsby Council undertook to continue this experiment in 2007 to present, hence five years of data has now been collected. It is hoped to publish this work (together with Rob Adlard’s work from Georges River) by the end of 2010. Collating and assessing this data will also be useful for industry and Hornsby Council to assess whether to continue with this work or some other area of interest.

Summary of notes from previous meeting

Oyster research and development

Oyster research and development projects being undertaken across Australia in 2005-2006

Oyster Research Advisory Committee publications

A complete list of Oyster Research Advisory Committee publications

A complete list of Oyster publications by NSW DPI staff from 1899