Territorian fishers and aquaculturists involved in Indigenous, commercial and recreational fishing and aquaculture have a new local contact for Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
Darwin-based FRDC extension officer Lauren Thornton has been appointed to help tailor research and development (R&D) to meet the needs of fisheries stakeholders and increase the uptake of research outcomes.
She is part of a new national network of FRDC extension officers appointed in response to feedback from the corporation’s stakeholders 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 are helping to increase FRDC’s engagement with people at the grassroots.
“Their broad remit 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.”
Over the last six years Lauren worked for Kakadu National Park, where she engaged with experts including Traditional Owners and scientists. This unique and invaluable experience has given Lauren the expertise to effectively educate stakeholders, community, and educational groups. Lauren has enjoyed talking all things fishing at various shows including Darwin 4WD, Boating and Camping Expo and fishing competitions on behalf of Kakadu, over the last few years.
Similarly, to Lauren’s current role as an Extension Officer, her life’s work requires a rich understanding and strong communication of natural resource management. Lauren’s previous roles have included Community Engagement and Education Co-ordinator as well as Indigenous Tourism Development Officer.
In her spare time Lauren is a keen angler and Top End explorer. Her favourite location is the East Alligator River (Erre), where you might bump into her catching a barra or two.
Lauren is keen to help foster strong and inspiring relationships between the people involved in Indigenous, commercial and recreational fishing and aquaculture. She believes these communities must be supported with clear communication about relevant R&D so that Top End people and marine and aquatic life can thrive.
Lauren is keen to
