Fisheries & Forrestry

cience, sustainability and innovation for Australia’s marine and forest industries

 

🔴 KEY PRIORITIES

  • Sustainable fishery and forestry practices

  • Climate resilience and adaptation

  • Industry innovation and productivity

  • Biosecurity and ecosystem protection

 

🟡 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOCUS

  • Marine species and habitat science

  • Forest health and fire resilience

  • Aquaculture and plantation innovation

  • Data modelling and policy support

 

🟦 CHALLENGES

  • Overfishing and habitat degradation

  • Bushfires and drought

  • Global competition and trade barriers

  • Climate change and biodiversity loss

 

🟩 WHY IT MATTERS

  • Protects marine and forest ecosystems

  • Supports long-term industry viability

  • Strengthens export markets and trade

  • Builds national resilience and innovation

🔴 KEY PRIORITIES

  • Sustainable fishery and forestry practices Promote long-term resource use that protects ecosystems and supports industry viability.

  • Climate resilience and adaptation Develop strategies to manage drought, bushfires, ocean warming and changing species patterns.

  • Industry innovation and productivity Support new technologies, data modelling, and smarter practices across marine and forest sectors.

  • Biosecurity and ecosystem protection Prevent invasive species, disease outbreaks and habitat degradation through science and monitoring.

 

 

🟡 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOCUS

  • Marine species and habitat science Expand scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and at-risk species.

  • Forest health and fire resilience Research the impacts of fire and drought on native and plantation forests.

  • Aquaculture and plantation innovation Drive efficiency and sustainability through cutting-edge farming practices.

  • Data modelling and policy support Use scientific insights and analysis for informed decision-making.

 

 

 

🔵 CHALLENGES

  • Overfishing and habitat degradation Unsustainable practices threaten marine biodiversity and long-term seafood supply.

  • Bushfires and drought Increasing climate extremes damage forest health and reduce productivity.

  • Global competition and trade barriers Export markets face rising pressure from international rivals and shifting regulations.

  • Climate change and biodiversity loss Ecosystems are under stress from warming oceans, changing rainfall, and species decline.

 

 

 

 

🟩 WHY IT MATTERS

  • Protects marine and forest ecosystems Ensures long-term environmental health and biodiversity through science-based management.

  • Supports long-term industry viability Builds resilience and innovation across fisheries, aquaculture, and forestry sectors.

  • Strengthens export markets and trade Maintains Australia’s reputation for sustainable, high-quality products in global markets.

  • Builds national resilience and innovation Equips Australia to adapt to climate change, ecological threats and shifting global conditions.

 

 

GLOBAL COMPETITION & TRADE BARRIERS — IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

1. Problem Definition

Australian seafood and timber exports face increasing pressure from:

  • Cheaper global competitors

  • Complex trade regulations and tariffs

  • Burdens of certification and sustainability compliance

  • Market access restrictions

  • Perception gaps regarding product quality and origin

These barriers lower profitability, hinder growth, and weaken Australia’s global standing.

2. Strategic Objectives

✅ Objective 1 — Strengthen export reputation

Promote sustainable, high-quality products with clear branding.

✅ Objective 2 — Enhance market access and trade relations

Negotiate better terms and streamline regulations.

✅ Objective 3 — Assist exporters with compliance

Simplify meeting global standards.

✅ Objective 4 — Boost productivity through innovation

Enable producers to compete on quality, efficiency, and sustainability.

 

3. Implementation Actions

🔹 A. Branding & Reputation (0–12 months)

  • Launch “Sustainable Australian Seafood & Timber” campaign

  • Create unified eco-labels and certification marks

  • Promote traceability and transparency

  • Highlight success stories in global markets

 

🔹 B. Trade Access & Diplomacy (6–24 months)

  • Negotiate trade agreements

  • Reduce tariffs and barriers

  • Align sustainability standards with markets

  • Fund trade missions and promotions

 

🔹 C. Exporter Support & Certification (0–18 months)

  • Provide certification grants (MSC, PEFC, etc.)

