Development Of Techniques For Quantification Of Stress-induced Catecholamine Changes In The Hemolymph Of The Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea Gigas)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$25,330.00
Summary
One of the major problems facing the Pacific oyster industry throughout southern Australia is minimizing the impacts to the animals resulting from general farming activities such as grading and transportation and the processing before oysters are sold at the market. A few factors have been suggested to be associated with the impacts. However, these predisposing factors for the loss of stocks can not be distinguished simply because the methods, which can be used to measure the physical changes of ....One of the major problems facing the Pacific oyster industry throughout southern Australia is minimizing the impacts to the animals resulting from general farming activities such as grading and transportation and the processing before oysters are sold at the market. A few factors have been suggested to be associated with the impacts. However, these predisposing factors for the loss of stocks can not be distinguished simply because the methods, which can be used to measure the physical changes of the stressed animals, have not been available.
If the method developed by Locoste et al (2001) for determining the haemolymph catecholamine levels in oysters can be confirmed as suitable for use in the South Australian environment using the facilities at SARDI, the suspected predisposing factors – temperature, grading, transportation, disease infection, the combinations of these factors, etc, for the stock losses in Australia, can then be identified. The performance of the oysters can then be improved by adopting the best techniques and equipment currently used by the farms and processors or by developing new farming technologies which take into account the physiological requirements of the animals. The methods and equipment currently used by oyster farms and processors have been developed mainly because of their convenience to the farmers, cost effectiveness and the ecological requirement of the animals, not because they optimise the quantity of the product.
Another limitation to the oyster industry at present is a lack of stock which have been genetically selected to produce stress-resistant characteristics. This is simply because the selection criteria can not be determined. Therefore, the project could also provide opportunities for such breeding objectives to be included in the current selective breeding program. Objectives: 1. Evaluate, modify and optimise the published methodologies to quantify oyster haemolymph catecholamine levels in the South Australian environment using the equipment available at SARDI. 2. Establish a standard protocol for oyster blood sample collection, preservation and transportation, which will minimise the time effect on the accuracy of the proposed analysis, so that the technologies are useful across the remote oyster farming areas in South Australia. Read moreRead less
Mitigation Measures To Reduce Entanglements Of Migrating Whales With Commercial Fishing Gear
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$499,999.00
Summary
Whale entanglements in the western rock lobster (WRL) fishery have increased dramatically with changes in fishing times from a move to a quota. The recent commonwealth Department for the Environment (DE) assessment removed the fishery from five-year export approval, granting a two-year Wildlife Trade Order (WTO) with conditions on whale entanglements. Subsequent correspondence from the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and DE requested information from industry as to what actions will undertaken for ....Whale entanglements in the western rock lobster (WRL) fishery have increased dramatically with changes in fishing times from a move to a quota. The recent commonwealth Department for the Environment (DE) assessment removed the fishery from five-year export approval, granting a two-year Wildlife Trade Order (WTO) with conditions on whale entanglements. Subsequent correspondence from the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and DE requested information from industry as to what actions will undertaken for the 2014 and 2013 humpback migrations respectively. DoF correspondence indicated a seasonal closure may be implemented ‘in the absence of specific alternative action(s)’. A closure during the humpback migration (1 May-30 Nov) would concentrate fishing into the remaining 5 months resulting in a reduced beach price. Winter beach prices are ~$70/kg, with a move from this high value period into a condensed season reducing GVP by ~$50 million. TRF project (2013-037) addresses the immediate aspects of the WTO conditions, required by 31 March 2014. Industry groups, while cognizant of the need to address the issue of whale entanglements are reluctant to proceed with the introduction of gear modifications without a clear scientific rationale behind their testing. Project 2013-037 is a preliminary study and with its initiations after the 2013 humpback migration has begun, detailed gear testing and migration information was not possible. However it is planned to identify a number of viable mitigation options that are worthy of detailed evaluation in 2014. This project extends on Project 2013-037 addresses the longer term (2014-2015) DE conditions, which would enable year-round market access.
Objectives: 1. Determine and implement appropriate gear modifications and management changes to reduce entanglements with migrating humpback whales 2. Produce fine-spatial and temporal information on whale migrations along the west coast of Western Australia necessary for a tailored spatio-temporal closures and/or areas for gear modifications. 3. Provide clear scientific methods behind the testing of selected gear modifications to reduce whale entanglements 4. Incorporate any new practices that may reduce entanglements with migrating whales in the CoP for the fishery and ensure its extension and adoption Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. Better understand the oceans off north-western Australia by measuring currents and sea surface temperatures with satellite tracked drifters. 2. Disseminate this information to the industry.
