A Preliminary Assessment Of The Genetic Population Structure Of Asterias Amurensis In Tasmania
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$38,343.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Determine whether the introduced seastar is the southern sub-species, Japanese and Russian populations of Asterias amurensis versicolor or a northern sub-species 2. Determine whether the Tasmanian populations are derived from one or several introductions 3. Determine whether the invasion of Tasmanian waters has been accompanied by a loss of genetic variation with respect to native populations
NCCP: Defining Best Practice For Viral Susceptibility Testing Of Non-target Species To Cyprinid Herpesvirus 3 -a Discussion Paper Based On Systematic Quantitative Literature Reviews
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$124,626.00
Summary
The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP), an initiative of the Australian government, aims to reduce common carp numbers in Australian waters. A key aspect of this plan is to use a biological control agent to kill common carp in waters of the Murray-Darling basin. Since 2008 CSIRO researchers have been investigating the potential for Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) to control common carp numbers in this region as well as exploring potential negative outcomes arising from the introduction of this ex ....The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP), an initiative of the Australian government, aims to reduce common carp numbers in Australian waters. A key aspect of this plan is to use a biological control agent to kill common carp in waters of the Murray-Darling basin. Since 2008 CSIRO researchers have been investigating the potential for Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) to control common carp numbers in this region as well as exploring potential negative outcomes arising from the introduction of this exotic virus. One critical issue is the potential for non-target species (NTS) to be infected and negatively affected by CyHV-3. Susceptibility studies performed in vitro and in vivo were undertaken and used to predict in situ outcomes. These studies indicated that NTS tested were not susceptible to CyHV-3. However, since the publication of these results, stakeholder groups have raised several concerns. These concerns must be resolved to mitigate against the infection of NTS by CyHV-3 and to ensure continued stakeholder engagement. Six areas of concern have been raised by stakeholders. 1. Immune-competency status of fish was not considered in susceptibility studies 2. Techniques used to determine viral infection were perceived to be unreliable 3. Undiagnosed mortalities of NTS were not adequately addressed 4. Positive PCR test results observed in NTS were not adequately explained 5. Only mature or advanced juvenile fish were assessed for susceptibility to CyHV-3 6. The range of NTS investigated for susceptibility was limited and did not include a number of species that may be exposed to CyHV-3 It is proposed that a discussion paper be prepared to examine these issues. This paper would determine if previous susceptibility testing for CyHV-3 in the NCCP adequately addressed those issues detailed above. Using the information collected, recommendations for susceptibility testing of NTS to CyHV-3 in the context of the NCCP would be presented. The current understanding of what constitutes best practice for viral susceptibility testing at the time of the review would also be discussed. This would include a commentary on the predictive capacity of in vitro and in vivo studies when translated to the in situ environment.
Objectives: 1. The overarching objective of this project is to investigate potential problems, limitations and concerns related to viral susceptibility testing of NTS to CyHV-3 in the context of the NCCP and to define what constitutes best practice in viral susceptibility testing. 2. Review and discuss the implications of immune-competency status in pathogen susceptibility testing of aquatic organisms. 3. Review the range of techniques for assessing viral infection in aquatic animals and evaluate their accuracy and reliability. 4. Discuss the occurrence and implications of undiagnosed mortalities and ‘false positives’ in pathogen susceptibility studies. 5. Determine, based on existing literature, potential differences in the susceptibility of larval, juvenile and mature fish to viruses. 6. Investigate, based on existing literature, the potential for fish and other aquatic organisms beyond those previously investigated by the NCCP to become infected by CyHV-3 as a result of actions of the NCCP. Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. Identify diseases, parasites and other organisms associated with the introduction of oysters into Australia from Japan and other possible sources. 2. Study diseases and parasites in indigenous oyster populations
Tactical Research Fund: Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Viral Presence, Prevalence And Disease Management In Wild Populations Of The Australian Black Tiger Prawn (Penaeus Monodon)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
In 2012, diseased P. monodon from North-QLD farms were investigated by QDAFF, Townsville. All prawns tested negative using an OIE-endorsed YHV-1 specific PCR test but positive to GAV (YHV-2) and to YHV-1 using OIE-endorsed nested PCR tests designed to co-detect and differentiate YHV-1 from GAV. However, consistent with the YHV-1 specific PCR test data, none of the diseased P. monodon displayed histopathology consistent with acute YHV-1 infection.
