A Tasmanian leader in natural science and former fishing industry educator has taken on a new role as the state’s extension officer for Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).
David Maynard has worked for the South Australian rock lobster industry, lectured on fisheries and the marine environment for the Australian Maritime College and University of Tasmania and was most recently the Senior Curator, Natural Sciences at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston.
He joined FRDC in August and his role is to strengthen the exchange of information with Tasmanians involved in Indigenous, commercial and recreational fishing and aquaculture and increase the uptake of research and development (R&D).
David is part of a national network of FRDC extension officers appointed in response to feedback from stakeholders, who called for more regionally based staff to help accelerate the adoption of R&D outcomes and drive practice change.
FRDC Managing Director, Dr Patrick Hone, says the extension officers will help to increase FRDC’s engagement with people at the grassroots.
“The extension officers are a powerful addition to the FRDC. Their broad remit is to bring people together to solve problems – they will work with stakeholders to deliver R&D findings that meet user needs, identify R&D priorities and provide an important link between the seafood sector and FRDC,” 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.”
David is based in Deviot, north of Launceston, placing him in a central location to service Tasmania. He said he was excited to return to fishing and aquaculture and use his practical and scientific knowledge and communications skills to extend FRDC’s research.
“I’m keen to help our stakeholders deal with challenges such as the need for sustainable practices and adaptation to climate change,” he said.
“I have always really been into the hands-on nature of applied science and I think can bring together my understanding of science and fishing to increase the uptake of research outcomes and benefit the people involved.
“It’s about giving people the opportunity to see the value in changing methods and approaches.”
As a lecturer for the Australian Maritime College and University of Tasmania, David taught topics including fishing industry operations, methods and gear technologies and taught at-sea operations and research on the Fisheries Training Vessel Bluefin. David also worked as a research scientist for the South Australian Rock Lobster Research Association and as a microbiologist and export officer for Tasmanian Smokehouse.
In his most recent role at the Queen Victoria Museum, he led a small team, managed a nationally significant biodiversity collection, supported university research students and communicated the value of biodiversity to the general public.
David is a recreational fisher and keen underwater photographer. His photography has supported two major exhibitions, and one accompanying book, ‘Beneath the Tamar: More than Silt’. David is also a published researcher, exploring diverse topics including fishing gear selectivity, insect behaviour, climate change and Tasmanian tigers.
