Floated: The State's fisheries research agenda 2004-2009

A major five-year vision document outlining the future direction of fisheries research in NSW was released today on the North Coast.

The document, Planning strategic research in fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic conservation in NSW, was developed with enormous input from not only the commercial fishing industry, but all relevant stakeholders.

It is a "wish list" of fisheries research programs for the next five years, developed in consultation with more than 30 stakeholder groups, including commercial and recreational fishing groups, conservation groups, charter boat operators, Indigenous groups, fish markets, universities and many others.

The document is designed to be used by other important stakeholder bodies looking to work and invest in these fields of research, not just the State Government.

More than 230 important science priorities have already been identified. Not all of those will necessarily be achievable or affordable within the next five years. But importantly, this will be a 'living' document that develops over time, according to ever-changing needs of stakeholders as priorities change and the results from completed research is implemented.

Targeted research is the key to profitable and sustainable fishing industries. It boosts productivity and allows primary producers to compete on a global scale.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has a strong network of fisheries research centres and Centres of Excellence in NSW, run by world-class, innovative staff.

A small sample of the identified priority projects for 2004-2009 found in the document

Commercial fishing

  • Stock assessments of a range of species, including bream, snapper, flathead, baitfish, squid, red spot whiting and more;
  • Continue to develop by-catch reduction methods for all problematic fishing methods;
  • Mapping and description of all fishing grounds to help allocate fishing effort;
  • Estimates of the illegal catch of abalone.

Recreational fishing

  • NSW angler surveys;
  • Studying the hook mortality of released fish (including species survival, best handling methods, hook patterns and sizes);
  • Continue research into effects of recreational fishing havens on fish stocks.

Aquaculture

  • Continue work on disease resistance and fast growth for Sydney Rock Oysters;
  • Continue research into improved methods of farming akoya pearl oysters;
  • Improve prawn broodstock performance;
  • Research the selective breeding of silver perch for faster growth.

Aquatic conservation

  • Develop and assess new designs for fishways;
  • Continue to research the control/eradication of Caulerpa taxifolia;
  • Identify rivers with current or potential salinity issues and which fish species are likely to be affected.

Indigenous fisheries

  • Develop a research plan for Indigenous fisheries;
  • Establish a centre for research into Indigenous fisheries.

Post-harvest and value-adding

  • Develop a standardised oyster marketing process and grading criteria;
  • Identify export markets for Australian prawns and the factors limiting the growth of those markets.