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West Coast Rock Lobster Resource Harvest Strategy
No full textHarvest strategies for Western Australia’s (WA) aquatic resources are formal documents developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, the Department) to support decision-making processes that ensure the outcomes are consistent with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD; Fletcher 2002a) and Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM; Fletcher et al. 2012). Harvest strategies are a key component of all contemporary fishery management systems and a requirement for certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The objectives of ESD are reflected in the objectives of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA) and the Aquatic Resources Management Act 2016 (ARMA), which is anticipated to replace the FRMA once fully implemented.
This West Coast Rock Lobster Resource (WCRLR) Harvest Strategy (Harvest Strategy) has been developed and revised in line with the Department’s Harvest Strategy Policy for Aquatic Resources (Department of Fisheries 2015; Fletcher et al., 2016) and is consistent with relevant national harvest strategy policies and guidelines (e.g. Sloan et al. 2014; Department of Agriculture and Water Resources 2018a, b). It establishes the specific set of decision rules that determine the appropriate harvest levels for all sectors to meet the ecological, economic and social objectives established for the resource.
The publication of this Harvest Strategy is intended to make the decision-making considerations and processes for the management of the WCRLR transparent and provide a basis for informed dialogue on management actions with resource users and other stakeholders (Department of Fisheries 2015).
The Harvest Strategy provides guidance for decision-makers but does not derogate from or limit the exercise of discretion required for independent decision-making by the Minister for Fisheries, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DPIRD, or other delegated decision-makers in order to meet the objects of the FRMA
BEN Signage Installation Map - Shire of Exmouth
No full textBeach Emergency Number (BEN) Signage Installation Map - Shire of Exmouthhttps://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/gis_bens/1057/thumbnail.jp
Validation of critical soil-test phosphorus values from the Better Fertiliser Decisions for Pastures meta-analysis
No full textContext Historical application of phosphorus (P) fertilisers has enabled grazing agriculture in south-west Western Australia but has led to excessive soil P levels that pose a eutrophication risk. However, adoption of critical soil-test P values for pastures determined from the Better Fertiliser Decisions for Pastures (BFDP) meta-analysis of historical Australian trials has been poor because of perceived lack of relevance to the soils and contemporary pasture species in the region. Aims We aimed to validate critical Colwell P values from the BFDP project for soils and contemporary pasture species of south-west Western Australia. Methods Fifty P-rate response trials were performed with contemporary pasture species, and the results compared with BFDP. Key results Trial results were consistent with BFDP and fell within 95% prediction intervals of response calibrations of Colwell P and relative yield pairs for different P buffering index (PBI) ranges. Soils with PBI 8% (±4%), consistent with a 5% response expected for Colwell P levels supporting 95% relative yield. Application of nitrogen, potassium and sulfur significantly increased yield while increasing basal cover of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and reducing that of clover (Trifolium spp.) in the sward. Response calibration coefficients and critical Colwell P values before and after addition of the trial data to BFDP showed a strong correlation (r2 \u3e0.99), although critical values were slightly lower for lower soil PBI. Conclusions Critical Colwell P values from BFDP are relevant and applicable to soils and contemporary pasture species of south-west Western Australia. Implications Agronomic advice and application of P should be based on interpretation of Colwell P values, with P applied only when levels are below the critical value. Pasture composition should also be considered when interpreting Colwell P values. This approach minimises risks of P loss and improves economic outcomes for growers
Hymenopteran parasitoids of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)) in Australia, with the description of five new species in the families Braconidae and Eulophidae
No full textFall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is an invasive pest of agricultural crops including sweet corn and maize. The moth was first recorded in Australia in January 2020 and is now considered established in most states and territories, and research is underway to develop management strategies. Extensive rearing of S. frugiperda larvae and eggs occurred from March 2020 to April 2023 to understand the parasitoid complex present in Australia and identify potential biological control agents. We report here on the hymenopteran parasitoids reared during this period, which were identified using a combination of morphology and COI DNA barcoding, and provide images, a key to species, and contextual information to facilitate future research. Twelve species of parasitoids from five families of Hymenoptera are formally reported as parasitising S. frugiperda in Australia. Five species are here described as new: Chelonus patbat Fagan-Jeffries, sp. nov. (Braconidae), Chelonus trojanus Fagan-Jeffries, sp. nov. (Braconidae), Coccygidium mellosiheroine Atkin-Zaldivar & Fagan-Jeffries, sp. nov. (Braconidae), Coccygidium necatrix Atkin-Zaldivar & Fagan-Jeffries, sp. nov. (Braconidae), and Euplectrus frugiperdata Fagan-Jeffries, sp. nov. (Eulophidae)
