South Australian fishers and aquaculturists can now access a state-based officer appointed by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation to strengthen the exchange of information with end users and increase the uptake of research and development (R&D).
Fisheries scientist Nathan Bicknell has been appointed to work with Indigenous, commercial and recreational fishers and aquaculturists as the SA representative of FRDC’s new national extension officer network.
Nathan grew up in a rock lobster fishing family in Port Lincoln and is now based in Port Elliott. He studied environmental science, majoring in fisheries management, and has worked for Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Ocean Watch Australia, and was executive officer of the Marine Fishers Association for seven years.
FRDC Managing director Dr Patrick Hone says the extension officers are helping to increase FRDC’s engagement with people at the grassroots.
“We have established the network in response to feedback from our stakeholders, who said they wanted more regionally based staff to help accelerate the adoption of R&D outcomes and drive practice change,” he says.
“The broad remit of the extension officers is to work with people and stakeholders to extend R&D outputs that meet user needs, incorporate their input into R&D priorities and bring people together to solve problems,” he says.
“They are looking at solutions for regional issues in ways that can be adapted across the country, and will help all stakeholders tap into previous, current and future research to find workable solutions.”
Nathan says he is keen to ensure that Indigenous, commercial and recreational fishers, and people working in aquaculture, have a chance to be involved in all phases of R&D.
“Traditionally, there has been a linear approach to extension, so after research was done, it was given to the industry to adopt, but I prefer a circular approach where you bring the stakeholders together at the start and involve them in all steps of the process for research, development and extension,” he says.
“Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing fishing and aquaculture but it also creates opportunities through new ventures in the Blue Economy. Examples are aquaculture companies that are growing seaweed as livestock feed to reduce methane emissions or to sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
“These opportunities require an integrated approach to R&D within and across sectors and industries, rather than a business-by-business approach,’ he says.
Nathan has a passion for innovative solutions to complex problems such as improving the social licence to operate commercial fishing and aquaculture.
As Executive Officer of the Marine Fishers Association, he ran an integrated public relations campaign to promote seasonal consumption of seafood.
In his role on the Wildcatch Fisheries SA’s Advisory Committee, Nathan was a co-developer and founding director of the award-winning Fair Fish (SA) cooperative. Australia’s first Community Supported Fishery.
Most recently, Nathan was part of an industry consultant team which developed the SA Australian Marine Scalefish Master Fisherman training module for Ocean Watch Australia, which recognises the efforts of commercial fishers towards environmental sustainability.
Key Facts:
• South Australians involved in fishing and aquaculture now have a new state-based contact for R&D.
• Fisheries scientist Nathan Bicknell is working with people at the grassroots to gather their input on R&D priorities and boost the adoption of research outcomes.
• Nathan is based in Port Elliott and grew up in a fishing family in Port Lincoln.
About us:
FRDC invests in research, development and extension activities to increase economic, social and environmental benefits for Australian fishing and aquaculture and the wider community.
