Circularity in Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation’s (FRDC) Circularity in Fisheries and Aquaculture program is a national program that uses practical and innovative measures to help transition the sector towards achieving the benefits of a more circular system.

Circular economy principles and practices are already embedded in some Australian fishing and aquaculture operations but there are opportunities to do more. CE is a need and opportunity that crosses all four sectors – Aboriginal, Commercial Wild Catch, Aquaculture, and Recreational – all jurisdictions, all levels of the supply chain, across industries and across international borders.

This national program encompasses five-initiatives which aim to build capacity, quantify material flows, identify opportunities and barriers, measure impact, support the commercialisation of innovative ideas and establish a comprehensive community of practice. Foundational to the program is engagement with industry, community, government, and all parts of the value chain to share this important journey.

The project is being delivered by the Regional Circularity Co-operative Limited as part of the Bega Circular Valley initiative, in collaboration with FRDC, KPMG, University of Wollongong and Charles Sturt University.

If you would like more information about this program, please contact Natalie Manahan (RCC) – natalie.manahan@begacircularvalley.com.au

National material flow & circular opportunity analysis – Quantifying the nationwide material flows of the sector to identify opportunities and barriers to change and leveraging national and global insights to embrace greater circularity for economic and environmental impact.

Circular Advantage – Circular Capacity Building – Educating the wider region and industry on circularity practices, including the interventions to implement and identification of the resources required to support actions. Annually for the next three years, we will hold field-based workshops / Circular Advantage training, where participants will learn from entities implementing circular practices.

Circular Measurement – Support selected fisheries and aquaculture entities to measure circularity of their business operations. This assessment will enable participating entities to baseline circularity and drive operational improvement between assessment periods through Circular Transition Indicators (CTI) framework.

Circular Accelerator – Innovators, partners and fishing and aquaculture businesses will be convened to identify and execute initiatives that will accelerate the adoption of circular economy. A Circularity Accelerator program will encourage creative circular economy problem-solving within fishing and aquaculture. Initiatives that will deliver the greatest benefit to industry and environment will be seed funded up to $20,000.

Community of Practice – This initiative aims to connect FRDC with the existing Bega Circular Valley community of practice. The CoP will encompass all learnings across the program into a comprehensive knowledge sharing and self-sustaining network.