Analyses undertaken at CSIRO-AAHL confi ....In 2012, diseased P. monodon from North-QLD farms were investigated by QDAFF, Townsville. All prawns tested negative using an OIE-endorsed YHV-1 specific PCR test but positive to GAV (YHV-2) and to YHV-1 using OIE-endorsed nested PCR tests designed to co-detect and differentiate YHV-1 from GAV. However, consistent with the YHV-1 specific PCR test data, none of the diseased P. monodon displayed histopathology consistent with acute YHV-1 infection.
Analyses undertaken at CSIRO-AAHL confirmed the presence of GAV but not YHV-1. In two OIE-endorsed PCR tests, GAV sequences were also amplified by primers supposed to be specific for YHV-1. When an OIE-endorsed PCR test designed to detect all YHV genotypes was applied to tissue from healthy P. monodon broodstock imported into QLD from NT, sequence analyses identified an undescribed unique genotype designated tentatively as YHV-7. YHV-7 was also amplified by a CSIRO in-house real-time PCR test designed to be specific to the YHV-1.
Wild QLD broodstock are increasingly being replaced by wild NT broodstock to produce resilient fast growing P. monodon for aquaculture. The finding of YHV-7, with unknown pathogenic potential and distribution, highlights the potential risks of translocated broodstock spreading unwanted new pathogens to regions with substantial aquaculture interest, and supports a need to update decade-old data on what viruses might exist in NT and QLD populations of P. monodon.
Collectively these discoveries highlight urgent needs to (i) re-evaluate genotype specificities of OIE-endorsed PCR tests for different YHV genotypes (ii) redesign PCR tests to improve their power to discriminate YHV-1 from less virulent genotypes and (iii) re-assess the prevalence of GAV and related genotypes (YHV-7) and other endemic viruses potentially problematic to aquaculture (MoV, MBV, HPV, SMV, IHHNV) in wild P. monodon broodstock sourced from the NT and QLD.
Objectives: 1. Determine what GAV/YHV genotypes exist and their relative prevalence in wild P. monodon populations in NT/WA/QLD from which broodstock are captured for aquaculture purposes 2. Revise PCR test designs as necessary to ensure their specificity, particularly in discriminating the highly virulent YHV-1 strain that emerged in Thailand in the early 1990’s from GAV and the other known YHV genotypic variants that appear to be far less pathogenic, and make these tests available for publication in the OIE Diagnostic Manual for Yellow head disease 3. Acquire and/or generate appropriate control nucleic acids specific to the various YHV genotypes for use in YHV-1 or other genotype-specific PCR tests so that their diagnostic specificity can be validated at key diagnostic laboratories (eg. CSIRO-AAHL), and so they can be made available to state and international laboratories with needs for equivalent diagnostic capabilities. 4. Determine the existence and prevalence of other endemic viruses [eg. Mourilyan virus (MoV), Monodon baculovirus (MBV), Hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV), Spawner-isolated mortality virus (SMV) and Infectious hypodermal and haematopoetic necrosis virus (IHHNV)] in wild P. monodon populations in the NT and QLD. In addition, test samples for the exotic viruses WSSV and IMNV given some broodstock are sourced from waters with a higher than usual likelihood of incursion from these pathogens. Read moreRead less
CRC Northern Australia - Biosecurity In Northern Australian Prawn Aquaculture
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$136,145.45
Summary
The threat of both endemic and exotic pathogens is now the biggest management issue the Australian prawn farming industry is facing. Although the industry has conducted biosecurity risk assessments in the past these have been either generic in regards to biosecurity pathways, or formed based on a poor understanding of what pathogens may actually be on-farm and an immediate threat (i.e largely from literature searches). Without a through knowledge of pathogens currently in the industry informed ....The threat of both endemic and exotic pathogens is now the biggest management issue the Australian prawn farming industry is facing. Although the industry has conducted biosecurity risk assessments in the past these have been either generic in regards to biosecurity pathways, or formed based on a poor understanding of what pathogens may actually be on-farm and an immediate threat (i.e largely from literature searches). Without a through knowledge of pathogens currently in the industry informed risk assessments that capture the real threats cannot be developed. Additionally, the industry has no baseline to know if emerging diseases have previously been on-farm and latent, or are newly introduced. Industry also is being impacted by unknown syndromes which are reducing hatchery seedstock production and/or growout production. There is concern within industry that there are factors / diseases impacting production and profitability that are not clearly defined, quantified or unknown. As these syndromes occur there is a need to identify what pathogens may be causing the issues so management practices can adapt to reduce their impacts. Objectives: 1. Undertake on-farm biosecurity review 2. Identify and list the diversity of known pathogenic organisms present in Australian prawn hatcheries and farms 3. Investigate on farm emerging pathogens/biosecurity incidents 4. Produce industry-wide risk biosecurity situation report Read moreRead less
