Hobart, Friday 2 November 2007

We would like you to invite you to join the staff of OceanWatch Australia at our next national strategic planning meeting where we will be workshopping our direction over the next 12 months with respect to:

• Sustainable seafood;
• Ecosystems based fisheries management;
• Fisheries and bycatch reduction;
• Environmental Management Systems for the seafood industry;
• Plastics waste recycling (fishing nets, line, ropes);
• and Aquatic habitat protection and rehabilitation

Date: Friday 2 November 2007 (the day after Seafood Directions)
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm

Place: Hotel Grand Chancellor.
Cost: $50 per person includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea

Download OceanWatch Invite (PDF)
Download OceanWatch Workshop Registration Form (PDF)

Reservations required by Monday 15th October 2007

Hobart, Friday 2 November 2007

The fishing industry predominantly uses diesel fuel. Fuel costs are a large part of running costs. The cost of fuel will continue to increase, due to dwindling reserves and growing demand.

Alternative fuels to petro-diesel include biodiesel, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas (LNG or CNG), straight vegetable oil, ethanol and hydrogen. Possibly fish waste could be converted into a viable fuel. The right choice of fuel may reduce fuel costs and improve business viability. A further aim would be to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which could have a bearing on the net cost of converting to an alternative fuel, considering government grants and rebates that might be applicable. In addition, reducing emissions may improve the marketability of the product.

The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) is financing research aimed at finding viable alternative fuels. The Australian Maritime College (AMC) is leading the research.

The workshop will begin with a presentation from Dr Laurie Goldsworthy, Research Leader in Marine Engines at AMC, outlining the alternatives, their advantages and drawbacks. A facilitated discussion session will follow whereby operators can provide feedback on the ideas presented and give their perspective on future fuels.

For further information, contact:
Laurie Goldsworthy
Australian Maritime College
L.Goldsworthy@amc.edu.au
ph 6335 4774

For background reading, a short article by David Sterling and Laurie Goldsworthy was published in Fishing Today No 6, Dec. 2007. A longer report is available on the FRDC website at: www.frdc.com.au/commercial/energy.php

Time: 1000 – 1230
Place: Hotel Grand Chancellor.
Cost: $50 per person includes participation in the Alternative Fuels for Fishing Vessels and Reducing Fishing Vessel Operating Costs workshops, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
Reservations required by Monday 15 October 2007

Hobart, Friday 2 November 2007

270 million litres of diesel are used by the Australian fishing industry every year. Diesel used to cost about 40c per litre in 2004; by 2006 it had doubled to 80c per litre, with little prospect of decreasing in the future. So the cost of fuel for fishing in Australia has increased from approximately $108M pa to $216M pa in two years, with no increase in catch value. The commercial fishing industry, including Australian prawn fisheries, is in an economic crisis that it is quickly deepening. Trawler operators have had to discover unprecedented levels of resilience and capacity to absorb economic challenges.

In October 2005 the FRDC funded a review of methods for reducing energy usage in fishing. The intent was to develop a guide that can inform the industry on existing and new developments in this area, and where the greatest potential for fuel efficiencies lies.

The review was also to provide an analysis of potential R&D that could assist industry in developing and adopting energy efficient fishing practices.

The work has been split into three main areas. This workshop will focus on: A. Hull characteristics and efficiency; B. Propulsion and fishing gear; as well as energy audits for the fishing industry.

The workshop will begin with presentations from Dr Giles Thomas and Mr John Wakeford, outlining the opportunities for reducing operating costs. A facilitated discussion session will follow whereby operators can provide feedback on the ideas presented and give their perspective on key areas for future investigation.

For further information, contact:
Giles Thomas
Australian Maritime College
gthomas@amc.edu.au
ph: 6335 4883

Detailed reports on the work conducted to date on the FRDC Review of Energy Efficiency in Fishing can be found on the FRDC web site: www.frdc.com.au/commercial/energy.php

Time: 1300 – 1600
Place: Hotel Grand Chancellor

Cost: $50 per person includes participation in the Alternative Fuels for Fishing Vessels and Reducing Fishing Vessel Operating Costs workshops, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
Reservations required by Monday 15 October 2007

Hobart, Friday 2 November 2007

The aim of this workshop is to familiarise participants with the processes involved in moving a business from one family member to another, or moving a business from one owner to another.

The workshop will examine the economic and social issues that are consistently raised during business transfer.

Who should attend this workshop? Anyone thinking of selling or transferring their business in the next five to ten years. It’s never too early to start succession planning!

Cost: $50 per person includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea

Time: 1000 – 1400
Place: Hotel Grand Chancellor
Reservations required by Monday 15 October 2007