Developing A Management Procedure Based Recovery Plan For Southern Bluefin Tuna
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$160,000.00
Summary
There is an immediate and strategic need for the CCSBT to agree to an MP to guide the global catch setting to ensure the rebuilding of the SBT stock. For this to occur, an MP needs to be developed and agreed by the CCSBT; failure to do so will result in the global catch of SBT being reduced to 5000-6000 t, with a subsequent significant impact on the Australian SBT fishery. Australia in collaboration with Japanese and other CCSBT member scientists are responsible for the development and evaluatio ....There is an immediate and strategic need for the CCSBT to agree to an MP to guide the global catch setting to ensure the rebuilding of the SBT stock. For this to occur, an MP needs to be developed and agreed by the CCSBT; failure to do so will result in the global catch of SBT being reduced to 5000-6000 t, with a subsequent significant impact on the Australian SBT fishery. Australia in collaboration with Japanese and other CCSBT member scientists are responsible for the development and evaluation of the MP, which in the context of a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO), such as CCSBT, is a unique and innovative concept that will establish a rebuilding pathway for the stock. Having a rebuilding strategy that has been rigorously and openly tested, is robust to the key fishery-specific issues and uncertainties, and establishes a process whereby decisions will be made and enforced will be a first in the tuna RFMO milieu.
As an effective recovery plan for SBT can only exist at the international level (given the shared nature of the resource) the development and adoption of the MP work can also be interpreted as a direct requirement of the current conservation dependent status of the stock. It is therefore essential to complete the MP development work for adoption by the Commission in 2011.
Objectives: 1. Development of candidate management procedures, within the CCSBT international collaborative scientific structure, to guide the recovery of Southern bluefin tuna 2. Define and compute a set of reference points for evaluating the performance of the MPs and the risk status of the stock that are consistent with both the rebuilding criteria and the underlying models used to evaluate the MPs themselves Read moreRead less
SCRC: Australian Seafood Apprentice Chef And Commercial Cookery Online Training Series
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
The pilot project aims to increase the proportion of local seafood on a selection of fine dining restaurant menus by educating apprentice chefs, qualified chefs and front-of-house restaurant staff using a novel training and assessment platform. The platform will be tested with Vocational Education and Training (VET) lecturers, apprentice chefs and front-of-house students to assess its remote learning capabilities. The platform is the addition of live, interactive videos undertaken for each of 6 ....The pilot project aims to increase the proportion of local seafood on a selection of fine dining restaurant menus by educating apprentice chefs, qualified chefs and front-of-house restaurant staff using a novel training and assessment platform. The platform will be tested with Vocational Education and Training (VET) lecturers, apprentice chefs and front-of-house students to assess its remote learning capabilities. The platform is the addition of live, interactive videos undertaken for each of 6 different, local seafood products. Led by an internationally trained chef. These classes will provide a definitive, locally relevant resource through a single portal that satisfies a current lack of information regarding local seafood.
Chefs need targeted education about a range of benefits (seasonality, health, sustainability, economic value, links with tourism, provenance, full utility of all parts of the animal etc) and training in preparing, cooking and serving local seafood. The local seafood story is attractive to consumers and chefs, and front-of-house staff need a mechanism and resource base to access this information. Vocational Education and Training Institutions need a relevant and flexible syllabus. The development of web-based, interactive vidoes offers the opportunity to meet that need through an innovative eLearning platform, incorporating edited vignettes linked to specific benefits. The platform will allow for relevant VET skill set and assessment.Read moreRead less
Development Of A Stock Protection System For Flexible Oceanic Pens Containing Finfish
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$83,139.13
Summary
In the financial year 1997/98 all Tasmanian fin fish farms experienced increased levels of seal interaction resulting in tangible losses of around $1.5 million. 164 seals were trapped and relocated in 1996/97 compared with 37 the year before and 10 when this form of management was first introduced. In response to the increase in interactions, the industry spent an estimated $ 1 million on upgrading predator nets over the last financial year. Licensed shooting, trapping and relocation of seals ha ....In the financial year 1997/98 all Tasmanian fin fish farms experienced increased levels of seal interaction resulting in tangible losses of around $1.5 million. 164 seals were trapped and relocated in 1996/97 compared with 37 the year before and 10 when this form of management was first introduced. In response to the increase in interactions, the industry spent an estimated $ 1 million on upgrading predator nets over the last financial year. Licensed shooting, trapping and relocation of seals have been used by the industry, in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Land Management, in previous years, but these methods are not considered to be either acceptable (because of risk of spreading disease, animal ethics concerns and fishery management issues), or cost effective.
The Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon industry is set to expand substantially in the short to medium term, with production projected to double within 5 years. With this expansion, new areas, both near shore and off shore will be developed for marine farming. Seal predation will be at least, if not more significant in these areas. The development of some aquaculture projects in other states, notably Western Australia, has been postponed due to perceived potential problems with seals, and the inadequacies in current stock protection systems.
