Seafood CRC: Visiting Expert: Dr Standish Allen - Enhancement Of Tetraploid And Triploid Production In The Australian Pacific Oyster Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$14,200.00
Summary
SCL’s overall goal with regard to tetraploid technology is to make it work as effectively as anywhere in the world. In some ways, SCL is ahead of the game already, with dedicated facilities and technicians to pursue this goal. The objective of this Visiting Expert project is to get SCL fully on this path and to continue the improvement of tetraploid technology in Australia, and by example, the world.
There is currently only a hand full of commercial operations producing natural trip ....SCL’s overall goal with regard to tetraploid technology is to make it work as effectively as anywhere in the world. In some ways, SCL is ahead of the game already, with dedicated facilities and technicians to pursue this goal. The objective of this Visiting Expert project is to get SCL fully on this path and to continue the improvement of tetraploid technology in Australia, and by example, the world.
There is currently only a hand full of commercial operations producing natural triploids and even fewer assessing breeding technologies required to enhance the breeding of tetraploid populations.
At SCL, commercial production of natural triploid oysters in Australia has been successful for a number of years. The regeneration of tetraploids through large mass populations of tetraploids are accomplished each year by SCL research staff. We also have the know-how for the production of both natural mass spawning of tetraploids and chemical induction of tetraploids.
The opportunity exists to enhance our tetraploid lines through the infusion of genetics from the industry owned breeding program (Australian Seafood Industries). This request from industry is based on the following two, and likely very distinct, traits. 1. Specific resistance to OsHV-1 µVar 2. Increase fitness in general oyster populations to combat mortalities in South Australia or Tasmania probably due to the high metabolism of triploids in food poor waters.
Objectives: 1. Evaluating tetraploid spawns, including single pair crosses, mass spawns, and/ or mass selected spawnings, for the development of breeding lines and long term breeding objectives 2. Production of a range of ASI triploids lines for progeny testing, both natural and chemical 3. Assessing the commercial application of producing selectively bred tetraploids utilising a method described by McCombie et al. 2009 4. Expert input to Penny Miller PhD with detail analysis of results to meet project objectives 5. Collaborate with CSIRO in the future enhancement of breeding plans for tetraploid pacific oysters using selectively bred lines from the ASI breeding program 6. Develop a long-term breeding and tetraploid maintenance plan to secure supplies of high quality tetraploids long into the future Read moreRead less
Experimental Production Of Tetraploid Oysters For Use As Broodstock For Commercial Hatchery Production Of Triploids
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$186,362.94
Summary
Objectives: 1. The experimental production of tetraploid (4n) oyster embryos, larvae & Spat 2. On-growing of 4n oyster spat to adulthood and reproductive capability 3. Hybridisation of 2n gametes (from 4n broodstock) with n gametes (form "normal" 2n broodstock) to produce 3n embryos, larvae and spat
SCRC: PhD 6.06 – Capturing And Maintaining Genetic Variation When Initiating Selective Breeding Programs For Aquaculture
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Industry need: The following projects have stated the need for establishing sustainable selective breeding programs; • Development of a genetic management and improvement strategy for temperate marine finfish (2008/723). • Scope and economic analysis of options for a nationally unified breeding program for abalone aquaculture (2008/722). • Development of a genetic management strategy for cultured Barramundi (2008/758).
SCRC: PhD 6.08 Molecular Assessment Of Spawning Cues In Temperate Abalone
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
The spawning of cultured abalone for Australia’s expanding abalone industry is a ‘numbers game’ with hatcheries required to mature and induce more individuals than needed as gamete release is not under full control. While this is acceptable for commercial production the advent of selective breeding programs (SBPs) emerging across the industry means that increased spawning efficiency is crucial to provide for the spawning of highly valuable selected individuals on cue ensuring that the greatest g ....The spawning of cultured abalone for Australia’s expanding abalone industry is a ‘numbers game’ with hatcheries required to mature and induce more individuals than needed as gamete release is not under full control. While this is acceptable for commercial production the advent of selective breeding programs (SBPs) emerging across the industry means that increased spawning efficiency is crucial to provide for the spawning of highly valuable selected individuals on cue ensuring that the greatest genetic gains in production traits are realised. Greater control over spawning is key to ensuring maximum efficiency in the implementation of SBPs and also in producing the highly marketable interspecies hybrid between Haliotis rubra and H. laevigata.
