Abalone Aquaculture Subprogram: Development Of An Integrated Management Program For The Control Of Spionid Mudworms In Cultured Abalone
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$139,008.34
Summary
Abalone culture is a rapidly expanding industry, both in Australia and other countries, where sea-based growout systems are common. Presently the most successful commercial abalone farming operations in Australia are land based, although there is a trend towards the establishment of sea based operations in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and possibly New South Wales, in addition to the established operations in Tasmania. The establishment of a successful sea cage abalone culture ind ....Abalone culture is a rapidly expanding industry, both in Australia and other countries, where sea-based growout systems are common. Presently the most successful commercial abalone farming operations in Australia are land based, although there is a trend towards the establishment of sea based operations in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and possibly New South Wales, in addition to the established operations in Tasmania. The establishment of a successful sea cage abalone culture industry depends primarily on overcoming the problems of high mortality due to mudworm. Successful establishment of this sector of the abalone culture industry, in Tasmania and elsewhere, will enhance the stability and viability of abalone culture in Australia, enabling better competitiveness with overseas producers.
Sea cage culture offers a lower capital investment strategy to a land based operation, and is therefore the best option for some small operators. In addition it represents a cost effective alternative for grow out of larger stock produced in land based operations. The involvement of three of Tasmania's largest salmon producers in sea cage abalone culture is indicative of the potentially valuable means of diversification for existing marine farmers that sea cage abalone farming represents. Additionally, sea based culture represents the most viable means of long term culture of abalone necessary for the production of large animals for products such as pearls.
Mudworm infestation also affects land based operations, causing elevated mortality levels, and reduced growth. In addition, other cultured molluscs, particularly oysters, are prone to mudworm infestation. Advances in mudworm control through improved management strategies will therefore assist the viability of these industries.
Any strategic approach to the control of mudworm, with or without the use of chemotherapeutants, will need to be based on an overall management approach. Consideration will need to be given to such factors as the ecological and hydrodynamic characteristics of sites, the design, placement and maintenance of cages, husbandry practices and management of stock. Clearly the development of such a strategy requires substantial baseline data on the epidemiology of the parasite and the biology of the host/parasite interaction, an area in which there is currently a paucity of information. Objectives: 1. In general, to develop methods for the control of mudworms in farmed abalone, based on the principles of sustainable aquaculture. 2. To thoroughly investigate the ecology and reproductive biology of spionid mudworms and their interaction with abalone, through monitoring, field and laboratory experiments. 3. To gather long term data on the efficacy of the chemical treatment(s) throughout the production cycle 4. To develop a protocol of chemical treatment within the production cycle to optimise the efficiency of chemical control in relation to abalone survival, growth and marketability, cost, and responsible chemical use. 5. To gather information on the epidemiology of mudworm infestation in relation to ecological and hydrodynamic characteristics of sites, cage design and deployment and stock husbandry. 6. To use information collected to refine culture methods so as to minimise the level and consequences of mudworm infestation, preferably without the use of chemical treatments. Read moreRead less
Improvements To Semi Intensive Floating Tank System To Achieve Commercial Readiness In Marine Environments
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$72,000.00
Summary
This project relates to Challenge 3 - Increased demand and profitability. The priority it relates to is "Develop capacity to produce more fish for consumption or for fishing experiences."
Growing demand for finfish cannot be met by Australian commercial fishing sources, (particularly with cancellation of commercial licenses in WA). Aquaculture can potentially meet this growing demand. However, there is a reducing number of marine aquaculture sites in Australia due to the increased at ....This project relates to Challenge 3 - Increased demand and profitability. The priority it relates to is "Develop capacity to produce more fish for consumption or for fishing experiences."
Growing demand for finfish cannot be met by Australian commercial fishing sources, (particularly with cancellation of commercial licenses in WA). Aquaculture can potentially meet this growing demand. However, there is a reducing number of marine aquaculture sites in Australia due to the increased attention to the environmental impact of traditional sea cage aquaculture.
This project is focused on creating an environmentally sensitive marine aquaculture production system, to increase aquaculture production, offsetting the reduction of commercial fishing licenses and help address the increasing prices of finfish in WA.
The FRDC will be aware of the SIFTS project in Northam which had combined funding from FRDC and The Wheatbelt Development Authority. It was concluded that the SIFTS has application in sensitive marine environments.
Therefore, McRobert have funded the R&D to date ($550,000) modifying the SIFTS for a sheltered marine environment. This R&D has resulted in a prototype in Fremantle Harbour. To date, only small quantities of fish have been trialed as the system still needs to have a number of components completed before it can be put into full utilisation.
McRobert wish to progress quickly with these modifications so that we can trial several species, and analyse data before the lease on the site expires.
Benefits from this project include: - More coastal locations will be acceptable for aquaculture of marine finfish using a SIFTS system, making aquaculture viable. - Increased aquaculture production in Australia and less reliance on imports. - Excess capacity in the exisiting value adding infrastructure can be utilised rather than abandoned. - Sludge dewatering and economic disposal will also have potential benefits for existing and future recirculation systems.
