Characterising The Role Of MID1 In X-linked Opitz Syndrome: Implications For CATCH22 And Related Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$211,527.00
Summary
Opitz syndrome is a debilitating genetic disorder which affects the normal development of many organs and tissues of the human embryo. Patients with Opitz syndrome commonly present with facial deformities (such as cleft lip and palate) as well as both genital and heart defects. Males are usually more severely affected than females although the severity of the disease can vary even amongst males of the same family. Patients can die suddenly in infancy or suffer further developmental impairment du ....Opitz syndrome is a debilitating genetic disorder which affects the normal development of many organs and tissues of the human embryo. Patients with Opitz syndrome commonly present with facial deformities (such as cleft lip and palate) as well as both genital and heart defects. Males are usually more severely affected than females although the severity of the disease can vary even amongst males of the same family. Patients can die suddenly in infancy or suffer further developmental impairment due to respiratory complications and swallowing difficulties that result from the significant facial deformities. A brighter outlook for patients is expected if early and often repeated surgical repair is undertaken to correct not only the facial deformities but also any heart and genital abnormalities. Our research laboratory has recently identified the gene that, when mutated, causes one form of Opitz syndrome. Defects in this gene account for around half the cases with the disorder. Evidence suggests that there may be a number of other genes involved in causing the remaining cases of the disease. The proposed research is aimed at investigating the molecular and developmental mechanisms that go awry as a result of the gene mutation. It is anticipated that these studies will provide valuable scientific knowledge about why some patients are more severely affected than others as well as offering clues to the identity of the genes that cause the remaining cases of Opitz syndrome. The results also have potentially important implications for the understanding of other diseases that show similar deformities. The knowledge gained from this research is expected to provide a valuable aid for effective genetic counselling (as well as the option of prenatal diagnosis) for families at risk of further affected pregnancies. This will also ultimately lead to more effective disease management and correction in the affected child.Read moreRead less
Mitigating Seal Interactions In The SRLF And Gillnet Sector SESSF In South Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$305,821.00
Summary
South Australia contains 80% of the endemic Australian sea lion (ASL) population, where substantial fishing effort in the gillnet sector SESSF (~20,000 km net-lifts/year) and SA RLF (~1.5 million pot-lifts/year) increase the risk of fatal interactions.
A recent risk assessment (FRDC 2005/077) identified that subpopulations of ASL are highly vulnerable to even low-level bycatch from fisheries, with >40% of subpopulations at risk of extinction from as little as 1-2 additional female deat ....South Australia contains 80% of the endemic Australian sea lion (ASL) population, where substantial fishing effort in the gillnet sector SESSF (~20,000 km net-lifts/year) and SA RLF (~1.5 million pot-lifts/year) increase the risk of fatal interactions.
A recent risk assessment (FRDC 2005/077) identified that subpopulations of ASL are highly vulnerable to even low-level bycatch from fisheries, with >40% of subpopulations at risk of extinction from as little as 1-2 additional female deaths/year over a 20-25 year period. The risk assessment identified that the current high proportion of depleted subpopulations of the species may be entirely due to sustained low-level bycatch by commercial fisheries.
ASL are listed as a threatened species under the Commonwealth EPBC Act, and a recovery plan has identified bycatch from bottom-set gillnet and rock lobster fisheries as the most significant anthropogenic contributor to the species’ lack of recovery. As such the development of measures to mitigate interactions with sea lions forms the most pressing ESD issues for these fisheries.
ESD assessments of both the gillnet sector of the SESSF and SARLF fisheries have identified interactions with seals as a significant issue. These assessments make at least seven recommendations to address protected species interactions (including seals), but little if any progress has been made to address these to date.
In order to have southern rock lobster taken from South Australian waters placed on the list of exempt native specimens for export under Part 13 and 13(A) of the EPBC Act, there is an imperative to address these ESD recommendations, as failure to do so may jeopardise current and future export exemptions. Objectives: 1. Develop and assess methods for mitigating sea lion interactions with southern rock lobster pots 2. Develop spatial management options for reducing bycatch to high-risk sea lion subpopulations in the gillnet SESSF, and make recommendation on spatial management options to Shark RAG 3. Assess the significance of ASL bycatch in the high-risk regions of the gillnet SESSF to provide support for spatial management options developed in objective 2 4. Develop performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of the different mitigation options developed for each fishery Read moreRead less
Development Of A Database Network For Use In The Assessment Of The Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$76,650.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To develop a database network system that integrates and allows for the efficient access to the diverse sets of data necessary for the assessment of the SBT fishery
Assessment Of Status, Composition And Market Potential Of Demersal Trawl Fish Resources In Northern Australian Waters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Establish extent, levels of exploitation of tropical demersal trawl fish resources in northern Australian waters of Arafura and Timor Seas 2. Assess data bases and collection procedures 3. Appraise foreign fishing; analyse species, catch rates, methods.
