Upskilling Australian Barramundi Farmers On Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Identification, Monitoring And Fish Health Management Tools
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$80,601.00
Summary
The occurrence of harmful algal blooms on Australian barramundi farms is an established threat that appears to be increasing in frequency and has already caused a significant economic impact to affected farms. As the Australian barramundi industry expands it is anticipated the frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms may increase. The potential cost savings from preventing or minimising the impact of a single harmful algal bloom can be significant (potentially up to $300,000 per case). Thi ....The occurrence of harmful algal blooms on Australian barramundi farms is an established threat that appears to be increasing in frequency and has already caused a significant economic impact to affected farms. As the Australian barramundi industry expands it is anticipated the frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms may increase. The potential cost savings from preventing or minimising the impact of a single harmful algal bloom can be significant (potentially up to $300,000 per case). This would provide an immediate return on the research investment of this project. The widespread and remote location of Australian barramundi farms limits the ability to quickly get suspect bloom samples to an appropriate analytical laboratory and receive diagnosis within a timeframe that is appropriate for response to an emergent harmful event, whereby emergency actions could be taken to minimise impact. There is a critical need for increasing awareness, further education and training, and provision of initial guideline tools to help farm staff differentiate harmful from harmless blooms and respond to these events accordingly. This first step will facilitate farms to develop monitoring programs to detect and respond to problem blooms prior to the encountering of large-scale mortality events. Objectives: 1. Compilation of a manual to assist the identification of potentially harmful and commonly encountered algae species likely to be found in Australian freshwater and saltwater barramundi farms. 2. Assembling an algae identification kit including necessary sampling equipment and guidelines. 3. Collection and algae analysis of water samples from participating farms for inclusion in the algae identification manual and discussion at the 1-day workshop. 4. Review of literature on known control and prevention methods of harmful algal blooms in aquaculture ponds including identification of knowledge gaps and areas for further research. 5. Run a 1-day workshop to train and educate participating staff from ABFA member farms on algal identification, quantification, and management options. Read moreRead less
Management And Delivery Of The Oysters Australia RD&E Plan 2020-2025
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$332,000.00
Summary
Oysters Australia has provided national coordination of RD&E since 2011 following the successful Oyster Consortium trial through the Seafood CRC. Prior to this, the industry invested on a state-by-state basis via the FRAB system, and often in isolation to each other. There are considerable advantages of RD&E collaboration across states, however funds are required to facilitate consultation and to coordinate investment.
This consultation includes the establishment of an R&D Committee, w ....Oysters Australia has provided national coordination of RD&E since 2011 following the successful Oyster Consortium trial through the Seafood CRC. Prior to this, the industry invested on a state-by-state basis via the FRAB system, and often in isolation to each other. There are considerable advantages of RD&E collaboration across states, however funds are required to facilitate consultation and to coordinate investment.
This consultation includes the establishment of an R&D Committee, which enables members to learn about cutting-edge oyster research and discuss changing priorities. It also supports the development of up-and-coming researchers by exposing them to industry leaders in the sector.
In 2020, following a lengthy development process, Oysters Australia launched a new Strategic Plan 2020-2025 (FRDC project 2019-208). Accompanying this release, OA also made a call for projects and received 22 EOI's requesting funds totalling almost $10m. Working through the R&D Committee, OA are systematically reviewing these applications and will be recommending a suite of projects to progress to full application in FishNet and subsequent funding through the Oysters IPA.
Further calls for applications will be made to strategically address industry priorities over the next 5 years, as outlined in the Oysters Australia – FRDC IPA agreement.
In addition to guiding investment through the IPA, OA is also frequently pulled into other RD&E issues and exposed to opportunities of potential national importance to the oyster industry. This includes Centre of Excellence and Cooperative Research Centre proposals, negotiations regarding the aquatic EADRA, the Australian Governments AquaPlan, SafeFish and various other programs.