NCCP: Essential Studies On Cyprinid Herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) Prior To Release Of The Virus In Australian Waters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$406,564.50
Summary
Studies underpinning the further development of an epidemiological model As the modelling work has progressed, the modelling team has determined that understanding transmission is a critical factor in the further development of the model. This will be addressed by two projects: (1) The relative amounts of virus in the skin and mucus of infected fish vs shed virus in the water (2) The relative importance of direct versus indirect transmission of CyHV-3 between fish
Studies underpinning the further development of an epidemiological model As the modelling work has progressed, the modelling team has determined that understanding transmission is a critical factor in the further development of the model. This will be addressed by two projects: (1) The relative amounts of virus in the skin and mucus of infected fish vs shed virus in the water (2) The relative importance of direct versus indirect transmission of CyHV-3 between fish
Objectives: 1. Determine the most important form of transmission of CyHV-3 between carp. Read moreRead less
NCCP: Review Of Carp Control Via Commercial Exploitation
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$36,863.00
Summary
The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) is presently considering strategies that will effect widespread control of a dominant invasive freshwater fish, the Carp (Cyprinus carpio). Carp have a significant negative impact on social, environmental and economic ($500 million per year) outcomes in aspects of water quality, amenity and biodiversity. Carp dominate the Murray–Darling Basin, making up 80-90 per cent of the fish biomass in places. In Australia, the use of a biological control agent, the na ....The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) is presently considering strategies that will effect widespread control of a dominant invasive freshwater fish, the Carp (Cyprinus carpio). Carp have a significant negative impact on social, environmental and economic ($500 million per year) outcomes in aspects of water quality, amenity and biodiversity. Carp dominate the Murray–Darling Basin, making up 80-90 per cent of the fish biomass in places. In Australia, the use of a biological control agent, the naturally occurring carp herpesvirus, could significantly reduce the number of carp in our freshwater systems [1-3]. The NCCP will map out the best approach to manage the required work safely with a key step towards the potential strategic release of carp herpesvirus being community consultation.
One common theme amongst community comments about carp control is “Can we fish them all out through overfishing?” Proponents cite examples of over-exploited commercial fisheries worldwide that have collapsed. This reaction is particularly prevalent amongst the commercial fishing sector of the community [4]. Similar arguments are made against investment in many ‘technologies’ for many vertebrate pest-control strategies; particularly where the pest-animals have a value in an exploitative industry or where effective alternatives are lacking. Other fish-examples include Asian carp species in the Mississippi Basin (Visser 2017), Lionfish in the Caribbean (Downey 2017) and Aripaima or Paiche invading Bolivia (Snyder 2017). Existing studies of the feasibility of Carp control by removal are few in Australia [5, 6] particularly in peer reviewed literature [7]. There is a clear need for peer-reviewed evaluation (including a plain-speech, magazine article version) of the potential for commercial, or subsidised, fishery exploitation to effectively control carp populations in Australia. The proposed research will inform the community consultation process about the potential for deliberate overfishing to complement or to be an effective alternative to virus release.
Objectives: 1. Review literature on control of vertebrate pests through commercial exploitation (with emphasis on pest-fish) 2. Use CarpSim software to explore the limits of critical factors identified in the literature review, with respect to control of Carp in Australia through commercial exploitation 3. Summarise findings of review (1) and modelling (2) in lay persons terms, in a magazine article, to answer questions such as "Can we just fish them all out with commercial fishing?" 4. Prepare and submit a research article based on review (1) and modelling (2) for publication in a peer-reviewed, open-access, scientific journal Read moreRead less
NCCP: Development Of Hydrological, Ecological And Epidemiological Modelling To Inform A CyHV3 Release Strategy For The Biocontrol Of Carp In The Murray Darling Basin
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,057,000.00
Summary
The complexity of developing an optimized "release strategy" requires a modelling approach, as undertaking field trials to develop this strategy is not an option - due to the impossibility of containing the virus to the trial site.