The aim of this project is to unravel the signalling cues that regulate spawning and/or maturation processes in abalone. This will allow on farm interventional strategies to be developed. Peptide hormones are a complex set of messenger molecules controlling a wide diversity of regulatory functions including a multitude of physiological processes and behaviours within an organism. The latest mass spectrometry methods will enable the detection, identification and characterisation of these important signalling molecules. While there is currently a limited genetic resource available for Haliotis species in the absence of a reference genome, molecular genetic approaches will also be utilised alongside the peptide discovery process to address this shortfall in knowledge. By undertaking sampling at variable time points during the gonad conditioning and spawning process it will provide valuable insight into which of the peptides are involved in facilitating spawning cues. This is likely to result in the ability to develop external stimuli and/or methods that will enable spawning of temperate abalone on cue.Read moreRead less
SCRC: PhD 7.06 Development Of Sperm Refrigeration And Cryopreservation Techniques In Greenlip And Blacklip Abalone
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
When the outbreak of abalone viral ganglioneuritus occurred in Victoria in 2006, the abalone farms involved in the selective breeding program had to be destocked, resulting in the loss of their breeding nucleus and more than 7 years’ effort. Had a cryopreservation program been in place to freeze gametes from selected individuals, much of the R&D effort would have been recoverable.
Currently in Australia, a few abalone selective breeding programs have been established or are planning to ....When the outbreak of abalone viral ganglioneuritus occurred in Victoria in 2006, the abalone farms involved in the selective breeding program had to be destocked, resulting in the loss of their breeding nucleus and more than 7 years’ effort. Had a cryopreservation program been in place to freeze gametes from selected individuals, much of the R&D effort would have been recoverable.
Currently in Australia, a few abalone selective breeding programs have been established or are planning to be established on individual farms. However, the development of these programs has been compromised due to difficulties in producing the desired abalone crosses, both in the selective breeding programs and in commercial production. Globally, consistent, predictable and synchronised spawning has not been achieved for farmed abalone.
Abalone are also characterised by their high fecundity, therefore gametes from limited broodstock are enough for commercial production. However, maintenance of genetic diversity is a critical issue for this industry because genetic diversity within a population increases its ability to sustain the population in case of disease outbreaks and environmental changes and in cultured stocks enables control of inbreeding and maximisation of genetic gains.
Gamete cryopreservation is an ideal tool to address the above mentioned issues. In addition, it is also a secure method for the ex situ preservation of genetic diversity and genetically improved materials, thus providing opportunities to reconstruct the original genetic make-up, re-establish the improved nucleus population, and establish genetic linkage among different generations and/or runs. Moreover, transporting cryopreserved gametes is relatively simple, has less chance for disease translocations as gametes are less likely to carry pathogens than whole animals, and enhances the efficiency of disseminating genetic gains to industry (Chao & Liao 2001, Tiersch 2008).Read moreRead less
SCRC: SCRC Honours Scholarship H3.1– Impact Of Commercial Hatchery Practices On The Contribution Of Broodstock To Offspring And Genetic Diversity In The Yellowtail Kingfish Breeding Program (Dr Alex Safari: Student Daniel Tan)
Seafood CRC: Promoting Marine Finfish Aquaculture In NSW
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$99,990.13
Summary
NSW currently imports over 85% of its seafood and needs a substantial increase in investment and production, most notably, major new marine based aquaculture development.(Bond University, 2012). However, marine aquaculture development is fundamentally constrained by the lack of background biological and economic information. To promote marine finfish production, the NSW government has invested significantly in establishing, through the normal application pathway (EIS, REF, public consultation, D ....NSW currently imports over 85% of its seafood and needs a substantial increase in investment and production, most notably, major new marine based aquaculture development.(Bond University, 2012). However, marine aquaculture development is fundamentally constrained by the lack of background biological and economic information. To promote marine finfish production, the NSW government has invested significantly in establishing, through the normal application pathway (EIS, REF, public consultation, DA), a 20 ha Marine Aquaculture Research Lease (MARL) off Port Stephens with approval to produce up to 300 t fish/annum. The MARL is a vehicle to streamline approvals process, foster the social licence required for finfish production expansion in NSW, and to provide the fundamental information needed to encourage investment.