  • Offer compliance training

  • Create a one-stop portal for export needs

  • Fund digital traceability tools

🔹 D. Innovation & Productivity (12–36 months)

  • Invest in automation and processing

  • Support R&D for value-added products

  • Promote circular economy practices

  • Link innovation grants to export readiness

⏱️ Timeframe Summary

TimeframeKey Deliverables0–6 monthsBranding campaign, exporter portal, certification grants6–12 monthsTrade missions, training programs, traceability tools12–24 monthsBilateral agreements, innovation trials, market alignment24–36 monthsFull export reform rollout, global brand recognition

🎯 Expected Outcomes

  • Increased export volume and value

  • Stronger global brand for Australian products

  • Easier compliance for small and medium exporters

  • More resilient and competitive industries

  • Improved trade relationships and access

 

CLIMATE CHANGE & BIODIVERSITY LOSS — FIX PLAN

🔹 Strategic Objectives

  • Cut emissions from forestry and fisheries

  • Boost carbon storage in land and sea

  • Protect and restore ecosystems

  • Promote biodiversity and climate resilience

 

🔹 Fix Actions

Emission Reduction

  • Shift aquaculture to renewables

  • Reduce deforestation-linked emissions

  • Fund energy-efficient processing

  • Cut fossil fuel use and waste

Carbon Sequestration

  • Expand blue carbon zones

  • Restore peatlands and carbon-rich soils

  • Promote carbon farming and revegetation

Ecosystem Protection

  • Enforce biodiversity targets

  • Restore reefs, wetlands, forests

  • Control invasive pests and diseases

Research & Engagement

  • Fund climate adaptation R&D

  • Monitor ecosystem health

  • Engage landholders and communities

  • Build public support for conservation

 

  • OVERFISHING & HABITAT DEGRADATION — CONDENSED PLAN

    Problem

    Fish stocks are declining due to overfishing, bycatch, habitat destruction, weak monitoring, and climate stress.

     

    Strategic Objectives

    • Restore sustainable fish stocks

    • Protect reefs, seagrass, mangroves

    • Strengthen monitoring & compliance

    • Modernise fishing practices

     

    Key Actions

    Regulation (0–12 months)

    • Enforce science‑based quotas

    • Expand habitat protection zones

    • Boost AFMA patrols, GPS tracking, real‑time reporting

    Technology (6–24 months)

    • Smart nets, exclusion devices, acoustic deterrents

    • Low‑impact trawls, weighted lines

    • Sensors, drones, AI stock modelling

    Restoration (12–36 months)

    • Replant seagrass, rebuild oyster reefs, restore mangroves

    • Community co‑managed restoration

    • Climate‑resilient coral & coastal protection

    Industry & Community (0–24 months)

    • Grants for sustainable gear

    • Traceability tools & stock dashboards

    • Public education on sustainable seafood

     

    Timeframe

    • 0–6 months: Quotas, compliance upgrades, protection zones

    • 6–12 months: Tech trials, mapping, training

    • 12–24 months: Restoration & gear transition

    • 24–36 months: Long‑term recovery & monitoring

     

    Outcomes

    • Rebuilt fish stocks

    • Reduced bycatch & habitat damage

    • Resilient ecosystems

    • Stronger industry credibility

    • Greater public trust

  •  

BUSHFIRES & DROUGHT — IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

1. Problem Definition

Australia’s forests and ecosystems suffer from:

  • Frequent bushfires

  • Prolonged droughts

  • Decreased forest productivity

  • Soil degradation and water stress

  • Loss of biodiversity and carbon sinks

These issues threaten both environmental health and industry viability.

2. Strategic Objectives

✅ Objective 1 — Build fire-resilient forests

Enhance recovery after bushfires.

✅ Objective 2 — Adapt forestry and aquaculture to drought

Ensure productivity under water stress.

✅ Objective 3 — Monitor ecosystem health

Detect stress early and intervene.

✅ Objective 4 — Integrate climate adaptation into policy

Embed resilience in management frameworks. 

3. Implementation Actions

🔹 A. Forest Resilience (0–12 months)

  • Map high-risk zones with satellite data

  • Fund firebreaks and buffer zones

  • Trial fire-tolerant species

  • Support Indigenous fire management

🔹 B. Drought Adaptation (6–24 months)

  • Develop drought-resilient aquaculture models

  • Fund water-efficient tech

  • Promote agroforestry and mixed planting

  • Support drought insurance schemes

🔹 C. Monitoring & Early Warning (0–18 months)

  • Expand health monitoring networks

  • Deploy sensors for soil moisture and quality

  • Integrate data into climate dashboards

  • Train teams in rapid response

🔹 D. Policy & Community Engagement (12–36 months)

