Victorian 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 Dr Matt Jones has been appointed to work with Indigenous, commercial and recreational fishers and aquaculturists as the VIC representative of FRDC's new national extension officer network.
Matt has worked across the fisheries, aquaculture and maritime industries for 12 years in Victoria and Tasmania. He is experienced in aquatic animal nutrition and disease management, with a strong emphasis on producing industry relevant research and communicating outcomes to industry.
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."
Matt says he enjoys developing practical approaches to bridge the gap between scientific outcomes and industry.
"There is an enormous output of scientific research relevant to fishing and aquaculture in this country but it's difficult for people in the industry to distil that information in a way that is tangible to them," he says.
"Aquaculture and fishing businesses are in a very competitive environment, and they have got huge challenges ahead of them, notably around climate change, social licence and an increasingly competitive global market.
"I'm keen to get science down to the farms and onto the boats and find out industry's R&D needs. Good old-fashioned face-to- face contact is so valuable. People get hundreds of emails a day but one hour spent together can make such a difference."
Matt has worked on farm biosecurity, environmental monitoring and compliance, sea cage and land-based farm design, fishing methods, feeding systems and trials, and animal ethics requirements.
He has also designed onboard training modules and delivered short science courses relevant to finfish, oyster and abalone production.
Matt has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Aquaculture) and Bachelor of Aquaculture from University of Tasmania, plus honours and a PhD in aquatic animal nutrition and disease management.
Key Facts:
· Victorians involved in all aspects of fishing and aquaculture have a new state-based contact for R&D.
· Fisheries scientist Dr Matt Jones is working with people at the grassroots to gather their input on R&D priorities and boost the adoption of research outcomes.
· Matt has worked on farm biosecurity, environmental monitoring, sea cage and land-based farm design, fishing methods and feeding systems, and has delivered training modules and short science courses.
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.
