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E-MISA October 2011

E-MISA October 2011

SARDI's Simon Goldsworthy (kneeling) and Brad Page tag a sea lion pup. Photo courtesy Content Mint.A word from our Chair….Prof. Rob Lewis

The move to the next phase of MISA is gathering pace and generating much interest within the aquatic R&D arena.  Dr Tim Ward (SARDI), along with Prof. Bronwyn Gillanders (Adelaide University) and Dr Ian Menz (Flinders University), have recently been nominated to oversee the development of two new ecosystem based programs for MISA: i) Gulfs and ii) Great Australian Bight/Bonney Coast. They have gathered initial input through a number of conferences, workshops and meetings, which have been useful in strengthening partnerships and ownership. The outcomes have been incorporated into a scoping document that will be considered at the next MISA Steering Committee meeting.

The existing Ecosystem Services node, led by Simon Goldsworthy is already demonstrating a solid foundation for collaborative research with their increasing successes in attracting funding grants.  The last update provided by Simon highlighted that more than $1 million has been received in new grants covering a wide range of topics, including fisheries research, threatened, endangered and protected shark species, oceanography and marine mammals.  They have also recently published 13 scientific journal articles as well as presented at a number of international and national conferences.  The two new ecosystem programs will provide an even greater opportunity to diversify and expand this research.

Prof. Rob Lewis, MISA Steering Committee

(Above: SARDI's A/Prof. Simon Goldsworthy and Dr Brad Page tagging a sea lion pup. Photo courtesy of Content Mint).

Our Research

Leading the way in gillnet bycatch mitigation research 

Australian seal expert, Association Professor Simon Goldsworthy, SARDI, presented on the impact and mitigation of Australian sea lion (ASL) bycatch using spatial closures in the shark gillnet fishery off South Australia at a recent workshop in Woods Hole, Massachussets, USA. The rigorous nature of the quantitative data used to assess the impact of the shark gillnet fishery on ASL off South Australia and model different management scenarios was recognised by the international audience as being at the forefront of gillnet bycatch mitigation research. 

Further information on Australian sea lion research presented at the International Marine Mammal - Gillnet Bycatch Mitigation Workshop, Woods Hole, Massachussets, USA.

Accessing Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) data on the web

IMOS is a nation-wide collaborative program designed to observe the oceans around Australia, including the coastal oceans and the 'bluewater' open oceans. IMOS provides data to support research on many of the critical marine issues facing Australia, including climate change and sustainability of ecosystems. These data can be accessed through the data portal at IMOS. Other sites to obtain oceanographic data are: web access sea surface temperatures and other variables and ocean surface currents and temperature for the Australian region.

SARDI's shellfish aquaculture specialist assists US oyster aquaculture industry

Congratulations to Mark Gluis from SARDI who played a significant role in efforts to regenerate oyster grounds in Louisiana, USA after being appointed Louisiana Sea Grant's Laborde Chair.

Further information on Mark's work with the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, USA. 

The Complete Seafood Experience at Port Adelaide

SARDI showcased the latest research and development in aquatic sciences at the recent Port Festival in SA's maritime heartland. With more than 18,000 attending the event was a huge success.

Photos and more information about MISA's involvement at the SARDI, PIRSA and Flinders Universities stand at the Port Adelaide Seafood Festival.

Flinders Science Awards

Inspiring school students to develop a passion for science and explore career pathways related to Primary Industries, the recent Flinders Science Awards highlighted the work of more than 70 students. Showcasing their science skills, students from years 6-12 participated in the competition run by the Primary Industry Centre for Science Education (PICSE) at Flinders University. 

Further information on 'students science on show at Flinders' (external website).      

Upcoming Events

SARDI seminar series

Dr Tim Ward, SARDI Wild Fisheries Program Leader, will be presenting "Environmentally Sustainable Development in the South Australian Sardine Fishery," at 1pm, 3 November 2011, SARDI Lecture Theatre, SARDI, 2 Hamra Ave, West Beach, SA.

2011 SARDI Seminar Series. 

How to prepare your business to target the global seafood market

Seafood Experience Australia (SEA) presents this free workshop, facilitated by Mr Roy Palmer (SEA) and will focus on tips, ideas and support available for seafood processors to penetrate new and existing overseas markets. A series of workshops will be held around Australia. The South Australian workshop is being held from 10am - 2pm on 23 November 2011, Lincoln Marine Science Centre, Port Lincoln, SA. Participants are encouraged to book on line. Details on events in other locations are also available from their website (external website). 

2011 Aquatic Surveillance Workshop

A five day FRDC/DAFF Aquatic Surveillance Workshop is being held on Monday 12 December to 16 December 2011 at School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA. A panel of 4 experts with international, national and local perspective will instruct the workshop. 

Registration details & further information on the 2011 Aquatic Surveillance Workshop (external website).  

2012 Science Awards

Grants applications are now open for the 2012 Science and Innovation Awards for young people in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. If you are 18-35 this is your chance to apply for up to $22,000 to fund your project on an innovative or emerging scientific issue to benefit Australia's primary industries. Contact Science Awards team on scienceawards@daff.gov.au or visit the 2012 Science Awards website for more information and application forms (external website).  

The David Syme Research Prize 2011

Applications are sought for the David Syme Research Prize 2011. The annual prize awards the best original research in Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Geology. Preference is given to work of value to the industrial and commercial interests of Australia.

Application deadlines and further information for the David Syme Research Prize (PDF 335KB). 

8th Asia-Pacific Conference of Algal Biotechnology and 1st International Conference on Coastal Biotechnology - Call for abstracts

Abstracts are being sought for this upcoming conference, co-organised by MISA participants: Flinders University, SARDI and the University of Adelaide, who along with PIRSA Fisheries & Aquaculture are also sponsors. 

Further information on the algal biotechnology conference (external website).

Australasian Aquaculture 2012 - Call for papers

Abstracts are being sought for the Australasian Aquaculture Conference 2012 (external website). The submission deadline is 30 November 2011. Submit your abstract online or contact Sarah-Jane Day for assistance.  

Australian Maritime & Fisheries Academy 2012 courses

The timetable for Australian Maritime & Fisheries Academy courses in now available for semester one 2012 (external website). Early booking are encouraged as places are limited.

Australian Seafood CRC courses 
A range of courses are now available, including consumer research master class; and the Seafood CRC Annual General Meeting. 

More information on Seafood CRC courses available.

Important dates

Asian Academy for Heritage Management Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage, Mantilla, Philippines, 8-12 November 2011 (external website). 

2011 Aquatic Surveillance Workshop, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA, 12-16 December 2011 (external website).

Aquaculture America 2012 - "Bringing all players to the table", The Paris, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 28 February - 3 March 2012 (external website).

Australasian Aquaculture Conference and Trade Show 2012, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 1-4 May 2012. Call for papers (external website).

International Abalone Symposium: 8th IAS 2012, Hobart, Tasmania, 6-11 May 2012 (external website). 

Algae for the Future Conference: 8th Asia-Pacific Conference of Algal Biotechnology and 1st Conference on Coastal Biotechnology, Adelaide, Australia,9-12 July 2012 (external website). 

Coast to Coast 2012 "Living on the Edge", National Coastal Management Conference, Brisbane Convention Centre, Queensland, 17-21 September 2012 (external website).