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.

ARAC - meet your industry representatives 115Kb

Terms of Reference

1. 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;
2. Revise as appropriate Research and Development Plans for NSW aquaculture research and development and promote it to the wider research community;
3. Advise the appropriate NSW Fisheries Research Advisory bodies and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on NSW aquaculture research and development matters and priorities;
4. 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;
5. 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.
6. 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;
7. Facilitate the dissemination, adoption and commercialisation of the results of aquaculture research and development; and
8. Promote aquaculture research and development in NSW.

ARAC annual report 2008-2009

• Aquaculture Research Advisory Committee Annual Report 2009-10  173.5 KB
  
• Aquaculture Research Advisory Committee Annual Report 2008-09  226.5 KB
  

Membership of ARAC as at September 2011

• 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 Russell Sydenham(industry representative)
  
• Dr Geoff Allan (NSW Department of Primary Industries)
• Dr Wayne O'Connor (NSW Department of Primary Industries)
• Mr Ian Lyall (NSW Department of Primary Industries)
  
• Ms Jo Pickles Executive Officer (NSW Department of Primary Industries)

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 19 April 2012 (Sydney). 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 24 November 2011

ARAC met in Port Stephens on 24 November 2011.  Professor Ian White welcomed everyone to this 15th meeting of ARAC and in particular, Mr Russell Sydenham who joins the Committee as a land-based representative.  Ms Brigid Krug (representing the Aquatic Biosecurity team) and Mr Anthony Zammit (NSW Food Authority) attend ARAC meetings as observers.  