This project will enable Oysters Australia to continue providing national support on such matters, and to guide further industry investment in priority RD&E. Objectives: 1. By June 2026, commission and manage a portfolio of RD&E projects which address the strategic outcomes outlined in the Oysters Australia Strategic Plan. 2. Maintain a functional, cohesive Oysters Australia R&D group to build knowledge and guide strategic investment. 3. By June 2026, ensure that all new R&D funded through the Oysters IPA is extended to industry, encompassing the development and maintenance of a hub of project resources and communication material on the Oysters Australia website. 4. Over the life of the project, provide coordination and leadership on matters of national importance to the oyster industry. Read moreRead less
Management Of Australian Abalone Growers Association's RD&E Portfolio, 2022-2026
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$240,000.00
Summary
The AAGA Strategic plan recognises the opportunities from integration of scientific disciples. The functions described in this application are needed to plan and manage AAGA's RD&E portfolio in concert with our FRDC IPA 2021-2026 to ensure that research continues to provide results that address key priority areas of the industry. Specifically the functions needed to achieve this are:
A: Develop collaborations with R&D agencies to address the goals of AAGA's Strategic Plan: 1. Farm I ....The AAGA Strategic plan recognises the opportunities from integration of scientific disciples. The functions described in this application are needed to plan and manage AAGA's RD&E portfolio in concert with our FRDC IPA 2021-2026 to ensure that research continues to provide results that address key priority areas of the industry. Specifically the functions needed to achieve this are:
A: Develop collaborations with R&D agencies to address the goals of AAGA's Strategic Plan: 1. Farm Innovation: Including development and adoption of new technologies such as AI, ICT and robotics. Refinement of techniques and procedures to drive farm efficiencies. 2. Genetics: Establishing a national genetics/breeding program to enhance growth and resilience of stocks linked to nutrition and warming water temperatures due to climate change. 3. Nutrition: Linked to genetics (above) and recognising and developing novel feed sources that may increase growth and resilience (including summer mortality) and improve sustainability. 4. Animal Health and Biosecurity: Including better understanding and mitigation of summer mortality. Integrating health and management practices. Vigilance through active disease/health surveillance. Benchmarking health and productivity. 5. Sustainable Farming: Investigating interactions between water quality, stocking density, growth, yield and husbandry refinements including humane handling practices. Planning adaption to the low carbon economy, improving energy efficiency and progression towards carbon neutrality. Benchmarking socio-economics. 6. Human Capacity: Including improved staff training and links to farm innovations to improve WH&S, staff satisfaction and retention. Providing opportunities for students and researchers. 7. Market Development: Precompetitive generic marketing, participation in trade shows, potential for greater domestic accessibility to our products. 8. Governance: Ensuring AAGA's service capacity to industry via our new constitution (2020) and adequate funding of the AAGA EO for good governance.
B: Ensure rapid dissemination, extension and uptake of the outcomes of R&D to AAGA members.
C: Identify alternative sources of funding that can be accessed through co-investment in additional RD&E projects to achieve greater outcomes for our industry.
