Selective Breeding Of Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea Gigas) - Does Mantle Colour Have A Simple Genetic Basis?
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Determine whether the mantle colour has a simple genetic basis. 2. Determine whether industry can produce oysters of preferred colour by selection of brood stock in the hatchery. 3. Gather comprehensive baseline data on shell shape, volume & meat content
New Approaches to the Control of Post-Weaning Diarrhoea in Piglets. In Australia, post?weaning diarrhoea (PWD) in piglets is a major constraint to efficient and profitable production. Increasing levels of resistance to dietary antibiotics by gut pathogens such as Escherichia coli, the bacterium implicated in PWD, is a major reason for this problem. This research will identify nutritional means of controlling PWD and increasing production after weaning. This will be achieved by strategic nutritio ....New Approaches to the Control of Post-Weaning Diarrhoea in Piglets. In Australia, post?weaning diarrhoea (PWD) in piglets is a major constraint to efficient and profitable production. Increasing levels of resistance to dietary antibiotics by gut pathogens such as Escherichia coli, the bacterium implicated in PWD, is a major reason for this problem. This research will identify nutritional means of controlling PWD and increasing production after weaning. This will be achieved by strategic nutritional interventions in the pre-weaning and (or) post-weaning periods targeted at reducing bacterial pathogens in the gut. A reduction in PWD will increase the overall efficiency of pig production in Australia and reduce antibiotic use.Read moreRead less
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
ASBTIA: Investigation Of Causes Of Mortalities In Farmed SBT – Variation To Project 2008/228
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$71,278.00
Summary
The SBT industry in Australia is limited by catch quota. Increased competitiveness and product quality through production efficiency are the main ways to improve the value of the industry. Improved performance can be achieved through reduction of mortalities and optimising production. These issues will also be crucial for longer term holding, when the initial size of tuna will be smaller and the fish will be farmed for a longer time, increasing health risks to the tuna. Since 2002 there h ....The SBT industry in Australia is limited by catch quota. Increased competitiveness and product quality through production efficiency are the main ways to improve the value of the industry. Improved performance can be achieved through reduction of mortalities and optimising production. These issues will also be crucial for longer term holding, when the initial size of tuna will be smaller and the fish will be farmed for a longer time, increasing health risks to the tuna. Since 2002 there has been a significant fall in revenue (prices down over 50% and strengthening of the Australian dollar). The worsening financial parameters, combined with the intrinsic high ‘value’ of each fish, have placed a greater focus on all aspects of the industry and particularly stress impacts limiting production. Mortality is an obvious area and the current, increased level is not acceptable. While FRDC project 2008/228 will investigate SBT parasites and their impact on farmed SBT, it will not include a broad approach to investigation of causes of SBT mortalities. There is an urgent need for the identification of the causes of SBT mortalities. Objectives: 1. 1. To investigate causes of mortalities of farmed SBT in 2009, in particular 6-12 weeks mortalities 2. 2. To suggest preventative measures and/or further research to reduce mortalities in the future Read moreRead less
Seafood CRC: Education And Training Exchange Program With NOFIMA, A World Leading Aquaculture Research Institute
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$5,000.00
Summary
Individuals/organisations that would benefit from the program with Nofima are those that are:
1. considering starting selective breeding programs or supplying industry with hatchery stock (as many as 10 industry associations or groups of farms)
2. analysing data and making decisions about the selection and mating of selectively bred stock (as many as 10 genetics service providers, private or public)
3. involved with the day-to-day operation of a nucleus or hatchery (in ....Individuals/organisations that would benefit from the program with Nofima are those that are:
1. considering starting selective breeding programs or supplying industry with hatchery stock (as many as 10 industry associations or groups of farms)
2. analysing data and making decisions about the selection and mating of selectively bred stock (as many as 10 genetics service providers, private or public)
3. involved with the day-to-day operation of a nucleus or hatchery (includes many hatchery managers)
4. trying to run a profitable selective breeding or hatchery business (eg. managers or owners of companies such as Australian Seafood Industries PL for Pacific Oyster or Saltas PL for Atlantic Salmon)
Individuals/organisations in these interest groups have overlapping needs to some degree:
A. Need for owners, managers, geneticists and hatchery staff in Australia to be put in touch (network) with those having similar responsibilities in other sectors within Australia, as well as with international players in the selective breeding scene, so that they can benefit from the experience of existing research organisations and businesses.
