The potential reduction of regulatory thresholds for marine biotoxins in the EU will have significant negative economic consequences for the Australian oyster, mussel, scallop and abalone industries (and pipi’s if domestic regulatory thresholds also changed).
The scallop, oyster and mussel industry currently export product to the EU. Total scallop exports to the EU in 2006/2007 were valued at around $4,551,000 AUD (187 t). Other mollusc (including oysters and mussels) exports to the E ....The potential reduction of regulatory thresholds for marine biotoxins in the EU will have significant negative economic consequences for the Australian oyster, mussel, scallop and abalone industries (and pipi’s if domestic regulatory thresholds also changed).
The scallop, oyster and mussel industry currently export product to the EU. Total scallop exports to the EU in 2006/2007 were valued at around $4,551,000 AUD (187 t). Other mollusc (including oysters and mussels) exports to the EU in 2006/2007 were around $1,084,000 AUD (255 t). Due to the periodic occurrence of okadaic acid toxins and saxitoxins in Australian shellfish the implementation of reduced regulatory levels would reduce the amount of product eligible for export to the EU.
Exports of Australian abalone to the EU ceased in 2007, this was in part due to the enforcement of marine biotoxin regulatory limits by the EC. The wild caught abalone industry is attempting to regain market access to the EU through determining alternate risk management procedures for marine biotoxins in abalone. The reduction of regulatory levels for marine biotoxins may impinge on future EU access arrangements for Australian abalone.
Experience has repeatedly demonstrated that European decisions can impact on other more commercially significant markets, including Asia and the domestic market. Codex may also be prompted to change marine biotoxin guidance levels in response to EU changes. Wide spread adoption of reduced regulatory levels for marine biotoxins would result in increased growing area closures in Australia and less product eligible for sale. This proposal aims to assist in maintaining the current EU regulatory limits for marine biotoxins which will allow the current amount of shellfish to be exported to the EU and avoid other markets being influenced.
Objectives: 1. Undertake robust technical review of the European Food Safety Authority risk assessments on saxitoxin and okadaic acid group toxins. 2. Submit the technical review and a rationale for maintaining current marine biotoxin regulatory limits to the European Commission. 3. Convene a working group to determine future steps required to mitigate potential lowering of marine biotoxin regulatory limits. Read moreRead less
Through existing farming practices it is apparent that there are several factors which may be limiting production and ultimately revenue.
Firstly, there is a need to identify an “ideal production strategy” to achieve forecast production levels. As temperature significantly affects YTK growth, feed conversion ratios and health, it is essential that the relationship between growth and temperature is investigated in fish of various sizes. This information will enable CST to make informed ....Through existing farming practices it is apparent that there are several factors which may be limiting production and ultimately revenue.
Firstly, there is a need to identify an “ideal production strategy” to achieve forecast production levels. As temperature significantly affects YTK growth, feed conversion ratios and health, it is essential that the relationship between growth and temperature is investigated in fish of various sizes. This information will enable CST to make informed decisions on size and time of stocking YTK into sea cages. It is anticipated that this will improve production through shortening the production cycle and will reduce the standing biomass in the water, ultimately increasing farm profitability.
Secondly, maturation may be a constraining factor in YTK production, reducing somatic growth. There are also flesh quality concerns which threaten sales of YTK harvested in November-December, a period when males exhibit maturation. However preliminary analysis of work carried out in Seafood CRC project 2008/901 suggests that male maturity did not have a significant deleterious effect on the flesh quality at that time. Though there are numerous strategies to manage maturation it is initially necessary to characterise the occurrence of maturation and the factors controlling it. With this information, appropriate mitigation strategies can be introduced resulting in economic benefits to the YTK industry.
