Agency overview and resources
Section 1: Agency overview and resources
1.1 Strategic Direction
1.1.1 The business environment
The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) is the national body charged with investing in priority fisheries research and development (R&D); meeting the Government’s priorities; and pursuing the adoption of that R&D for the industry’s and community benefit.
It is uniquely placed, in that it deals with the Australian Government, industry and the research providers around Australia on both a strategic and operational basis to broker knowledge generation and innovation.
The FRDC performs a leadership role in fisheries R&D through:
- national priority setting
- project planning, management and extension across government agencies and industry nationally
- facilitation and partnership activities among with research providers
- collaboration across other Research and Development Corporations (RDCs), independent agencies/States
- leverage of investment funds across Australia.
1.1.2 External drivers for R&D investment
FRDC is responsible for investing in and delivering information to stakeholders. It provides R&D services in response to demands from industry and governments (stakeholders). Knowledge generated by FRDC’s investment in R&D assists stakeholders to meet a range of economic, social and environmental objectives for the fishing industry. The competing demands of stakeholders for the limited resources available to FRDC are considered through strategic planning and associated stakeholder consultative processes to develop balanced investment R&D programs.
Knowledge arising from R&D is provided to stakeholders to inform their decision making and assist with achieving their objectives. In 2009–10 FRDC will work with partner organisations and stakeholders to ensure a greater emphasis is placed on dissemination and adoption of R&D outputs to stakeholders—through the use of new information technologies.
1.1.3 Priority Areas for 2009–10
In 2009–10 the FRDC will develop its 2010–2015 R&D Plan in consultation with its key stakeholders. The development of a new R&D Plan will involve an examination the strengths and weaknesses of the current operating environment and threats and opportunities going forward. This will enable the development of a plan which will focus FRDC strategic research development and extension investments in the highest priority areas to best meet stakeholder needs.
FRDC will review its current funding mechanisms to ensure they are flexible and better able to meet stakeholders’ needs in a timely way. This is against the background of the global financial crisis; and gross value of production fluctuations and their potential impact on R&D funds available for investment.
The target areas for the FRDC’s investment in 2009–10 are:
Industry and fisheries managers’ adoption of co-management fisheries principles – FRDC’s is trialling with three fisheries jurisdictions; Commonwealth, Queensland and Western Australia, alternative co-management arrangements to improve management outcomes and reduce costs.
Improved sustainability performance – FRDC will invest in R&D that addresses fish stocks that are assessed as below optimum stock levels. This will include knowledge to improve management of Western Rocklobster, scallops, abalone and sharks, in particular deep water sharks. For aquaculture the focus will be on ferrying capacity for Spencer Gulf to support the SBT and Yellowtail Kingfish sectors.
Research, development and extension activities to assess and respond to climate change – FRDC has developed a National Coordination Group for Climate Change. The main focus in the next 12 months will be on industry adaptation and vulnerability assessments. Projects include: understanding the biophysical implications of climate change, understanding the social and economic implications of change for the sectors and related communities, understanding market risks and opportunities ahead, understanding the needs of stakeholders, facilitating the development of adaptive capacity within sectors.
Development of tools for undertaking socio-economic assessments – The recently established social science research coordination program will be undertaking a gap and needs analysis on social research that will assist fisheries management achieve triple bottom line requirements. These needs are to be prioritised and high priorities to be further considered for investment.
Research based processes for spatial management – Delivery of performance indicators for spatial management will be finalised. A report comparing alternative scientific assessments to determine what scale is required to deliver different management outcomes will be delivered.
Developing models or systems for the collection of recreational fishing data – A report will be finalised with options for consideration by management agencies and industry on methods for collection of recreational data.
Research to assist Australian seafood companies’ access new markets – FRDC is partnering with the Seafood Cooperative Research Centre to develop new markets in China and USA for abalone, Rocklobster, yellowtail kingfish and prawns.
Increase in finfish production through improved hatchery technology and feeds – Through the Aquaculture Innovation Hub, Emerging Species Program and the Seafood CRC, new species, hatchery methods and husbandry practices are to be developed to increase production.
Increase in entities utilising improved stock from selective breeding programs – Investments in prawn domestication and selective breeding, Atlantic Salmon resistance to amoebic gill disease are the focus for the twelve months.
Applications for capacity building and work force challenges (participation, advancement and retention) – A range of bursaries, scholarship and leadership programs will be offered to industry. Further, FRDC is leading a change in culture on workforce training.
Research to facilitate cost effective biosecurity measures for industry – Research will be delivered to improve biosecurity for abalone virus and pearl disease control.
In addition, FRDC will focus on the following government priorities:
Working collaboratively on R&D – The FRDC is one of 16 RDCs. During the year FRDC will partner with the other RDCs on a number of activities. Most significantly, these will include climate change (see above), evaluation of R&D (see below) and the development of a National Primary Industries Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) Framework. Not only will FRDC partner the RDCs on this project but it will work more broadly with the Primary Industries Standing Committee participants (Commonwealth and State Governments).
FRDC will continue to participate in the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations' Chairs (CRRDCC), Executive Directors, Business managers and Communications Managers meetings. It will also assist in coordinating with other RDC sponsors of initiatives such as Taste for Excellence (chef, waiter and restaurateur competition) primary producer’s tour. In addition, FRDC will continue to provide advice and services in relation to project management and the FRDC project management software—OmniFish.
Evaluation of R&D outcomes – The FRDC, as part of the CRRDCC, is working collaboratively to implement a framework of Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) to evaluate research and development activities undertaken. By the end of 2009–10 FRDC aims to have completed BCA on 18 R&D subprograms comprising over 200 projects which will deliver a total R&D portfolio assessment.
1.2 Agency resource Statement
Table 1.1 shows the total resources from all origins. The table summarises how resources will be applied by outcome and by administered and departmental classification.
Table 1.1: CAC Act Body Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Resource Statement—Budget estimates for 2009–10 as at Budget May 2009
All figures are GST exclusive
CRF – Consolidated Revenue Fund
¹FRDC is not directly appropriated as it is a CAC Act body. Appropriations are made to FMA Agency DAFF which are then paid to FRDC and are considered 'departmental' for all purposes.
²The levies collected are remitted to DAFF and transferred to the CRF. An equivalent amount to the FRDC management levy is paid by DAFF to FRDC under a special appropriation under the PIERD Act 1989.
1.3 Budget measures
The FRDC is not affected by any 2009–10 budget measures.
1.4 Transition from outcomes and outputs to outcomes and programs
From the 2009–10 Budget, all General Government Sector (GGS) entities will be reporting on a program basis. The table below outlines the transition from the 2008–09 Budget year (as at Additional Estimates) which was presented in administered items, outputs and output groups to the program reporting framework used for the 2009–10 Budget. The table also captures revisions made to GGS outcome statements under the Operation Sunlight Outcome Statements Review.
Figure 2: Transition table
15 Sep 2009