Objectives: 1. Study effects of diving habits on actual & possible diving related disease; incidence, hearing loss, bone disease, neurological disorders & respiratory damage in abalone divers in NSW, SA, WA, Vic & Tas. 2. Give educational seminars on diver safety & health
A Biochemical, Pathological And Behavioural Study To Assess The Protective Effects Of Selenium And Vitamin E Against Mercury
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Examine the premise that the natural accumulation of methyl mercury in association with selenium and/or vitamin E in fish reduces or abolishes the potential toxicity of methyl mercury in food for mammals
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Production Of An AQUAVETPLAN Disease Strategy Manual For White Spot Disease Of All WSV-susceptible Crustaceans
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$39,600.00
Summary
Few major disease incidents have occurred in Australian aquaculture and fisheries, and as a result, State/Territory departments and industries have relatively little experience in incident management for emergency diseases.
The recent white spot virus incident and subsequent survey has highlighted the need to have strategies in place to enable a swift and effective response to a suspect emergency disease incursion to rapidly contain an infectious disease agent.
Effective respon ....Few major disease incidents have occurred in Australian aquaculture and fisheries, and as a result, State/Territory departments and industries have relatively little experience in incident management for emergency diseases.
The recent white spot virus incident and subsequent survey has highlighted the need to have strategies in place to enable a swift and effective response to a suspect emergency disease incursion to rapidly contain an infectious disease agent.
Effective responses to emergency disease outbreaks require emergency disease planning at national, state/territory, district and industry/farm level and the involvement of animal health and fisheries authorities, emergency management organisations and the private sector. For the terrestrial animal sector, the basis for this planning is contained in the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan, AUSVETPLAN, which is a series of technical response plans that describe the proposed Australian approach to an emergency disease incursion. The documents provide guidance based on sound analysis, linking policy, strategies, implementation, coordination and emergency-management plans.
Based on AUSVETPLAN model, the AQUAVETPLAN is currently being developed as a series of manuals and operational instruments which outline methods and protocols to manage emergency disease outbreaks in aquatic animals in Australia. Some manuals have been published (AQUAVETPLAN Enterprise Manuals; AQUAVETPLAN Furunculosis Disease Strategy; Australian Aquatic Animal Disease Field Identification Guide), and others are at various stages of endorsement (AQUAVETPLAN Control Centre Manual; AQUAVETPLAN Disposal and Destruction Manuals). Following a detailed process of government and industry consultation, the development of a Disease Strategy Manual for White Spot Disease has recently been identified as a key need to improve Australia’s preparedness in the event of emergency disease incursions.
Objectives: 1. The objective of this work is to complete a Disease Strategy Manual for White Spot in accordance with the terms of reference provided by the FRDC Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram. The structure and content of the manual will be of similar structure and degree of detail to that of the Furunculosis Manual developed previously. Read moreRead less
Rapid Technology For The Detection Of Food Poisoning Organisms In Commercial Shellfish
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. To develop relevant screening tests using modern molecular biology techniques, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to detect common pathogens transmitted by commercial oysters and other shellfish. The screen would include: E.coli, Vibrio vulniffcus, Reoviruses and Adenovirus 2. Develop molecular biology techniques for the detection of specific viral pathogens which occur rarely or seasonally in commercial shellfish i.e. Hepatitis A virus, enteroviruses, rotavir ....Objectives: 1. To develop relevant screening tests using modern molecular biology techniques, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to detect common pathogens transmitted by commercial oysters and other shellfish. The screen would include: E.coli, Vibrio vulniffcus, Reoviruses and Adenovirus 2. Develop molecular biology techniques for the detection of specific viral pathogens which occur rarely or seasonally in commercial shellfish i.e. Hepatitis A virus, enteroviruses, rotavirus and Nrowalk viruses 3. Develop molecular biology techniques to detect new Australian Norwalk viurses i.e. determine their genetic sequence and other physiochemical characteristics 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
Abalone Aquaculture Subprogram: A National Survey Of Diseases Of Commercially Exploited Abalone Species To Support Trade And Translocation Issues And The Development Of Health Surveillance Programs
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$214,113.00
Summary
Abalone Growers Associations in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia have given their support for the establishment of health monitoring programs of their farm’s stock, and are willing to contribute financially for establishing these and for ongoing monitoring. They see such programs as putting them in a unique position to to enable them to prevent disease in their stock and of meeting future market expectations in relation to health accreditation. This process is threatened by inadequate da ....Abalone Growers Associations in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia have given their support for the establishment of health monitoring programs of their farm’s stock, and are willing to contribute financially for establishing these and for ongoing monitoring. They see such programs as putting them in a unique position to to enable them to prevent disease in their stock and of meeting future market expectations in relation to health accreditation. This process is threatened by inadequate data on diseases in wild stock, and in some states by limited experience in abalone diagnosis.
