The latest updates from the Abalone Industry Reinvestment Fund No images? Click here
W e l c o m e ! A I R F R E P O R T2 3 J U N E 2 0 2 0Welcome to the second edition of the AIRF Report. An update for the abalone industry on the project activities of the Abalone Industry Reinvestment Fund (AIRF). The AIRF funds important projects aimed at supporting and increasing the sustainability and productivity of the Tasmanian abalone fishery, both biologically and economically, while also addressing the impacts of the long-spined sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii) to the marine environment. 2 0 2 0Funding Round Now Open!The AIRF is now calling for applications for a project grant for the 2020 funding round.Projects must align with the objectives of the AIRF, and additional guidance on areas of priority are provided below. Key areas for further projects which AIRF may support include:
How to apply for a project grant?The pro forma “Application for a Project Grant" (link below) must be used for all applications for the 2020 funding round. Applications open on 18 June 2020, the closing date for applications for the 2020 funding round is 31 July 2020. More information is available at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/airf Applications should be forwarded to: AIRF@dpipwe.tas.gov.au (a postal address is provided on the application form (links below). Enquires may be made to Ms Vicki Waters Ph 616 53047 PRIORITY AND APPLICATION DOWNLOADS: AIRF 2020 Funding Round Priorities (301Kb) Application for a Project Grant (151Kb) P r o j e c t U p a t e The Southern Front The presence of Centrostephanus rodgersii in Tasmanian waters is a result of warming waters along the East Coast and represents a range extension for this species from mainland Australia. The urchin has had devastating impacts on reefs due to overgrazing which created expansive urchin barrens along once prolific abalone producing sites. The FV Suicidal Dream departed Hobart on Friday 25th October 2019 with 2 dinghies on board, 4 diver and 2 deckhands. The aim was to complete 16 hours of centro culling per dive team over the 4 day trip, along the southern and northern faces of the Munro Bight (Block 22a) between Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy. Photo: Jeremy Huddlestone AIRF Project 2019/11Centro Removal - The Southern Front Principle Investigator: Jeremy Huddlestone Urchin Invaders Exposed!L Launch of the Centro Exhibition at IMAS! A new exhibition at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies in Salamanca, tells the story of these urchin invaders – the problem, the science and the solution. Here you can discover the research that will prevent urchin barrens forming and allow our reefs to thrive again. With the COVID-19 lockdown, the exhibition is currently a ‘window-shopping’ experience but will be officially launched soon as restrictions are lifted. When launched, visitors can immerse themselves in the urchin story and understand what’s being done to control this invasive species, see live urchins and take a virtual dive over urchin barrens, and more... Decadel re-survey of long-term lobster experimental sites to inform centro control This AIRF project is re-surveying baseline sites established during a previous Fisheries Research Development Corporation project (FRDC#2007/045) which investigated the effectiveness of rebuilding large lobsters to mitigate risk of urchin overgrazing. By 2014 it was apparent that the rebuilding of large predatory-capable lobster stocks within intact kelp beds (but containing incipient barrens) was much more effective at reducing risk of barrens formation than was rebuilding of lobster stocks in an attempt to recover widespread barrens. The latest update from the Project Investigator Scott Ling, is now available on the AIRF website. Scott Ling measuring lobsters. Photo by Jennie Smith AIRF Project 2019/08 Decadal re-survey of Principle Investigator: Scott Ling Monitoring Long-spined sea urchin complete harvest trial Article source: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies Invasive Longspined Sea Urchins Centrostephanus rodgersii were the target of a recent ‘complete harvest trial’ conducted between Marion and Fortescue Bays on Tasmania’s east coast, and IMAS researchers were on hand to monitor the trial and conduct sampling. The complete harvest removed all size classes of Centrostephanus, and was implemented to prevent large scale urchin barren formation in productive abalone and rock lobster habitat. Funding by the Abalone Industry Reinvestment Fund (AIRF) enabled divers within the Tasmanian Commercial Dive Association (TCDA) to complete the task. IMAS researcher Dr John Keane led the monitoring team who sampled almost 10,000 urchins, both at the boat ramp and in the processing factory, over 11 of the 13 harvest days. Full article is available here: Photo source: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. Map of the Lanterns (Cape Huay) highlighting total dive effort, overlayed with Photo source: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Monitoring Long-spined sea urchin complete harvest trialPrinciple Investigator: John Keane (IMAS) Other AIRF projectsPlease visit www.airf.com.au for further project information, and subscribe to this newsletter for regular updates The AIRF fund is administered by the AIRF committee, this consists of membership from the Tasmanian Abalone Council (TACL) and the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE), with advice provided by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. The AIRF was established under the Tasmanian Liberal Government 'Taking seafood to the next level' policy. |