Lastly, as production is poised to increase, it is imperative that substantial markets are developed for YTK product. One way of increasing sales is to ensure product sold is consistently of the highest possible quality. By attaining knowledge on the quality attributes, shelf-life and nutritional content of the product, producers will be able to tailor a product to specific market requirements. Likewise, as processing techniques and cold chain supply routes are diverse, it is imperative that information is attained on how these influence the quality of the product.Read moreRead less
Seafood CRC: Australian Edible Oyster Industry Business Plan
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$3,344.10
Summary
The project aims to a) resolve a lack of direction for the oyster industry's R & D investment and b) provide direction for the industry's growth. In order to construct this it is essential to examine: • Market development • Production efficiencies • Supply chain management • Environmental sustainability • Community perception • Industry structure • Human capital • Regulatory environment • Financial performance
The overarching objective is to facilitat ....The project aims to a) resolve a lack of direction for the oyster industry's R & D investment and b) provide direction for the industry's growth. In order to construct this it is essential to examine: • Market development • Production efficiencies • Supply chain management • Environmental sustainability • Community perception • Industry structure • Human capital • Regulatory environment • Financial performance
The overarching objective is to facilitate industry growth, value and increase farm profitability, hence the reason for a Business Plan rather than a strategic plan.
The Consortium has purposely named the project ‘Business Plan’ as it needed a plan that; • is more than a strategic plan confined to R & D purposes • will contain achievable profitability and growth goals having examined industry financials and other constraints • will propose models for conducting the future ‘business’ of the oyster industry, one of which is likely to be a new incorporated national entity
Each state has varying levels of strategic plans, some designed for policy direction, others for R&D, but none examine the industry at a national level. To assist industry set future strategies an analysis of the national industry and development of a 5 year business plan is required. The business plan will be used to guide industry advocacy, policy and R&D groups at a state and national level. Objectives: 1. Provide direction to facilitate industry growth, value and increase farm profitability through a 5 Year Business Plan for the period 2010 - 2014 2. Provide direction for industry R & D, policy and advocacy work through a 5 Year Business Plan 3. Create a 5 Year Business Plan, encompassing Sydney Rock and Pacific Oysters in all oyster producing states, containing a series of national prioritised strategies and objectives in each of the key areas: Market development, Production efficiencies, Supply chain management, Environmental sustainability, Community perception, Industry structure, Human capital, Regulatory environment and Financial performance Read moreRead less
Seafood CRC: Review Of The 2012 Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Non-compliance Incident In Tasmania
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$149,085.00
Summary
In October 2012 a shipment of mussels derived from the east coast of Tasmania was rejected by Japanese import authorities due to the presence of unacceptable levels of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs). Mussel samples were collected and tested from the implicated consignment and harvest area and it became apparent that the mussels had bioaccumulated PSTs through feeding on a bloom of the dinoflagellate algae Alexandrium tamarense group IV.
Following the initial discovery, additional sea ....In October 2012 a shipment of mussels derived from the east coast of Tasmania was rejected by Japanese import authorities due to the presence of unacceptable levels of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs). Mussel samples were collected and tested from the implicated consignment and harvest area and it became apparent that the mussels had bioaccumulated PSTs through feeding on a bloom of the dinoflagellate algae Alexandrium tamarense group IV.
Following the initial discovery, additional seawater and bivalve samples revealed the presence of A. tamarense cells and PSTs in bivalves at several sites between Eddystone Point and Marion Bay. By early November 2012 it was revealed that scallops and rocklobsters were also impacted by PSTs and concerns were raised that other fishery products, such as sea urchins, abalone and periwinkles may also be implicated.
The presence of the PSTs at high levels in mussels represented a major breakdown in the TSQAP management plan for biotoxins in the shellfish industry. It has also raised concerns from fisheries and health personnel regarding the potential need for marine biotoxin management plans for other fisheries products, such as rocklobsters. The full impact of the algal bloom is not known at this time, however some estimates suggest cost to the bivalve sector (including multiplier effect) of $7 million (mussels = $2million; oysters = $2 million; scallops = $3million) and to the rocklobster industry of around $4-5 million (80 – 100 tonnes behind at time of writing).