Whilst it might be possible to develop a theoretical model for release, it is much preferable that this be based on the available and relevant data that exists for each catchment.
To achieve this we will develop a series of inter-related hydrol .... The complexity of developing an optimized "release strategy" requires a modelling approach, as undertaking field trials to develop this strategy is not an option - due to the impossibility of containing the virus to the trial site.
Whilst it might be possible to develop a theoretical model for release, it is much preferable that this be based on the available and relevant data that exists for each catchment.
To achieve this we will develop a series of inter-related hydrological, ecological, demographic and epidemiological models, and integrate these using a Big Data approach, where the underlying data is stored in databases and accessed using work-flow tools such as CSIRO's Workspace (https://research.csiro.au/workspace/)
Objectives: 1. Develop a series of inter-related hydrological, ecological and epidemiological models that will enable the development of a strategy to inform the strategic staged release of CyHV-3 so as to deliver maximum impact whilst minimizing the major anticipated adverse ecological consequence, i.e. large scale anoxic river events. 2. Develop Big Data management and visualization systems for delivering the large amount of data that will arise from the modelling exercises in an interactive and informative manner. Read moreRead less
Update Of AQUAVETPLAN Disease Strategy Manual, White Spot Disease
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$20,125.00
Summary
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is seeking expressions of interest for the revision of the following AQUAVETPLAN Disease strategy manual: 1. White Spot Disease
The Australian Aquatic Veterinary Emergency Plan (AQUAVETPLAN) is a series of manuals that outline Australia’s approach to national disease preparedness and propose the technical response and control strategies to be activated in a national aquatic animal disease emergency. To assist potential applicants ....The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is seeking expressions of interest for the revision of the following AQUAVETPLAN Disease strategy manual: 1. White Spot Disease
The Australian Aquatic Veterinary Emergency Plan (AQUAVETPLAN) is a series of manuals that outline Australia’s approach to national disease preparedness and propose the technical response and control strategies to be activated in a national aquatic animal disease emergency. To assist potential applicants in preparing their expression of interest: • Current AQUAVETPLAN manuals, including the current version of the AQUAVETPLAN manuals for White spot disease, is available on the Department’s website at AQUAVETPLAN. • Author guidelines, including the latest template for AQUAVETPLAN manuals, can be provided electronically on request from the Aquatic Pest and Health Policy section (contact details below). Terms of Reference The White spot disease manual was first published in 2005, and the second version was published in 2013. This manual requires revision to reflect new scientific knowledge, and to ensure that strategies used for White Spot disease control purposes reflect current ‘best-practice’ approaches.
Objectives: 1. Revision of the AQUAVETPLAN Disease Strategy Manual: White Spot Disease Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund - Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Determining The Susceptibility Of Australian Species Of Prawns To Infectious Myonecrosis
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,000.00
Summary
Australian prawn production at around 22 kilotonnes is valued in excess of $250 million. Clearly, the prawn fishery is an important natural resource for Australia that is also the basis for a significant export industry. In addition, prawn aquaculture is a significant industry in northern Australia and accounts for around 14% of the total volume of Australian prawn production. Infectious myonecrosis is a viral disease that has caused significant disease outbreaks and mortalities in farmed Penaeu ....Australian prawn production at around 22 kilotonnes is valued in excess of $250 million. Clearly, the prawn fishery is an important natural resource for Australia that is also the basis for a significant export industry. In addition, prawn aquaculture is a significant industry in northern Australia and accounts for around 14% of the total volume of Australian prawn production. Infectious myonecrosis is a viral disease that has caused significant disease outbreaks and mortalities in farmed Penaeus vannamei in Brazil and South-East Asia, including Indonesia. While P. vannamei is considered the principal host, experimental infection of P. stylirostris (Pacific blue shrimp) and P. monodon (black tiger shrimp) has been reported. The susceptibility of other shrimp/prawn species is unknown. Information on the susceptibility of prawn species important to Australia, including banana prawns (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis), brown tiger prawns (P. esculentus) is lacking. This project would provide information on the susceptibility of two important species of Australian prawns to exotic IMNV. Such information is important to policy-makers, regulators and primary producers with respect to relevant biosecurity issues at all levels of government. Objectives: 1. Import infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) of known pathogenicity 2. Determine the susceptibility of banana prawns to IMNV 3. Determine the susceptibility of brown tiger prawns to IMNV Read moreRead less