Sweet smell of success

Western Australian leaders in fisheries research have been awarded a combined $5.5 million in the latest round of Fisheries Research and Development Corporation grants.

The WA Government Western Australian Department of Fisheries is the biggest winner, receiving $3 million towards marron, illegal fishing, Western rock lobster, barramundi and greenlip abalone projects.

MG Kailis will use a $1.3 million grant for a study into rock lobsters, while the WA pearling industry will benefit from pearl shell research to be undertaken by James Cook University with another grant.

The WA Fishing Industry Council has also benefited from the grants, receiving $100,000 for two projects – an OSH statistics tool, assessing the severity of accidents and hence adding rigour to reports; and the development of a web-based directory of researchers.

WAFIC R&D manager Richard Stevens said WA was the largest State contributor to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.

WA delivers a combined $1.2 million to the FRDC, including $700,000 in licence fees, and $100,000 from recreational fees.

Murdoch University and Economic Research Associates (UWA) have also benefited from the grants.