Opportunities for finfish stock enhancement and restocking in WA
AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
The page provides information on the Function and Responsibilities of the Minister for Fisheries, advisory body the Aquaculture Development Council (ADC). This page is adpated from an information paper provided by the ADC.
The page covers the following:
Terms of Reference for the Aquaculture Development Council
ADC Strategic Plan 2008-2012
Focus of the ADC: Responsibilities and Tasks
Structure of the ADC
ADC Meeting Format & Schedule
Current ADC Membership
Recently Completed ADC Projects
Current ADC Projects
ADC Quarterly Updates
Terms of Reference for the Aquaculture Development Council
In accordance with the Fish Resources Management Act 1994, the statutory responsibilities of the Council are to:
a) identify issues that affect aquaculture;
b) advise the Fisheries Minister on issues relating to aquaculture and the management of aquaculture; and
c) advise the Fisheries Minister on any matter related to aquaculture on which the advice of the Council is sought by the Minister.
In addition to these statutory responsibilities, the ADC retains the administrative responsibility of managing the remaining Aquaculture Development Fund (ADF) funded projects.
ADC Strategic Plan 2008-2012
The ADC has recently identified six imperatives necessary to underpin industrial-scale aquaculture development in Western Australia. These are to:
- Develop the dedicated legislative base needed to support aquaculture industry development in WA.
- Provide a clear leadership role for the ADC, through the development of a “roadmap” that defines and shapes the industry development strategy.
- Identify and discerningly utilise the sustainable competitive advantages that place WA in a position to be globally competitive.
- Identify and reserve zones suitable for future large-scale industry development.
- Transfer and develop new technology needed for open ocean aquaculture, initially through the establishment of a proof-of-concept farm using world’s best practice and technology.
- Establish collaborative relationships with selected partners to continue to develop and apply the technology needed to place and keep WA at the forefront of aquaculture technology and production.
Strategic Plan Objectives
The ADC has also identified a number of strategic plan objectives:
• Re-position the ADC as the lead organisation for aquaculture industry development and innovation in WA.
• Launch and support the development of a globally competitive aquaculture industry in WA.
• Promote projects with social benefits in regional WA.
Focus of the ADC: Responsibilities and Tasks
The ADC’s focus has changed in recent years. The roles and responsibilities of the Council have been modified to reflect the development-oriented and commercially focused requirements of the aquaculture industry.
In the fulfilment of its statutory responsibilities, the ADC focuses on the following responsibilities as its primary charter:
- Provide advice to the Minister for Fisheries on the development and implementation of strategies to ensure the continued development of the Western Australian aquaculture industry in accordance with economic, ecological and social principles;
- Develop and implement strategies to encourage and facilitate investment in the Western Australian aquaculture industry;
- To develop and implement strategies to focus the Western Australian aquaculture industry on market driven developmental opportunities;
- To determine and identify high priority aquaculture sectors for development, in order to direct the efforts and resources of the ADC appropriately;
- To review the developmental priority of aquaculture sectors in line with evolving state, national and international factors;
- Provide advice to the Minister in relation to the provision of economically feasible and industry compatible infrastructure to the Western Australian aquaculture industry;
- Provide advice to the Minister for Fisheries on the allocation of the ADC budget for the optimal advancement of industry;
- Develop and facilitate strategic relations with other relevant industries and jurisdictions to enhance delivery of developmental strategies in Western Australia.
Structure of the ADC
The ADC focuses on the key issues of aquaculture development with a focus on investment attraction and business facilitation in line with the focus of activities and responsibilities directed above.
A system of subcommittees allows other governance issues to be addressed appropriately without diverting the focus of the ADC from those high priority issues. Subcommittees are formed if and when they are required.
ADC Meeting Format and Schedule
The ADC is scheduled to meet at least every eight (8) weeks. Meetings are attended by board members and Department of Fisheries support staff. Other interested parties attend as invited.
Current ADC Membership
To reflect the current roles and responsibilities of the Council, on 10 January 2005, Cabinet approved the Council membership be modified slightly to reflect the development-oriented and commercially focused requirements of the aquaculture industry.
Within the scope of the membership prescriptions, members were selected to ensure an appropriate skill set to deliver on the terms of reference (see section 2).