The impact and cost of short-term health staffing in remote communities. This project aims to examine the impact of the increasing levels of short-term health staffing in remote communities upon service acceptability to patients, workload and attitudes of long-term resident primary health care staff, and the effectiveness and cost of health services. There is a dearth of information about this 'fly in/fly out' (FIFO) workforce in remote communities, which have the worst health outcomes in the co ....The impact and cost of short-term health staffing in remote communities. This project aims to examine the impact of the increasing levels of short-term health staffing in remote communities upon service acceptability to patients, workload and attitudes of long-term resident primary health care staff, and the effectiveness and cost of health services. There is a dearth of information about this 'fly in/fly out' (FIFO) workforce in remote communities, which have the worst health outcomes in the country. The project aims to inform consumers, health practitioners, health service planners and policy-makers about the impact of FIFO, as well as to contribute to the development of strategies designed to stabilise the remote health workforce.Read moreRead less
Staffing practices in Aboriginal primary health care services. This project aims to generate new knowledge about the impact of short-term staffing in remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services on service acceptability to patients, workload and attitudes of long-term staff and the effectiveness and cost of services. The project intends to compare these results to recent findings about the impact of short-term staffing in government-run clinics, in order to quantify and describe the po ....Staffing practices in Aboriginal primary health care services. This project aims to generate new knowledge about the impact of short-term staffing in remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services on service acceptability to patients, workload and attitudes of long-term staff and the effectiveness and cost of services. The project intends to compare these results to recent findings about the impact of short-term staffing in government-run clinics, in order to quantify and describe the potential positive effect of community control. Expected outcomes include rigorous evidence about the 'fly in/fly out' workforce and the impact of community control which can inform new policy that will stabilise the remote health workforce, save money and contribute to 'closing the gap' in health outcomes.Read moreRead less
Assessing Infrastructure And Contextual Factors In Relation To Cardiometabolic Outcomes In Remote Indigenous Communities: Evidence For Policy Change
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,113,005.00
Summary
Cardiometabolic diseases account for the major burden of morbidity and mortality for Indigenous populations. This study with 75 remote Indigenous communities will be the first to evaluate features of their social, built and physical environments in relation to cardiometabolic risks and diseases. Policy-relevant results will identify features of environments to be targeted to reduce chronic diseases for Indigenous peoples in remote communities.
BCA - Development, Application And Evaluation Of The Use Of Remotely Sensed Data By Australian Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$5,445.45
Summary
Objectives: 1. To develop computational procedures for the validation, analysis and interpretation of ocean colour data, and to provide derived data sets as input to the analysis of selected fisheries 2. To determine in conjunction with key industry operators of the east Australian tuna fisheries the utility of SeaWIFS and satellite temperature data in improving the catch and efficiency for yellowfin and skipjack tuna, and to determine the economic benefit-cost of the use of satellite ....Objectives: 1. To develop computational procedures for the validation, analysis and interpretation of ocean colour data, and to provide derived data sets as input to the analysis of selected fisheries 2. To determine in conjunction with key industry operators of the east Australian tuna fisheries the utility of SeaWIFS and satellite temperature data in improving the catch and efficiency for yellowfin and skipjack tuna, and to determine the economic benefit-cost of the use of satellite imagery in the operational fishery Read moreRead less
Development, Application And Evaluation Of The Use Of Remotely Sensed Data By Australian Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$680,942.56
Summary
Objectives: 1. To develop computational procedures for the validation, analysis and interpretation of ocean colour data, and to provide derived data sets as input to the analysis of selected fisheries 2. To determine in conjunction with key industry operators of the east Australian tuna fisheries the utility of SeaWIFS and satellite temperature data in improving the catch and efficiency for yellowfin and skipjack tuna, and to determine the economic benefit-cost of the use of satellite ....Objectives: 1. To develop computational procedures for the validation, analysis and interpretation of ocean colour data, and to provide derived data sets as input to the analysis of selected fisheries 2. To determine in conjunction with key industry operators of the east Australian tuna fisheries the utility of SeaWIFS and satellite temperature data in improving the catch and efficiency for yellowfin and skipjack tuna, and to determine the economic benefit-cost of the use of satellite imagery in the operational fishery Read moreRead less
CARDIAC-ARIA : Measuring the accessibility to cardiovascular services in rural and remote Australia via applied geographical spatial technology (GIS). Despite significant improvements in the cardiovascular health of Australians, Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) continues to impose a heavy burden on Australians in terms of cost,disability and death. Recent evidence suggests that mortality from CVD increases with increasing remoteness. Rates are reported to be between 20% and 50% higher in rural areas ....CARDIAC-ARIA : Measuring the accessibility to cardiovascular services in rural and remote Australia via applied geographical spatial technology (GIS). Despite significant improvements in the cardiovascular health of Australians, Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) continues to impose a heavy burden on Australians in terms of cost,disability and death. Recent evidence suggests that mortality from CVD increases with increasing remoteness. Rates are reported to be between 20% and 50% higher in rural areas compared to major cities. This project, with its extensive use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, will rank 11,338 rural and remote population centres to identify geographical 'hotspots' where there is likely to be a mismatch between the demand for and actual provision of cardiovascular services.Read moreRead less