Objectives: 1. Efficient Management of AAGA's FRDC IPA 2. Effective Communication (Extension) of R&D results 3. Adoption of resulting technologies on farms Read moreRead less
Developing Leadership And Networking Capability In Australian Prawn Farming
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$30,000.00
Summary
This project addresses a key R&D priority of the APFA Strategic Plan 2020-2025: Human Capital and Emerging Technologies. The APFA is committed to continuing to develop an industry wide workforce development plan that encourages leadership, upskilling and opportunities. This project seeks to upskill members from 2022-2024 by providing a scholarship to support APFA members to participate in the NSILP training, the industry will benefit from an increased capability and provide opportunities to deve ....This project addresses a key R&D priority of the APFA Strategic Plan 2020-2025: Human Capital and Emerging Technologies. The APFA is committed to continuing to develop an industry wide workforce development plan that encourages leadership, upskilling and opportunities. This project seeks to upskill members from 2022-2024 by providing a scholarship to support APFA members to participate in the NSILP training, the industry will benefit from an increased capability and provide opportunities to develop effective business strategy. Additionally, this project seeks to fund 2 APFA members to attend conferences/workshops which provide leadership opportunities. APFA members will benefit from exposure to the wider Australian seafood industry that will stimulate innovation and networking to discuss industry issues, workshop solutions, teach best practices, share knowledge, and plan for the future of the seafood industry. Objectives: 1. Sponsorship towards members to participating in the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program 2. Sponsorship towards leadership opportunities through attendance at leadership development programs and/or industry conferences Read moreRead less
ABFA IPA: RD&E Project Investment And Management Via ABFA Strategic Plan 2021-2025
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$290,901.00
Summary
The Australian Barramundi Farmers' Association(ABFA) is the peak representative organisation for the Australian farmed barramundi industry. We exist to facilitate the profitable and responsible development of the Australian Farmed Barramundi industry. reserch, development and extension of knowledge to industry is a core function of the association.
There is a need to maintain cohesive and strategic direction of ABFA RD&E in line with the ABFA 2020-25 Strategic Plan, and in alignment w ....The Australian Barramundi Farmers' Association(ABFA) is the peak representative organisation for the Australian farmed barramundi industry. We exist to facilitate the profitable and responsible development of the Australian Farmed Barramundi industry. reserch, development and extension of knowledge to industry is a core function of the association.
There is a need to maintain cohesive and strategic direction of ABFA RD&E in line with the ABFA 2020-25 Strategic Plan, and in alignment with the Indusry partnership Agreement. Communication and extension across members, service providers, funders and other key stakeholder groups on RD&E needs and outcomes is required.
This project is needed to give effect to the ABFA's responsibilities in planning, investing in and managing of RD&E and the adoption of RD&E results, in acordance with the IPA.
Objectives: 1. Maintain cohesive and strategic direction of ABFA RD&E in line with the ABFA Strategic Plan 2. Support development and management of RD&E that addresses industry priorities 3. Effective communication and extension across members, service providers, funders and other key stakeholder groups 4. Identify opportunities for additional leveraging, cash and in-kind contributions. Read moreRead less
Environmental and behavioural approaches for parasite resistant aquaculture. In modern fish aquaculture, parasite infections threaten efficient production. Ecological problems also arise when fish farms amplify parasite populations and cause outbreaks in surrounding wild fish populations. Present control methods rarely integrate the behaviour of the host fish. This project aims to assess the behaviours of hosts and the mechanisms that lead to parasite outbreaks. It will develop behavioural appro ....Environmental and behavioural approaches for parasite resistant aquaculture. In modern fish aquaculture, parasite infections threaten efficient production. Ecological problems also arise when fish farms amplify parasite populations and cause outbreaks in surrounding wild fish populations. Present control methods rarely integrate the behaviour of the host fish. This project aims to assess the behaviours of hosts and the mechanisms that lead to parasite outbreaks. It will develop behavioural approaches that separate host and parasite, reduce infection, and altering host behaviour to improve the effectiveness of treatments and minimise their environmental impacts. This project aims to create novel methods to control parasites in ways that limit their ability to evolve resistance.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH210100014
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,996,503.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture Through Genetic Solutions. This project will deliver the genetic knowledge to instigate world-leading and highly productive breeding programs for five tropical aquaculture species (barramundi, pearl oyster, prawn, grouper and marine algae) in northern Australia. It will integrate cutting edge genetic and genomic approaches into innovative aquaculture enterprises and will establish a novel understanding of the genetic basis of disease resist ....ARC Research Hub for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture Through Genetic Solutions. This project will deliver the genetic knowledge to instigate world-leading and highly productive breeding programs for five tropical aquaculture species (barramundi, pearl oyster, prawn, grouper and marine algae) in northern Australia. It will integrate cutting edge genetic and genomic approaches into innovative aquaculture enterprises and will establish a novel understanding of the genetic basis of disease resistance and how the production environment interfaces with the bacterial microbiome, pathogens and water quality to cause disease. Outcomes will lead to increased productivity, international competitiveness, and lowered disease risk and significantly expand Australia's capacity in the aquaculture sector.Read moreRead less
Assessment Of The Utility Of Genomics For Sydney Rock Oyster Breeding
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$620,000.00
Summary
Genomics is routinely used across many livestock and plant breeding industries. It is now practical, within certain considerations, to consider applying genomic selection to aquaculture breeding programs due to significant cost reductions in the last decade. Its use in aquaculture breeding programs is increasing and genomics has already been researched for oyster breeding by USC (Vu et al. 2021a; Vu et al. 2021b).