Similarly the wild harvest abalone industry recognises vulnerability from a lack of knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of diseases in Australian wild stocks, in a climate where interstate translocation and trade access and quality issues are increasing. They also seek assurances on the health of farmed stock and of stock used for reseeding operations. As a result, the wild abalone sector and fisheries and animal health authorities in these states also strongly support a baseline survey of diseases present in the exploited abalone species, and development of improved surveillance capability.
The project is to acquire this background data on abalone disease, by a health survey covering the natural range of the exploited temperate abalone species. It includes the abalone aquaculture industry and the wild fishery in SA, Victoria, Tasmania, NSW and WA. The project will incorporate associated initial training, permanent presentation on collated results in accessible electronic format (CD and the subprogram’s website), and an abalone disease symposium to develop a net-work of state-based resources for on-going diagnosis, health certification and other shellfish health related functions at reasonable cost to the industry.
Development of the on-going state-based surveillance programs for aquaculture will progress in conjunction with this (without cost to the project), and with consultation with wild fisheries industries and managers, who will also benefit from improved capability for diagnostic and surveillance services. Objectives: 1. To undertake, over approximately one year, a single-round health survey of abalone from representative wild groups of commercial abalone species throughout their range in 5 states, using statistically relevant samples appropriate to maximize the chances of detection of serious diseases and define the disease agents present. 2. To similarly examine equivalent samples from all abalone farms and reseeding operations in these states. 3. From these to develop a database of abalone disease, their location and apparent prevalence (with confidence limits), then to present these findings to the wild and aquaculture industries and State and National government agencies, and to record them pictorially in accessible electronic format. 4. To expand the pool of abalone health expertise by holding an initial training workshop for collaborating pathologists to facilitate the survey, and a national abalone health meeting to present disease and pathology findings to all relevant pathologists and health service providers, to ensure their adoption. 5. Ensure the resulting information and skills are fully utilized by assisting in the development of cost-effective on-going health surveillance programs through collaboration with the abalone aquaculture industry and state authorities. Read moreRead less
White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) Preparedness For Biosecurity Awareness And Adoption Of Best Practice By The NSW And QLD Wild Catch Commercial Fishers - Understanding What Extension Pathways Work Best
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$84,000.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Develop appropriate extension material to reduce the risk of spread of WSSV from the control zone to the non control zones in QLD and NSW. 2. To quantify best extension practice for biosecurity for the commercial wild catch fishers. 3. To, where possible, utilise existing extension material developed by Biosecurity Queensland for the commercial wild catch fishery.
Field Observations And Assessment Of The Response To An Outbreak Of White Spot Disease (WSD) In Black Tiger Prawns (Penaeus Monodon) Farmed On The Logan River In November 2016
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$52,663.15
Summary
Objectives: 1. Undertake assessment on the causative factors for the outbreak of WSD in the prawn farms in the Logan River region 2. Provide technical advice to APFA, QSIA, ACPF, Sunfish, ARFF and FRDC on the technical information arising from the eradication program for WSD 3. Undertake research and sampling for later assessment on how to improve the management of WSD and its erradication
The Prevention Of Occupationally-related Infections In Western Rock Lobster Fishermen
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$158,901.00
Summary
The incidence and severity of infection associated with WRL does not appear to have changed vastly since 1949, despite penicillin therapy and a heightened awareness of the infection by those in the industry. Infection may result in loss of working days. Severe cases may progess to more serious conditions such as septic arthritis and endocarditis, potentially life-threatening conditions. The inappropriate and unnecessary use of antibiotics is of great concern currently as antibiotic resistant ba ....The incidence and severity of infection associated with WRL does not appear to have changed vastly since 1949, despite penicillin therapy and a heightened awareness of the infection by those in the industry. Infection may result in loss of working days. Severe cases may progess to more serious conditions such as septic arthritis and endocarditis, potentially life-threatening conditions. The inappropriate and unnecessary use of antibiotics is of great concern currently as antibiotic resistant bacteria emerge world-wide. The emphasis is now on preventing infection rather than treating it with antibiotics when it does occur. More advanced techniques for the recovery and detection of E. rhusiopathiae have been developed, including the use of selective media and a molecular method. Further study of these infections, utilising more appropriate techniques, is warranted to determine the exact role that E. rhusiopathiae has in this infection. Also, the role of other organisms causing apparent infection in fishermen of all types needs to be evaluated. This will allow preventive strategies to be developed which will, in turn, result in less infection and reduced exposure to antibiotics. Objectives: 1. To determine the role that E.rhusiopathiae plays in "crayfish poisoning". 2. To determine the distribution of E.rhusiopathiae in the work environment 3. To develop interventions and strategies to reduce the incidence of "crayfish poisoning" Read moreRead less