Objectives: 1. The catch rates, levels of recreational fisher participation and recreational catch of Australian herring and salmon in the various coastal fishing regions of temperate WA 2. The overall catch of each species, and the recreational and commercial proportion of the overall catch
An Assessment Of The Economic Impact On The Catching And Processing Sectors Of The Australian Tuna Industry Of Reductions In The Catch Of Juvenile Southern Bluefin Tuna
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Assess, in economic terms, the effects of reductions in catch of juvenile tuna on the catching and processing sectors of the Australian SBT tuna industry, on international fishery, Aust States & regions; 2. Alternatives available to catching & processing sectors
Seafood CRC: Bio-economic Model For SA Prawn Trawl Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$132,770.00
Summary
In recent years Australian wild catch prawn fisheries have had to compete with increasing volumes of cheaper, aquacultured imports. This has resulted in reductions in prawn prices and reduced profitability for prawn fisheries. Historically, the primary focus of management for these fisheries has been biological sustainability. Given their demonstrably sustainable management histories, there is now an urgent need to examine approaches for maximising profitability. South Australia has single ....In recent years Australian wild catch prawn fisheries have had to compete with increasing volumes of cheaper, aquacultured imports. This has resulted in reductions in prawn prices and reduced profitability for prawn fisheries. Historically, the primary focus of management for these fisheries has been biological sustainability. Given their demonstrably sustainable management histories, there is now an urgent need to examine approaches for maximising profitability. South Australia has single species prawn fisheries in Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent that target the Western King prawn. Both fisheries have Management Plans that include a detailed harvest strategy to guide fishing activities, and Performance Indicators (PIs) for assessment of fishery performance. While there are PIs to assess overall economic performance, economic needs are not explicitly considered in the harvest strategy. The Gulf St Vincent Prawn Fishery (GSVPF) has recently undergone an independent review process, from which bio-economic modeling was identified as the highest priority for research in the fishery. Consequently the Gulf St Vincent Prawn Boat Owner's Association (GSVPBOA) has given endorsement of this research proposal. Similarily, the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen's Association has endorsed economic modelling a high priority for the fishery. Objectives: 1. Collate and analyse available data for the GSV and SG prawn fisheries for integration into the bio-econimc model 2. Modify the existing Eastern king prawn bio-economic model to fit the SG and GSV prawn fishery data 3. Determine economically optimal fishing strategies for the GSV and SG prawn fisheries 4. Develop an approach to incorporate optimal fishing strategies into the harvest strategy for each fishery 5. Provide extension of the developed model and its outputs to stakeholders of other Australian prawn trawl fisheries. Read moreRead less
Informing The Review Of The Commonwealth Policy On Fisheries Bycatch Through Assessing Trends In Bycatch Of Key Commonwealth Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,000.00
Summary
DAFF is currently undertaking a review of the Commonwealth Policy on Fisheries Bycatch. The review is supported by an Advisory Committee comprising industry, departmental, research and eNGO representatives. Since the first bycatch policy was introduced in 2000, Commonwealth fisheries have been through significant change. This includes changing gear, bycatch mitigation measures, the Harvest Strategy Policy and fishery restructuring. ABARES have looked at TEPS interactions and some fisheries ha ....DAFF is currently undertaking a review of the Commonwealth Policy on Fisheries Bycatch. The review is supported by an Advisory Committee comprising industry, departmental, research and eNGO representatives. Since the first bycatch policy was introduced in 2000, Commonwealth fisheries have been through significant change. This includes changing gear, bycatch mitigation measures, the Harvest Strategy Policy and fishery restructuring. ABARES have looked at TEPS interactions and some fisheries have reported annual bycatch statistics during some periods. However, there has been no overall synthesis and analysis of trends in bycatch since 2000 for Commonwealth fisheries.
Given the importance of this review, a detailed analysis is required to inform the review and provide a means of evaluating changes in bycatch over the last 10 years or so. Such an analysis should include bycatch rate, total bycatch by fishery and bycatch composition.
Objectives: 1. Document changes in Commonwealth fisheries relevant to bycatch 2. Collate and synthesise all available bycatch data for Commonwealth fisheries 3. Analyse and report on trends in bycatch rate, total bycatch and catch composition Read moreRead less