The current membership consists of:
Russell Barnett (Chair)
Russell is currently the principal consultant and founder of Australian Venture Consultants. His previous experience includes consultancy to construct a business case for the establishment and operation of a Graduate School of Medicine at UWA, and as Chief Operating Officer to oversee the successful implementation of systems and commercialisation of the business PT TradeEzy.com.
Stuart Smith (CEO, Dept of Fisheries, ex officio (or nominee)
Stuart is an economist with an undergraduate degree from the University of Western Australia and postgraduate qualifications from the Australian National University. He has had considerable experience in the regulation of geosequestration in Australia, and has experience working in academia, Australian Public Service, and most recently in the WA state government at the Department of Industry and Resources (DOIR). At DOIR he held the positions of Deputy Director General, Mineral and Petroleum Services, and Acting Director General.
Karen Caple
Karen is currently the Director of Governance and Strategy with the City of Wanneroo. Her previous experience includes Project Director with Department of Premier and Cabinet, and Project Manager with the Office of Shared Services.
Paula Tomkins
Paula is currently the Regional Liaison Manager with the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Her previous experience includes various positions with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and ecologist for the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
Maggie Lilith
Maggie is currently employed by the Conservation Council of WA and holds a PhD in Biological Sciences. Her previous committee experience includes the Aquaculture Bill Taskforce, Ministerial GMO Industry Reference Group and the Wandoo Recovery Group.
Robert Gould
Robert has held directorships at a range of companies, including RF Innovations Pty Ltd, Allight Pty Ltd and Nilos Pty Ltd. He is currently a non-executive Director of Gage Roads Ltd and a Director and Shareholder of Javelin Partners, a private equity advisory firm, assisting companies raise finance, divest assets, advise on business valuations and carrying out due diligence assignments on company acquisitions.
Guy Westbrook
Guy has twenty years experience in the aquaculture industry. He is currently the General Manager of Marine Produce Australia Pty Ltd, responsible for the development and management of the company's barramundi farming operations in the Buccaneer Archipelago. Prior to this, Mr Westbrook held senior management positions at Nortas Pty Ltd, Tassal Operations Pty Ltd and Maxima Fish Farms Pty Ltd.
Greg Jenkins
Greg is currently the Manager of Aquaculture Research and Development at Challenger TAFE, a post he has held for the last 14 years. Greg brings extensive experience in aquaculture industry development to the Council.
ADC Quarterly Updates
For further information on How Ministeral Adviory/Consultation committee work and their operational guidelines, click on the relevant link.
ADC Reports
Publicly Available
- Market Study for Selected Marine Fish Stage 1: Market Prioritisation Feb 2007
- Market Study for Selected Marine Fish Stage 2: Market Investigation Mar-Apr 2007
- Extension of Market Study for Selected Marine Fish to the WA Market 2007
- Post farm gate processing options for large scale Barramundi farming enterprise in the Kimberley region of Western Australia
- An Opportunity Study of an Open Ocean Aquaculture project in Western Australia
- Wave Modelling Study
- Strategic Review and Market Assessment of Eco-Labelling Opportunities and Value Adding Products (Mussels)
- Aquaculture Key Success Factors - (November 2008)
- Aquaculture Industry Development Strategy (2009, publicly available June 2010)
- Open Ocean Aquaculture Governance Framework (2009, publicly available June 2010))
- Rock Lobster Puerulus Aquaculture Economic Feasibility (March 2008)
- WA Abalone Aquaculture Industry Workshop Report (May 2005, publicly available June 2010)
- WA Marron Aquaculture Industry Workshop Report (September 2005, publicly available June 2010)
- Economic Strategy for Offshore Aquaculture (2009, publicly available June 2010)
- Shark Bay Salt Aquaculture technical assessment- (November 2007, publicly available June 2010))
- Shark Bay Salt Aquaculture Final Report - (November 2007, publicly available June 2010))
- Opportunities for finfish stock enhancement and restocking in Western Australia (May 2010, publicly available June 2010))
Not Publicly Available
- Abalone Aquaculture South Coast Feasibility Study (July 2006, Ord Group)
- Aquaculture Audit and Opportunity - November 2006
- Aquaculture Development Council Activity Report 07/08-09/10
- Inland Aquaculture Pre-feasibility (not undertaken)