Genomic selection has the potential to reduce the cost of estimating bre ....Genomics is routinely used across many livestock and plant breeding industries. It is now practical, within certain considerations, to consider applying genomic selection to aquaculture breeding programs due to significant cost reductions in the last decade. Its use in aquaculture breeding programs is increasing and genomics has already been researched for oyster breeding by USC (Vu et al. 2021a; Vu et al. 2021b).
Genomic selection has the potential to reduce the cost of estimating breeding values, which presently is a costly and challenging exercise with SROs and also may potentially increase genetic progress and selection accuracy for the SRO BP. The research proposed in this application will evaluate if it is possible to increase genetic progress for the productivity traits of QX disease resistance and growth as well as the product quality trait of meat condition. Increased QX survival and growth are particularly important traits for the SRO industry at this current time due to Port Stephens, the second largest SRO producing estuary in NSW, reeling from the impact of QX disease outbreaks. Climate change resilience is a new trait being investigated for incorporation into the breeding program for industry to respond to this threat. We would also like to assess whether genomics can provide a pathway to increase selection for resilience.
This project has been developed in line with the Oysters Australia Strategic Plan 2020 and the FRDC R&D Plan 2020-2025. The outcomes from this project will assess the feasibility of increasing selection accuracy for traits that improve productivity (growth and meat condition) as well as reduce impacts caused by QX disease and climate change through breeding for resilience. The outcomes will assess the possibility to improve genetic selections for multiple traits such that oysters can be selected on their ability to adapt to new climate conditions, survive QX disease whilst having faster growth and better meat condition. Additionally, this project will build new knowledge skills and networks through a NSW DPI, The University of the Sunshine Coast and The University of New South Wales alliance as well as create post-doctoral study opportunities. These meet the goals in Program 1, 2 and 3 outlined in the 2020-2025 Oysters Australia Strategic Plan.
With respect to the FRDC R&D Plan 2020-2025, this project will build capacity and create knowledge through developing skills and networks between NSW DPI, The University of the Sunshine Coast and The University of NSW to breed oysters that offer oyster businesses greater profitability, reduced risk and that can adapt to changing environments.
This project will explore alternative methods to what is presently used for SRO breeding to assess feasibility of genomic selection and what might be required today to move towards genomic selection in the future. This project will start compiling a reference library for SROs that can be used in the future and promote innovation in SRO breeding to integrate the technology developed from this project. Moreover, costs associated with genomic selection are reducing which increases the value proposition for incorporation into the future. The ultimate success and transfer of outcomes from this project to end user beneficiaries will be through incorporation of these new technologies into the SRO breeding program. Objectives: 1. Collect tissue samples using non-lethal methods and tagging to identify oysters 2. Sequence the whole genomes of selected individuals at high read depth, which will serve as the genotype resource for the project 3. Identify the associations between genotypes and phenotypes and compile a list of genetic markers and the genes associated with QX survival, whole weight and meat condition to then use modelling (for genomic predictions) to give individuals breeding values Read moreRead less