Soil testing for managing crop inputs to overcome soil acidity and alkalinity constraints
No full textInnovation - packaging
No full textJoin us for an exciting session with Eduard Alcordo from FP Paradigm, where we\u27ll explore groundbreaking advancements in food and beverage packaging technology. Eduard will provide insights into FP Paradigm\u27s transformational mission and vision, highlighting their commitment to developing breakthrough technology aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based plastics
Trends in catch rates of sawfish on the Australian North West Shelf
No full textNorthwestern Australia is thought to have some of the world’s last remaining viable sawfish populations, although little quantitative data exists on their status or trends. This study examined 17 years of logbook bycatch records (n = 815) for green sawfish Pristis zijsron and narrow sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata from a trawl fishery operating on the Australian North West Shelf. Incidental sawfish captures by the fishery are rare, occurring approximately once every 75 trawls (~199 trawl hours). To standardize catch rates and account for excess zeros in the data, we employed generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSSs) using a zero-inflated Poisson distribution.
For green sawfish, catch rates approximately doubled over the study period, while an oscillating trend was observed for narrow sawfish catch rates.
Reported captures occurred throughout the management boundaries of the fishery, which operates in mid-shelf waters from 48 to 121 m. A weak seasonal signal in catch rates was detected for both species, with the highest capture numbers occurring during autumn-winter, consistent with an expected inshore migration for parturition during spring-summer. Logbook trends were partly corroborated by independently verified data collected in a subset of years, which also showed an increasing proportion of green sawfish in the catch.
Our findings emphasize the importance of sawfish populations in northwestern Australia within the context of global conservation efforts for this taxon
Valorising WA Waste Streams
No full textJoin us for an enlightening session led by Janet Howieson from Curtin University, as we delve into the fascinating topic of valorising waste streams in Western Australia. Janet brings a wealth of expertise in sustainability and waste management, and she will share insights into new methods and frameworks being developed for SME’s to start addressing opportunities in reducing food waste. Discover how businesses can understand their waste streams, potentially capitalise on untapped opportunities, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Whether you\u27re a seasoned industry professional or new to the concept of waste valorisation, this session promises to spark inspiration and ignite discussion on the potential of WA\u27s waste streams
Innovations in Packaging
No full textWhat will the most sustainable food & beverage packages of the future be? Discover some trends towards the the future of packaging with Vikas. What are the roadblocks and how do we get to high recycling rates in Australia
What is the best fit for electric weed control in Australia?
No full textElectric weed control is a non-chemical weed management alternative that will apply to a range of agricultural systems. The current project assessed electric weed control via the continuous electrode-plant contact method (using a Zasso™ XPower).
A wide range of field trials in 2022 and 2023 investigated weed control efficiency, suitability of electric weed control for fence line control of glyphosate-resistant annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.), use for crop topping, fire risk, damage to the soil biota, or use for inter-row weed control in vineyards or lupin crops. Broadleaf weeds were controlled more effectively than grass weeds with electric weed control, although control of mature grasses like kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus Hochst. ex Chiov.) was still comparable to that achieved using herbicide. Likewise, electric weed control of glyphosate-resistant annual ryegrass was comparable to control by non selective herbicide (paraquat+diquat). There was a fire risk from electric weed control on completely dry plant residue, but there were zero fires when using the unit for field trials over winter and spring. There was no evidence of damage to the soil biota after using electric weed control (bacterial, archaea and fungal soil microbiome communities or free-living nematodes). Inter-row weed management with electric weed control caused no damage to neighboring plants. This technology has immediate applicability for controlling herbicide resistant weeds on fence lines or weed control in viticulture and horticulture crops, and future potential for inter-row weed control in broad scale grain cropping enterprises