Design and Development of DNA Oligonucleotide Microarrays (Biochips) for Fish Species Identification From Processed Food Products. Australia's seafood industry (valued at A$2 billion/annum) imports and exports a wide variety of fish and shellfish products. This industry is open to exploitation, specifically in respect of product labelling. A rapid and reliable method for identifying commercial and endangered fish species in seafood products is urgently needed for effective management and regulat ....Design and Development of DNA Oligonucleotide Microarrays (Biochips) for Fish Species Identification From Processed Food Products. Australia's seafood industry (valued at A$2 billion/annum) imports and exports a wide variety of fish and shellfish products. This industry is open to exploitation, specifically in respect of product labelling. A rapid and reliable method for identifying commercial and endangered fish species in seafood products is urgently needed for effective management and regulation of the industry. New genetic biochip technology enables any species or strains of an organism to be rapidly, and accurately, identified by non-experts. In collaboration with GeneScan Australia, this project applies this new technology to develop a diagnostic tool for checking the labelling of Australian seafood products.Read moreRead less
Natriuretic peptide hormones and the stress response of fish. There are two main benefits of our research to Australia. Firstly, the team that we have assembled have international reputations, and include scientists from overseas. This team will be led by Australian Institutions and will put Australian science in the forefront of a competitive field, internationally. Secondly, our research examines questions that are critical in our understanding of how animals respond to stressful events. T ....Natriuretic peptide hormones and the stress response of fish. There are two main benefits of our research to Australia. Firstly, the team that we have assembled have international reputations, and include scientists from overseas. This team will be led by Australian Institutions and will put Australian science in the forefront of a competitive field, internationally. Secondly, our research examines questions that are critical in our understanding of how animals respond to stressful events. The response to stress, if excessive, leads to ill-health in both humans and other animals. Our research examines new connections between stress and fish biology, which could lead to discoveries that are valuable in managing stress and health in wild and farmed fishes.Read moreRead less
Capture stress and post-capture survival of sharks and other chondrichthyans in fisheries bycatch. Australia is adopting ecosystem approaches to fisheries management. However, to embrace such an approach there is an urgent need for better information on the biology, ecology and population dynamics of sharks, rays and chimaeras (class Chondrichthyes). Chondrichthyan species are among the most sensitive in their response to the effects of fishing. Results from the present proposal will contribute ....Capture stress and post-capture survival of sharks and other chondrichthyans in fisheries bycatch. Australia is adopting ecosystem approaches to fisheries management. However, to embrace such an approach there is an urgent need for better information on the biology, ecology and population dynamics of sharks, rays and chimaeras (class Chondrichthyes). Chondrichthyan species are among the most sensitive in their response to the effects of fishing. Results from the present proposal will contribute to determining mortality of chondrichthyan bycatch species in response to the effects of capture in fishing gear, handling by fishers and discarding at sea. The work will contribute to biodiversity conservation and maintenance of ecosystem structure and function for present and future generations.Read moreRead less