The Southern Bluefin Tuna farming industry in South Australia, while relatively new already suffers large losses due to predation by sharks and seals. Losses due to predation by sharks and seals have a substantial impact on the industry, with annual direct losses estimated at $1.2 million and growing rapidly. Existing predator deterrent methods have not proven to be effective for the farming or towing conditions experienced by the industry. This project will contribute directly to the tuna industry by providing reviews of predator systems and designs of new nets to restrict predators affects on farms. Objectives: 1. Design one or more passive"combined" (above and below water) anti predator system models, based on industry experience, anti predator expertise and operational / mechanical suitability 2. Performance evaluation of (a) combined model systems under various flow and wave conditions, and (b) aerial anti predator system designs under commercial conditions in SA and/ or Tas 3. Provide plans/guidelines for the production of a commercial scale anti-predator system for testing under Tasmanian & SA conditions Read moreRead less
Development Of Vaccines And Rapid Diagnostic Monoclonal Antibodies Against Micro-organisms Associated With Diseases Of Wild And Cultured Finfish And Shellfish
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$166,772.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Identification and characterisation of species-specific antigenic determinants that are heat-stable components of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on pathogenic gram-negative bacteria. 2. Prepare a library of species and genus-specific monoclonal antibodies against the heat-stable LPS components of pathogenic gram-negative bacteria 3. Select appropriate hybridomas, that produce high affinity monoclonal antibodies, for transfer to strategic companies 4. Complete t ....Objectives: 1. Identification and characterisation of species-specific antigenic determinants that are heat-stable components of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on pathogenic gram-negative bacteria. 2. Prepare a library of species and genus-specific monoclonal antibodies against the heat-stable LPS components of pathogenic gram-negative bacteria 3. Select appropriate hybridomas, that produce high affinity monoclonal antibodies, for transfer to strategic companies 4. Complete the testing of specific LPS fragments extracted from one Vibrio species to produce vaccine against all Vibrio pathogens 5. Use the same approach as in (4) to test the genus-specific protection afforded by similar LPS fragrments extracted from additional pathogens, particularly Aeromonas salmonicida 6. Develop and market commercial products for use rapid diagnoses and in research of infections of wild and cultured fish and shellfish Read moreRead less
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Development Of Stable Positive Control Material And Development Of Internal Controls For Molecular Tests For Detection Of Important Endemic And Exotic Pathogens
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$172,185.00
Summary
Quality assured positive control material is critical to demonstrate an assay has performed as expected. Similarly, testing for internal control material ensures extraction procedures produced template of acceptable quality, free of test inhibitors. Both types of controls are particularly important where the samples are being tested to demonstrate freedom from disease (i.e. are negative).
One internal control target is the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. However, assays targeting 18S need to b ....Quality assured positive control material is critical to demonstrate an assay has performed as expected. Similarly, testing for internal control material ensures extraction procedures produced template of acceptable quality, free of test inhibitors. Both types of controls are particularly important where the samples are being tested to demonstrate freedom from disease (i.e. are negative).
One internal control target is the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. However, assays targeting 18S need to be optimised if multiplexed, 18S is ubiquitous (negative control reactions can test positive) and 18S is not applicable for crustacean samples. Other targets include genes of the host organism, which are often limited to a single species, and are an option that will be investigated for priority species. Plant viruses enable development of one internal control assay for RNA and one for DNA. Optimisation of each assay would still be required if multiplexed, one internal control and one set of primers/probe for any assay reduces costs, eliminates 18S contamination issues and is applicable for all hosts (i.e. finfish, mollusc, crustacean).
Synthetic RNA and plasmid DNA positive controls enable accurate quantification of targets, control over the level of positive template (i.e. added at levels approaching the limits of detection of the assay), are consistent and greatly aid troubleshooting when contamination occurs. They also eliminate the need to source infected animals for positive control material. AFDL implements OIE, EU and/or ANZSDPs for diagnostic assays, reducing the risk of test changes requiring redevelopment of positive controls, which are limitations of synthetic and plasmid controls.
Objectives: 1. Produce quantified synthetic RNA positive control material for conventional and real-time RT-PCR assays, available on request. 2. Produce quantified plasmid DNA positive control material for conventional and real-time PCR assays, available on request. 3. Optimised universal internal control based on plant viral RNA and DNA and/or species-specific genes for use in molecular assays developed and implemented 4. Technology transferred and adopted by participating laboratories. Read moreRead less
Development Of A Torres Strait Islander And Aboriginal Traditional Inhabitant Commercial Finfish Fishery Action Plan For The Torres Strait Finfish Fishery And Supporting Communications Plan
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$127,500.00
Summary
The project has been commissioned by TSRA to enable development of the Finfish Fishery as envisaged by TSRA and governments following the move to 100% traditional ownership of the fishery. It reflects the need to develop and implement practical and culturally appropriate business development and fisheries management strategies that can ultimately enable the fishery to operate as one of several sustainable, profitable, professional and highly valued Torres Strait Fisheries under traditional own ....The project has been commissioned by TSRA to enable development of the Finfish Fishery as envisaged by TSRA and governments following the move to 100% traditional ownership of the fishery. It reflects the need to develop and implement practical and culturally appropriate business development and fisheries management strategies that can ultimately enable the fishery to operate as one of several sustainable, profitable, professional and highly valued Torres Strait Fisheries under traditional ownership. The need for the project recognises that the capabilities, and aspirations of Traditional Owners are likely to evolve over time as the fishery and supporting capabilities develop. The fishery has previously generated substantially more revenue than it is currently generating and catches have declined significantly since the buyout and transfer of ownership to Traditional Owners. With a staged approach, based on a strong understanding of impediments to greater TO participation, and a logical pathway to build capabilities, supporting infrastructure and markets the fishery is well placed to contribute substantially to participants, Island communities and the region more broadly. Objectives: 1. Increasing Traditional Owner participation in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery 2. Increasing Torres Strait Islander and Indigenous employment in fishing and related industries by advancing successful commercial activities in the finfish fishery, including post-harvest matters such as potential markets and marketing strategies. 3. Safeguarding the sustainability of the finfish fishery as traditional ownership and participation in the fishery develops. Read moreRead less
SCRC: Seafood CRC Research Travel Grant: Learning The Practical Aspects Of Using Of Clay Particles To Improve Bacterial Management During Larval Culture, University Of Miami, Experimental Marine Hatchery