B. Australia's reputation, isolation and environment could make it an attractive source of selectively bred stock internationally. Therefore there is an opportunity for some breeding programs to supply overseas producers with genetically improved stock. But there is a need to understand how such a business might operate and how risks can be managed.
C. Need for those analysing data and making decisions about the selection and mating of selectively bred stock, and involved with the day-to-day operation of a nucleus or hatchery, to be informed of the latest technical developments overseas and how developments might be adopted to benefit Australian breeding companies and aquaculture industries.
D. Need for improving basic knowledge about establishing, running and profiting from selective breeding. Objectives: 1. To give owners, managers, geneticists and hatchery staff involved with selective breeding programs in Australia short-term exposure to facilitate the establishment of dialogue, cooperation and/or collaboration with international players on the selective breeding scene 2. To directly educate and inform scientists making decisions about selection and mating (at least one person for each aquaculture industry participating in the Seafood CRC) and those involved with the day-to-day operation of the nucleus or hatchery about the latest technical developments overseas and how these might be adapted within Australia 3. To improve basic knowledge about establishing, running and profiting from selective breeding leading to implementation of significant and recognisable improvements in breeding programs towards world’s best practice (on average at least one improvement per sector) Read moreRead less
APFA IPA: RNAi Treatment Of Broodstock To Reduce Disease Impacts In Farmed Prawns
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
With the exception for one farm, the Australian prawn farming industry remains reliant on the use of wild broodstock in hatcheries to generate seed to stock farm ponds,. Due partly to problems with GAV often occurring at high prevalence in North Queensland (NQ) (eg. Etty Bay, Bingil Bay, Bramston Beach, Yorkeys Knob), GAV-free broodstock have increasingly been sought from more remote locations in the Northern Territory (NT) (eg. Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and Melville/Tiwi Island) (Cowley et al. 2016 ....With the exception for one farm, the Australian prawn farming industry remains reliant on the use of wild broodstock in hatcheries to generate seed to stock farm ponds,. Due partly to problems with GAV often occurring at high prevalence in North Queensland (NQ) (eg. Etty Bay, Bingil Bay, Bramston Beach, Yorkeys Knob), GAV-free broodstock have increasingly been sought from more remote locations in the Northern Territory (NT) (eg. Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and Melville/Tiwi Island) (Cowley et al. 2016).
Broodstock pairs (male + female) typically cost ~$160 when sourced locally from NQ and ~$600 when sourced from NT. Hatcheries use in the order of 3,000 wild-caught broodstock pairs annually. Thus due to (i) the substantially higher costs of broodstock sourced from remote regions in NT, (ii) the detection of a GAV variant designated Yellow head virus genotype 7 (YHV7) amongst NT stock (Cowley et al. 2016) with commercially relevant pathogenic potential (CSIRO Unpublished data) and (iii) difficulties in supply continuity and transport stress, the use of a hatchery-based RNAi strategy to reduce or clear GAV infection from local NQ broodstock with potential to abrogate or curtail the vertical transmission of GAV to progeny would significantly benefit industry.
Proof-of-concept obtained in this project that RNAi can be up-scaled from experimental to hatchery-scale systems, and that progeny with markedly reduced GAV infection loads can be generated from carrier broodstock injected with dsRNA, will provide industry with the confidence needed to apply the technology commercially once an APVMA permit has been issued for its use.
Objectives: 1. Knowledge of the ability of antivirals to abrogate vertical transmission of GAV from parents to progeny. 2. Knowledge of the heightened growth, survival and health performance of progeny from parents that received the antiviral compared progeny from parents that did not receive the antiviral, when reared under commercially comparable pond conditions. Read moreRead less
1. Pilot trials under laboratory conditions have shown that blue swimmer crabs can be successfully cultured from egg to saleable product. Investigation and refinement of husbandry techniques are required, under conditions of commercial scale production, to remove uncertainty impeding development of an industry.
2. Research undertaken to date lays the foundation for the development of a successful new industry. The expansion of the industry requires the development of a sound scientif ....1. Pilot trials under laboratory conditions have shown that blue swimmer crabs can be successfully cultured from egg to saleable product. Investigation and refinement of husbandry techniques are required, under conditions of commercial scale production, to remove uncertainty impeding development of an industry.