1. The FRAB have endorsed a detailed proposal to SIAC for industry to take on the responsibility of running the FRAB.  ARAC endorsed the proposed structure and at today’s meeting nominated Ms Milada Safarik as the ARAC member to represent aquaculture, to ensure there is a strong and consistent link with our Committee.  This appointment will be on an annual basis and will ensure the ARAC representative is a current member on ARAC and closely involved with discussions and decisions from ARAC.  The NSW FRAB will meet on 7 December 2011 at the Sydney Fish Markets.
2. On 23 November, ARAC held a special meeting day (in Port Stephens) to conduct a major review of the ARAC RD&E Strategic Plan to encompass the next five years (2012-2017).  Strategic R&D planning assists industry and funding agencies to understand the issues that constrain profitability and industry growth.  It helps identify what projects are needed to address those constraints.  The Committee wrote to all aquaculture permit holders, aquaculture associations and relevant committees (ie. LBACG & POAG) seeking input into the Strategic Plan that will benefit you and your industry.  38 submissions were received that will help us reflect the needs of industry and it is hoped the new plan will be completed by mid February 2012.
3. After the 21 July 2011 meeting, ARAC wrote to Minister Hodgkinson about the On-site Sewage Management System project which was unsuccessful in gaining funding from the NSW Environmental Trust.  The Committee believed this was a great project to engage Councils to highlight the importance of management of OSMS in oyster harvest areas and sought guidance on other possible funding sources.  Anthony Zammit advised of an Inquiry into the Regulation of Domestic Wastewater by NSW Parliament.  This inquiry is a current Legislative Assembly inquiry conducted by the Environment and Regulation Committee.  ARAC are pleased this inquiry is underway and will await the report (expected mid 2012). 
4. At the July 2011 meeting, ARAC provided ‘in principle’ support for the proposal outlining the formation of Oysters Australia.  However, the proposal raised a number of issues requiring consideration and ARAC has formally requested further details of the OA structure and subsequent confirmation of industry support before a recommendation on financial support can be made to the Minister.
5. SafeFish provided a copy of their latest comments to Codex Australia for consideration on the Proposed Draft Guidelines on Viruses in Foods in September 2011.  ARAC noted there was not an Australian participant at the Codex meetings.
6. Printed copies of the Final Report from the OsHV International Workshop held in Cairns on 9-10 July 2011 were made available at today’s meeting (the report was emailed to all committee members on 8-11-11).
7. The Aquatic Biosecurity team advised DAFF and FRDC have put out EOIs for limited funding (total of $75,000 with funding of up to $15,000 per sector) to support national workshops/activities for individual fisheries and aquaculture sectors to enhance understanding of emerging aquatic animal disease response arrangements. These activities will provide sectors with an opportunity to identify risk or weaknesses in current arrangements and identify actions to mitigate these risks.  EOIs are due 9 Dec and DPI Aquatic Biosecurity Manager will be assisting with an application on behalf of oyster sector.  As a follow on from the emergency response activities, in early 2012 DAFF funding will be made available for EOIs for industry biosecurity plans which will be  developed with FRDC.
8. In June this year, the term of membership expired for Mr Nick Arena (ARAC land-based representative).  EOIs were mailed to all land-based permit holders and aquaculture associations.  Six applications were received and Mr Nick Arena did not seek re-appointment.  The panel was unanimous in its recommendation for the appointment of Mr Russell Sydenham, a trout farmer and owner of Arc-en-Ciel Rainbow Trout, a well established business in Hanging Rock and five years experience in the aquaculture industry.
9. The Committee had one minor addition to the draft ARAC Annual Report 2010/2011.  Once this change has been made, the Committee approves the report and it can be forwarded to the Minister.
10. Ian Lyall advised NSW DPI has lodged a project application with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure to establish a research lease off Port Stephens to extend our successful marine hatchery research. The key species proposed for this work include Yellowtail Kingfish and Southern Bluefin Tuna which are currently being cultured at PSFI under a Seafood CRC program.  The project would seek to establish a 20 hectare lease off Hawks Nest for a five year period.  This environmental assessment and research will benefit prospective farmers and reduce the risk for investors in making applications for offshore aquaculture research leases.
11. In July 2010, Steve McOrrie prepared an invitation and registration form that was mailed to all oyster farmers in NSW seeking historical material.  ARAC has created a register and collating this information as it comes in.  It is hoped items such as photos, oral histories or equipment will be used to document the History of the NSW Oyster Industry.  Around 15 responses have slowly been trickling in.  Steve will continue to encourage farmers to reply to the invitation and generated further interest at the Oyster Industry Field Day held on 20 September at Port Macquarie.  Steve had a scanner on site, to encourage famers to bring photos on the day which were scanned during the field day, but allowed farmers to take them home again.  Mrs June Fowler from Port Macquarie attended the field day on 20 September and brought along her copy of the book ‘The Dick Family History’.  The Dick Family have a long history of oyster farming in Port Macquarie and the book contains historical photographs and details relating to this family’s generations and their involvement in oyster farming.  ARAC has since purchased a copy.
12. Geoff Diemar has held discussions with Wayne O’Connor and researchers from Newcastle University on assessing potential impacts of mine effluent and leachate on oyster health.  This arose after oyster farmers in upper Port Stephens (Karuah River) experienced significant mortality and a decline in oyster production. The cause/s remain unexplained, but with support from a number of agencies and funding sources, it is planned to develop a full research application.  Funding has been sought from Great Lakes Council, however, this was unsuccessful.  Other funding sources are now being investigated.  Wayne is liaising with Assoc Prof Hugh Dunstan and Dr Geoff MacFarlane from the University of Newcastle who now have a PhD student looking at metal impacts in the Karuah River and liaising with farmers and collecting samples from that area and comparing them with work in the Hunter River. 
13. Tony provided an update on the CRC Oyster Consortium.  The NSW Food Authority is looking at what amendments can be made to the storage temperature requirements (as a result of the Refrigeration Index project).  The report on the Benchmarking Study, given by Shane Comiskey at the Oyster Industry Field days, was a real eye opener for farmers.  Discussion was held by ARAC about farmers who don’t or have not produced oysters for several years and whether a clause should be introduced, that if farmers are not producing, their lease will be cancelled.  Having a large number of farmers not producing oysters wastes valuable resources of DPI and the NSW Food Authority and holds back the industry (ends up costing those farmers who are producing).  ARAC are keen to see the results from the nutritional testing of oysters done by David Padula from SARDI.  The POMS research trip to France was very successful and a 30 page summary is available at www.oystertour.wordpress.com.  A full report is to come.  Oysters Australia has been formed (Tony advised this just replaces the Oyster Consortium) and he will be the ARAC representative on OA for the time being.
14. ARAC are supporting an investigation into the interaction of oyster farming and seagrass communities in NSW.  Information to date is anecdotal with many reports of positive impacts.  However, it is likely that oyster farming activities in seagrass areas will require a more rigorous assessment under NSW State planning legislation.  To assist the oyster industry to mitigate potential negative impacts of existing oyster farming activities on seagrasses, and to assist in the development of best practice for farming activities undertaken in seagrass areas, it is essential that independent research is encouraged that a) describes the impact of existing individual cultivation methods (e.g. longline, floating, tray etc.) on seagrass communities, and b) assists the development of oyster farming practices that reduce any demonstrated oyster farming impacts on seagrass communities.  NSW Primary Industries’ Aquatic Ecosystems branch is designing the experiment which will also incorporate an assessment of the impact of removal of infrastructure on seagrasses.
15. At the July 2011, Wayne advised of CRC collaborative research between NSW Primary Industries, ASI (company managing Pacific oyster breeding) and CSIRO provided an opportunity to both continue monitoring the impacts of OsHV in the Georges River and assess the potential to breed for OsHV resistance.  In May 2011, 30 individuals from each of 20 families of Pacific oysters were transferred from Port Stephens to Woolooware Bay. Samples from the oysters were collected at three time periods and the presence/absence of OsHV assessed at EMAI.  Results indicated potential for selective breeding for OsHV resistance, but further confirmatory research was needed.  OsHV monitoring was underway to detect the resumption of OsHV activity in the Georges River. When viral activity resumed further testing using the remnants of the previously tested family lines would be undertaken. 
16. Wayne provided information on a new ARC project ‘Adapting to climate change: does enhanced metabolism provide heritable protection against ocean acidification and increasing temperature in oysters?’  Together with Macquarie University, University of Western Sydney and the Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany), DPI has been successful in receiving a $285,000.00 Discovery Grant from the Australian Research Council.  This project will involve oysters from the breeding programs. It will develop improved technologies for the assessment of physiological performance in oysters, which will improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying performance in selectively bred stock.
17. In November 2010, ARAC approved a request for $5,000 for a testing program involving several farms to measure nitrogen, phosphorus and conductivity in pond, intake and effluent pond water.  The aim of this project is to provide data to assist Councils when assessing land-based aquaculture applications for farms that don’t require an EPA license.  It will cover intensive, extensive and recirc systems.  The results from this program should speed up the DA process.  The sampling took place in March/April 2011.  The results have been collated into a paper ‘Nutrients in pond based aquaculture discharge water used for irrigation’ written by Graeme Bowley and Geoff Allan.  The paper has been reviewed and approved by the Department and has been submitted to Austasia Aquaculture for their consideration to publish.  Ian Lyall praised ARAC for funding this research and how beneficial it is to have the science available when assessing these applications from Council.
18. Flyers on ‘ARAC – meet your industry representatives’ have been prepared which were taken to the Oyster Industry Field Days on 20 and 22 September this year.  The flyer has a photo of each of our industry representatives, where they are from and why they wish to represent industry on ARAC.  The flyer will also be placed on the ARAC page on the DPI web site.

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

Other resources

See also: ARAC 2007-2012 research and development strategic plan