There are three key end users for MARL research: Industry, Public and Regulators. The research proposed on the lease will address short term needs central to the development of fish farming in subtropical waters of the Australian east coast and develop a platform for ongoing research. DPI has begun dialogue with potential commercial partners to operate the MARL. These discussions have established that yellowtail kingfish (YTK) is the primary species of interest (although tuna is a candidate and is specifically approved for the MARL). This interest in YTK is in part is driven by a shortfall of Kingfish and Barramundi from aquaculture in local markets – of the order of 460 t at the Sydney Fish Market alone last financial year.
Industry need: YTK production within Australia has not been without its challenges and further research is essential, particularly when entering new farming environments. Previous CRC research (SFCRC 2008/903) has developed models showing rapid growth for YTK in warmer waters (<18 months to 4.5 kg), but these models need validation. Further, there is a need to investigate health challenges and potential management options in a new offshore environment.
Public need: In gaining approval for the MARL, extensive public consultation was undertaken that identified key concerns with respect to the sustainable operation of the MARL. Traditional concerns over nutrient enrichment arose but were overshadowed by issues related to potential impacts on species of sharks and cetaceans. There is a need to investigate the MARL interaction with these species, and Port Stephens is uniquely well placed for this to occur. Port Stephens has the most intensive cetacean watch industry in the world and is the focus of a juvenile white shark and grey nurse shark monitoring program.
Regulatory need: DPI is funding development of a Marine Waters Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy for NSW (MWSAS), under State Environmental Planning Policy 62 – Sustainable Aquaculture (SEPP62) to streamline investment pathways and promoting sustainable seafood production. A MWSAS will describe the approvals process, best practice system design and operation, and identify areas suitable for future development. MARL research will inform a MWSAS in key areas of sustainability Objectives: 1. To obtain background environmental data for MARL operation 2. To have commenced development of a Marine Waters Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy for NSW 3. To have established the validity of existing growth/nutrition and economic performance models for Yellowtail Kingfish and Mulloway 4. To have determined any health challenges for finfish production and consequent management options in an offshore environment Read moreRead less
Seafood CRC: Scope And Economic Analysis Of Options For A Nationally Unified Breeding Program That Provides Significant Economic Benefit To The Australian Abalone Aquaculture Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$36,363.24
Summary
Due to the divided opinions of members, the AAGA committee believes the best way forward is to commission the CRC to scope and model both the Tasmanian/GSW program(s), and determine the optimal strategy for a centralised mainland program, not to compare them against each other, but rather to provide an economic model of each, recognising infrastructure, running costs, capacity to produce families, etc, that will deliver a breeding strategy for each initiative to allow them to maximise their ge ....Due to the divided opinions of members, the AAGA committee believes the best way forward is to commission the CRC to scope and model both the Tasmanian/GSW program(s), and determine the optimal strategy for a centralised mainland program, not to compare them against each other, but rather to provide an economic model of each, recognising infrastructure, running costs, capacity to produce families, etc, that will deliver a breeding strategy for each initiative to allow them to maximise their genetic gains and economic benefits (benefit to cost ratio). By doing this we will determine how to best meet AAGA’s objectives for the supply of selectively bred stock to the industry. These objectives are: • Capacity to achieve maximum rate of genetic gain for the traits selected • Minimum time until the supply of improved stock can meet the demand by the industry • Capacity to service all industry members (including land-based farms without hatcheries and at-sea farms) • Commercial, financial and practical feasibility in the short (5years) and long term (10-20 years), with significant economic benefit to the industry • Capacity to implement biosecurity