Objectives: 1. To develop an efficient commercial waste process that results in an onshore waste product that can either be used commercially or dispoased of economically 2. To design and commission a labour efficient system which removes sick/dead fish from SIFTS without diving and stressing the remaining fish. Read moreRead less
Reducing The Number Of Undefined Species In The Status Of Australian Fish Stocks Reports: Phase One - Categorising "undefined" Species And Addressing The Description Of This Stock Status In The Nationally Agreed Classification Framework
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$18,000.00
Summary
The FRDC National Priority 1 targets include two elements relevant to the undefined category. The first is to increase the number of species covered in SAFS to 200 by 2020. The second is to reduce the percentage of species (stocks?) classified as undefined to less than 10% by 2020. Given that a greater proportion of the additional species to be introduced are likely to be data-limited, since major stocks by value are already included in SAFS, meeting these two targets simultaneously by 2020 pose ....The FRDC National Priority 1 targets include two elements relevant to the undefined category. The first is to increase the number of species covered in SAFS to 200 by 2020. The second is to reduce the percentage of species (stocks?) classified as undefined to less than 10% by 2020. Given that a greater proportion of the additional species to be introduced are likely to be data-limited, since major stocks by value are already included in SAFS, meeting these two targets simultaneously by 2020 poses some challenges. While the longer-term need is to be able to accurately assess the status of more stocks, the shorter-term need is to gain a better understanding of why the 49 stocks classed as undefined in SAFS 2016 could not be assigned a status category. Preliminary examination of the reports for these 49 stocks suggests that there are several different reasons for their undefined classification. There is a need to better understand these reasons, divide them into categories, and assign the current 49 stocks to these categories. There is also a need to provide clearer guidance to SAFS authors about use of the undefined classification.
Objectives: 1. Develop and assign categories for the "undefined" classification in SAFS 2. Provide improved description of and guidance for the "undefined" classification in SAFS 3. Review how 'Negligible' catch is addressed in SAFS and provide clear description and guidance Read moreRead less
Assessment Of Stocks Of Sea Mullet (Mugil Cephalus) In NSW And Qld Waters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$310,485.09
Summary
Objectives: 1. Calculation of the dollar value of total mullet catch under the present regime and under alternate regimes that might be considered 2. Development of practices for year to year adjustment of the estimate of expected catch having reference to fluctuations in abundance of the stock of the year
Analysis Of The Microchemistry And Stable Isotopic Composition Of The Otoliths Of Goldband Snapper (Pristipomoides Multidens) As An Aid To The Determination Of Stock Structure
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$31,608.00
Summary
The Northern Territory Fisheries Division and the Fisheries Department of Western Australia are currently formulating management plans for the demersal fisheries off their respective coastlines and are concerned about current levels of exploitation and the potential for over-exploitation. A key issue in the formulation of these plans is whether there is a single shared stock between WA and NT or distinct isolated stocks. Under a single stock assumption, overfishing in any one sector of the fishe ....The Northern Territory Fisheries Division and the Fisheries Department of Western Australia are currently formulating management plans for the demersal fisheries off their respective coastlines and are concerned about current levels of exploitation and the potential for over-exploitation. A key issue in the formulation of these plans is whether there is a single shared stock between WA and NT or distinct isolated stocks. Under a single stock assumption, overfishing in any one sector of the fishery could lead to depleted catches in other sectors. There is presently little information on the stock structure of Pristipomoides multidens across northern Australia, nor is there any information on migration patterns within the region (genetic differences are currently being investigated in FRDC Project 96/131). This important issue needs to be resolved before appropriate management plans can be determined.
Furthermore, the resolution of stock structure between WA and NT will allow informed decisions on the likelihood of shared demersal fishery resources with Indonesia across international maritime boundaries (NT Fisheries have collected some samples from Indonesian waters).
See also original Need in FRDC Project 96/131. Objectives: 1. To investigate the stock structure of Goldband Snapper (Pristipomoides multidens) across northern Australia using otolith microchemistry and stable isotopic composition in order to assist in the sustainable development of appropriate management plans for the deepwater snapper fisheries of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. To develop a ten year strategy for fisheries R&D that supports the sustainable utilisation, development and management of fisheries resources and a process for reviewing and revising the strategy. 2. To agree on the role, membership and operating procedures of the Queensland Fishing Industry Research Advisory Committee (QFIRAC). 3. To develop an agreed process for priority setting and monitoring progress on current R&D for the use of QFIRAC and stakeholders ....Objectives: 1. To develop a ten year strategy for fisheries R&D that supports the sustainable utilisation, development and management of fisheries resources and a process for reviewing and revising the strategy. 2. To agree on the role, membership and operating procedures of the Queensland Fishing Industry Research Advisory Committee (QFIRAC). 3. To develop an agreed process for priority setting and monitoring progress on current R&D for the use of QFIRAC and stakeholders in fisheries resources. Read moreRead less
Cephalopod Beak Identification And Biomass Estimation Techniques: Tools For Dietary Studies Of Southern Australian Finfishes
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$56,636.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To produce a diagnostic illustrated key for identification of cephalopod beaks in the diets of marine vertebrates from southern Australian waters. 2. To analyse relationships between beak morphometrics and whole animal attributes, in order to develop back-calculation formulae for estimation of prey size and biomass.