Given the loss of revenue, costs of rehabilitation and damage to the industry’s reputation as a safe producer of seafood, a review is required to determine the key factors that led to the non-compliance event, and critically, to learn from this event so as to assist in the development of strategies to reduce the probability of future events occurring and impact.
Objectives: 1. What factors (e.g. biological, monitoring faults) led to the non-compliance event? 2. What have been the impacts of the non-compliance event on the Tasmanian shellfish industry and its stakeholders? 3. What similarities can be drawn from other non-compliance events domestically or internationally? 4. What are the key improvements that can be made to the TSQAP Biotoxin Management Plan to reduce the impact (likelihood and severity) of future non-compliance events? 5. What lessons can other bivalve producing states learn from this experience? 6. Is there a need to strengthen the ASQAP manual of operations around biotoxins? 7. What can the other fishery sectors (e.g. rocklobster and abalone) learn from the bivalve experience to reduce the impact of algal bloom incidents? 8. What can be done to improve communication and incident response for future events with nation-wide impacts? Read moreRead less
SCRC: PhD: Improvement Of Abalone Nutrition With Macroalgae Addition
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
The Australian Abalone Growers’ Association met in September 2009 and identified their priority areas for research. Their two highest priorities were: 1. Identification of nutritional requirements for abalone at different life stages; and 2. Identification of nutritional requirements for abalone for different seasons. Thus, this is clearly an area requiring research and collaboration with abalone growers. Therefore this project will contribute directly towards two of the industry’s identified pr ....The Australian Abalone Growers’ Association met in September 2009 and identified their priority areas for research. Their two highest priorities were: 1. Identification of nutritional requirements for abalone at different life stages; and 2. Identification of nutritional requirements for abalone for different seasons. Thus, this is clearly an area requiring research and collaboration with abalone growers. Therefore this project will contribute directly towards two of the industry’s identified priorities through enhancing the information generated by 2010/736.
This project lies directly within the A and B of Seafood Theme outcomes. In particular, this project addresses outcomes 1 (Academic researchers with specialist skills and knowledge specific to the seafood industry continue to be available to provide research and technical capacity to the Australian seafood industry) and 2 (CRC industry participants have the necessary skills to implement CRC research results for the use in the aquaculture and wild harvest businesses).Read moreRead less
Cultured Pearl Classification Equipment Development
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$89,052.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To develop and build for the Australian pearl industry a flexible conveniently operable and consistent pearl quality classifying instruments
SCRC: RTG:To Learn Practical Skills In Conducting Viral Disease Challenge Techniques In Penaeid Prawn Species Using White-spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) As A Model Virus To Be Conducted At Shrimp Biotechnology Business Unit (BIOTEC), Pathumthani, Thailand.
2020-2025 Strategic Plan For The Australian Oyster Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$33,000.00
Summary
The Australian oyster industry has changed considerably since the last national strategic plan was developed in 2014. Disease outbreaks have devasted some regions through direct & in-directs impacts, new cultivation methods have evolved, there has been a shift to corporatisation, and considerable investment & interest has developed for an emerging tropical rock oyster industry in the north of the country. This changing landscape presents new challenges and opportunities.
With the Covid ....The Australian oyster industry has changed considerably since the last national strategic plan was developed in 2014. Disease outbreaks have devasted some regions through direct & in-directs impacts, new cultivation methods have evolved, there has been a shift to corporatisation, and considerable investment & interest has developed for an emerging tropical rock oyster industry in the north of the country. This changing landscape presents new challenges and opportunities.
With the Covid-19 pandemic set to impact significantly on the Australian oyster industry through reduced sales, the need to refocus and unify behind a national strategic plan has never been greater.
Objectives: 1. Develop and extend a Strategic Plan for the Australian Oyster Industry (2020-2025) Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. Continue hatchery rearing of commercial scallops (Pecten meridionalis) during winter months. 2. utilise existing facilities to rear pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) for settlement on cultch for suspended culture during summer months