measures that will meet state agencies’ legislative requirements for translocation and result in sustainability of the program (ie. not affected by disease issues) • Capacity for all abalone breeding initiatives to work collaboratively and value-add to each other Objectives: 1. To model the Tasmanian/GSW program(s) and alternative mainland strategies, and determine the optimal strategy for a unified, centrally coordinated program. The aim would not be to compare breeding programs against each other, but rather to provide an economic model of each, recognising infrastructure, running costs, capacity to produce families, commercial viability, co-investment with partners across sectors, etc, that will deliver a breeding strategy (breeding design and objectives) for each initiative to allow them to maximise their genetic gains and economic benefits (benefit to cost ratio). 2. To identify the areas of collaboration for adding value to each program and the standardisation of procedures needed to ensure collaboration is achievable. 3. To identify key researchable constraints to the implementation of the breeding programs, prioritise the research objectives and identify funding options. 4. The cooperative breeding program that develops should aim to achieve the objectives of AAGA, as listed in the Needs section. Read moreRead less
Seafood CRC: Development Of Barramundi Selective Breeding Entity II
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$92,906.43
Summary
The proposed project aims to significantly fast track an important stakeholder processes initiated by the Seafood CRC scoping study. This study identified a way forward for a nationally unified centralised breeding initiative that delivers selectively bred stock to the majority of the barramundi farming industry. The industry stakeholders are keen to maintain the momentum resulting from the CRC study and seek funds to further develop and ratify the business model proposed in the study. They are ....The proposed project aims to significantly fast track an important stakeholder processes initiated by the Seafood CRC scoping study. This study identified a way forward for a nationally unified centralised breeding initiative that delivers selectively bred stock to the majority of the barramundi farming industry. The industry stakeholders are keen to maintain the momentum resulting from the CRC study and seek funds to further develop and ratify the business model proposed in the study. They are also keen to trial mass spawning as a possible option for generating the families needed by the program. With a formalised and fully costed business proposal, and proof-of-concept demonstration, the stakeholders can pursue investment opportunities, including stakeholder investment. Without this funding moving forward, these key steps towards a viable breeding facility will be slowed and thus adoption and benefits of the initiative will be significantly delayed. Objectives: 1. To develop a funded business entity that will run the BBP 2. To characterise broodstock available to the BBP and identify foundation stock 3. To run a pilot scale trial of synchronized spawning to check/demonstrate feasibility of its use with the BBP 4. To seek notional approval from Government agencies for the translocation of animals needed to establish the BBP and to supply farms Read moreRead less
High Quality Eggs And Nauplii For The Australian Prawn Industry.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$516,346.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To determine the physiological requirements for successful & high quality egg production: Vitellogenesis and its physiological control. 2. To identify & chronicle the substances which are accumulated during egg development and their importance in egg viability and larvae survival: Egg quality and packaging. 3. Identify & chronicle differences in substances between wild caught spawners and pond reared spawners. 4. Compare egg quality between wild a ....Objectives: 1. To determine the physiological requirements for successful & high quality egg production: Vitellogenesis and its physiological control. 2. To identify & chronicle the substances which are accumulated during egg development and their importance in egg viability and larvae survival: Egg quality and packaging. 3. Identify & chronicle differences in substances between wild caught spawners and pond reared spawners. 4. Compare egg quality between wild and captive-reared broodstock. 5. Demonstrate value of supplementing broodstock diets with optimal concentrations of carotenoids. 6. Demonstrate value of supplementing broodstock diet with ecdysone. Read moreRead less