  • Embed resilience targets into forestry plans

  • Co-design adaptation programs with communities

  • Fund public education on preparedness

  • Link forestry and fisheries to climate strategy

⏱️ Timeframe Summary

Deliverables

0–6 monthsRisk mapping, firebreaks, monitoring upgrade

6–12 monthsDrought-resilient trials, irrigation tech, Indigenous practices

12–24 monthsPolicy integration, community programs, dashboard deployment

24–36 monthsFull resilience rollout in forestry and aquaculture

🎯 Expected Outcomes

  • Reduced fire damage and faster recovery

  • Stable yields under drought

  • Early ecosystem stress detection

  • Enhanced public and industry preparedness

  • Integrated, climate-resilient policies

AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION — FULL CONTENT SUITE

 

1. KEY PRIORITIES

1) Boost Productivity Through Innovation

Modernise farming systems with automation, precision agriculture, and data‑driven decision tools.

2) Strengthen Food Security & Supply Chains

Support resilient production, storage, and distribution systems across regional Australia.

3) Reduce Environmental Impact

Promote low‑emission farming, soil health, water efficiency, and regenerative practices.

4) Support Farmers With Skills & Technology Access

Ensure producers can adopt new tools, training, and digital infrastructure.

 

2. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOCUS

1) Climate‑Smart Agriculture

Develop drought‑resilient crops, heat‑tolerant livestock, and climate‑adaptive farming systems.

2) Precision & Digital Farming

Expand sensors, drones, robotics, and AI‑driven farm management.

3) Sustainable Inputs & Bio‑Innovation

Advance biological fertilisers, pest control, and low‑impact chemicals.

4) Value‑Added Processing & Export Innovation

Support R&D that increases product value, shelf life, and global competitiveness.

 

3. CHALLENGES

1) Rising Input Costs

Fuel, fertiliser, labour, and logistics pressures reduce farm profitability.

2) Climate Variability & Extreme Weather

Droughts, floods, heatwaves, and shifting seasons disrupt production.

3) Skills & Workforce Shortages

Producers struggle to access skilled labour and modern training.

4) Slow Technology Adoption

High upfront costs and limited digital connectivity delay innovation uptake.

 

4. WHY IT MATTERS

1) Strengthens National Food Security

Innovation ensures stable, affordable food supply for all Australians.

2) Boosts Export Competitiveness

High‑tech, sustainable agriculture enhances global market access.

3) Reduces Environmental Impact

Cleaner, smarter farming protects soil, water, and biodiversity.

4) Builds Regional Economic Growth

Innovation drives jobs, investment, and resilience in rural communities.

 

5. PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS (FIX PLAN)

🔴 Problem 1: Rising Costs & Low Margins

Fix:

  • Invest in automation and precision tools

  • Support bulk‑buying and cooperative models

  • Expand renewable energy adoption on farms

🔴 Problem 2: Climate Stress & Unpredictability

Fix:

  • Fund climate‑resilient crops and livestock

  • Improve water infrastructure and storage

  • Expand climate forecasting and early‑warning systems

🔴 Problem 3: Technology Access Gaps

Fix:

  • Subsidise digital connectivity in regional areas

  • Provide grants for farm tech adoption

  • Deliver national training programs

🔴 Problem 4: Export Barriers & Market Volatility

Fix:

  • Support value‑added processing

  • Strengthen trade diplomacy and certification pathways

  • Promote “Sustainable Australian Agriculture” branding

  •  

CONDENSED YEARLY COSTING MODEL — AFMA

Baseline + Uplift Investment Framework

 

BASELINE FUNDING (Already Provided)

  • Core AFMA budget: $0.16B

  • Compliance & vessel monitoring: $0.06B

  • Marine science & stock assessments: $0.05B

Total Baseline Funding:

$0.27B per year

 

PHASE 1 — FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Annual uplift: $0.22B – $0.32B 2‑year uplift total: $0.44B – $0.64B

 

PHASE 2 — ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Annual uplift: $0.32B – $0.45B 3‑year uplift total: $0.96B – $1.35B

 

PHASE 3 — EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Annual uplift: $0.42B – $0.58B 2‑year uplift total: $0.84B – $1.16B

 

PHASE 4 — FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

Annual uplift: $0.55B – $0.75B 4‑year uplift total: $2.20B – $3.00B

 

TOTAL INVESTMENT SUMMARY

6‑YEAR TOTAL

  • Uplift: $2.24B – $3.15B

  • Baseline: $1.62B

Total 6‑Year Investment:

$3.86B – $4.77B

10‑YEAR TOTAL

  • Uplift: $4.44B – $6.15B

  • Baseline: $2.70B

Total 10‑Year Investment:

$7.14B – $8.85B