2. Research undertaken to date lays the foundation for the development of a successful new industry. The expansion of the industry requires the development of a sound scientific basis to husbandry techniques and ongoing research support. The key impediments identified are in the areas of nutrition, health and temperature/stocking rate interaction. Objectives: 1. To define profit maximising husbandry strategies for aquaculture of blue swimmer crabs under commercial conditions. 2. To define feeding strategies for optimum growth and survival of blue swimmer crabs under aquaculture conditions. 3. To determine health impacts on blue swimmer crabs under intensive holding conditions of stocking density, water temperature and feeding strategies. Read moreRead less
Aquaculture Nutrition Subprogram: Strategic Planning, Project Management And Adoption
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$212,860.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To identify R & D priorities for reducing the real cost of aquaculture diets and feeding and increasing the use of Australian agricultural ingredients in aquaculture diets. 2. Establish what the fundamental non species specific nutritional constraints are to aquaculture production (eg diet form, nutritional requirements, feeding strategies, feed evolution or a combination of several factors) and then establish and manage a collaborative core research program to addre ....Objectives: 1. To identify R & D priorities for reducing the real cost of aquaculture diets and feeding and increasing the use of Australian agricultural ingredients in aquaculture diets. 2. Establish what the fundamental non species specific nutritional constraints are to aquaculture production (eg diet form, nutritional requirements, feeding strategies, feed evolution or a combination of several factors) and then establish and manage a collaborative core research program to address this. 3. Develop a risk management strategy for all aquaculture industries in relation to nutrition to assist the research priority setting process. 4. Forge an agreement between the FRDC an other relevant RDC's and research providers for the management of research relating to aquaculture nutrition under the auspices of an aquaculture nutrition subprogram accounting for variations in priorities between agencies. 5. Define and facilitate a mechanism for lead agencies for the commercialisation of all relevant nutrition research arising from FRDC funded projects. 6. Provide a single point of contact for aquaculture nutrition research in Australia and improve the aquaculture nutrition skills base in Australia. 7. Facilitate the functions of an aquaculture nutrition "Expert Working Group" to ensure ongoing research programs have a high degree of industry relevance and focus. 8. Improve communication of nutrition research outcomes and current nutrition research between scientists, aquaculturists, ingredient suppliers and feed manufacturers. Read moreRead less
Towards Reliable Hatchery-produced Quality Blue Mussels: An Integrated Approach To Optimising Supply
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$287,876.00
Summary
Tasmania in 2005/06 was the largest producer of mussels in Australia; 31% of production and 42% of dollar value. This represents a three-fold increase in production and value of mussels in Tasmania over the past three years. Further to this, Spring Bay Seafoods is Australia largest mussel producer and processor; with consider capital investment into mussel production and processing. This project will directly address the issues of high and unpredictable mortality rates of blue mussel seed dur ....Tasmania in 2005/06 was the largest producer of mussels in Australia; 31% of production and 42% of dollar value. This represents a three-fold increase in production and value of mussels in Tasmania over the past three years. Further to this, Spring Bay Seafoods is Australia largest mussel producer and processor; with consider capital investment into mussel production and processing. This project will directly address the issues of high and unpredictable mortality rates of blue mussel seed during the early nursery phase. There is a need in the hatcheries to develop techniques and approaches that maximise production of quality mussel seed, through informed decisions about how physical and biological conditions in the hatchery affect the health and growth of spat.
World-wide, mussel aquaculture ventures are largely supported by collection of wild juveniles. Several commercial shellfish hatcheries, in USA and Australia, produce small numbers of juvenile mussels to supplement wild collections. Until recently the demand and value of mussels has been too poor to warrant large scale hatchery production, and most shellfish hatcheries focus on higher value species, or species for which wild collection of juveniles is not possible, eg introduced oysters. Collection of spat from the wild imposes critical limits to the capacity of the mussel aquaculture industry to increase production and to control product quality and timing of supply to markets. Reliance on wild spat leaves the industry vulnerable to recruitment failure and restricts production to seasonal availability. In recent years there has been insufficient wild spat settlement to meet the demands of the expanding Tasmanian aquaculture mussel industry. The only way that the mussel industry can begin to compete against imported products and allow Australian consumers access to Australian product is through reliable hatchery production of quality-assured spat.
Objectives: 1. To improve reliability and nutritional quality of live food production for juvenile mussels. 2. To assess the effect of the nutritional status of pre-settlement mussels on rates of spat settlement, retention, growth, and survival 3. To identify biological and physical factors that affect rates of spat settlement, retention, survival, and growth in land-based nursery systems 4. To adapt and assess the value of a stress test as a tool to assess quality of spat at the end of the land-based nursery phase. 5. To determine and identify changes in Vibrio composition and numbers associated with mortality events in mussel spat. Read moreRead less