Towards selective breeding of pearl oysters - quantitative and population genetics of the silver-lipped pearl oyster Pinctada maxima. Successful selective breeding programs rely on two critical factors; i) an understanding of the genetic processes underpinning phenotypic expression of commercially important traits and ii) a reliable method to retain pedigrees so that the rate of inbreeding can be controlled. This project will utilise modern quantitative and molecular genetic approaches to genera ....Towards selective breeding of pearl oysters - quantitative and population genetics of the silver-lipped pearl oyster Pinctada maxima. Successful selective breeding programs rely on two critical factors; i) an understanding of the genetic processes underpinning phenotypic expression of commercially important traits and ii) a reliable method to retain pedigrees so that the rate of inbreeding can be controlled. This project will utilise modern quantitative and molecular genetic approaches to generate for the first time fundamental information on the role genetics has on growth and pearl quality traits in the silver-lipped pearl oyster Pinctada maxima. Outcomes from this project when integrated into a selective breeding program for this species will dramatically transform the international competitiveness of this valuable industry.Read moreRead less
Linking genes with the phenotype - creation of a genetic linkage map for the silver-lipped pearl oyster Pinctada maxima. R&D undertaken in this project will increase our fundamental understanding of the role genetics plays in production of a premium quality cultured South Sea pearl. When utilised in future selective breeding programs aimed at improving pearl quality traits the information generated will allow Australian pearling companies to be more productive and to maintain a competitive advan ....Linking genes with the phenotype - creation of a genetic linkage map for the silver-lipped pearl oyster Pinctada maxima. R&D undertaken in this project will increase our fundamental understanding of the role genetics plays in production of a premium quality cultured South Sea pearl. When utilised in future selective breeding programs aimed at improving pearl quality traits the information generated will allow Australian pearling companies to be more productive and to maintain a competitive advantage over their rivals. Many rural communities are dependent on pearling companies for their economic prosperity and community identity. Consequently, positive growth of the pearl industry as a result of the proposed R&D will greatly benefit the economic and social wealth of these rural populations.Read moreRead less
Optimising barramundi production through early prediction of thermal tolerance and growth. Aquaculture is Australia's fastest growing primary industry and is increasingly becoming an important employer in regional Australia. Consequently, positive growth in this sector linked to productivity gains through R&D will result in improved socioeconomic prosperity of regional communities. This project will allow barramundi farmers to identify highly productive families early on in the culture process, ....Optimising barramundi production through early prediction of thermal tolerance and growth. Aquaculture is Australia's fastest growing primary industry and is increasingly becoming an important employer in regional Australia. Consequently, positive growth in this sector linked to productivity gains through R&D will result in improved socioeconomic prosperity of regional communities. This project will allow barramundi farmers to identify highly productive families early on in the culture process, thereby improving their efficiency of farming and increasing their international competitiveness in the rapidly expanding global market. The project will also establish Australia at the forefront of biotechnological research and its applications to aquaculture.Read moreRead less
The role of neurohormones in the regulation of appetite and successful sea water transfer in farmed Atlantic salmon. Cultured Atlantic salmon spend the first part of their life in freshwater and then following a physiological adaption phase called smoltification, the fish (now termed smolts) are transferred to sea cages for growout. A proportion of smolts fail to thrive after transfer, show slow or no growth and usually die some months later. This project will investigate the role that the neuro ....The role of neurohormones in the regulation of appetite and successful sea water transfer in farmed Atlantic salmon. Cultured Atlantic salmon spend the first part of their life in freshwater and then following a physiological adaption phase called smoltification, the fish (now termed smolts) are transferred to sea cages for growout. A proportion of smolts fail to thrive after transfer, show slow or no growth and usually die some months later. This project will investigate the role that the neurohomones that control both appetite and physiological stress in fish have in stimulating the resumption of feeding after sea water transfer.The basic knowledge generated will be used directly in development of strategies for minimising smolt failure in Atlantic salmon aquaculture.Read moreRead less
An investigation of the underlying mechanisms that control gender and fertility in the Moreton Bay Bug, Thenus orientalis. To date there is no available information on the underlying biochemical and genetic mechanisms that control gender and fertility in Thenus spp. Understanding how gender and fertility are controlled in this lobster species will allow development of technologies to exploit desired commercial traits such as reproductive sterility (for genetic protection). Such technologies wil ....An investigation of the underlying mechanisms that control gender and fertility in the Moreton Bay Bug, Thenus orientalis. To date there is no available information on the underlying biochemical and genetic mechanisms that control gender and fertility in Thenus spp. Understanding how gender and fertility are controlled in this lobster species will allow development of technologies to exploit desired commercial traits such as reproductive sterility (for genetic protection). Such technologies will facilitate rapid uptake of commercial culture of this high-value species in Australia and establishment of international markets. Read moreRead less
Improving the growth rate and flesh quality of cultured Barramundi: Investigating the effects of temperature, diet, and population. Barramundi fillet is one of the premier seafoods available in Australia and the decline of wild fisheries has increased the demand for the cultured product. Accordingly, there has been a rapid growth of the barramundi farming industry, but competition from cheaper overseas imports has cut the sale price and profit margins of local growers. By developing methods to i ....Improving the growth rate and flesh quality of cultured Barramundi: Investigating the effects of temperature, diet, and population. Barramundi fillet is one of the premier seafoods available in Australia and the decline of wild fisheries has increased the demand for the cultured product. Accordingly, there has been a rapid growth of the barramundi farming industry, but competition from cheaper overseas imports has cut the sale price and profit margins of local growers. By developing methods to increase growth rates, this research has the potential to substantially increase profit margins by reducing production costs and increasing turnover. Improvement of flesh quality will also increase the attractiveness of barramundi fillet. Increasing the viability of barramundi culture in Australia will attract more growers and increase employment opportunities.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH130200013
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,979,922.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for advanced breeding to transform prawn aquaculture. ARC Research Hub for advanced breeding to transform prawn aquaculture. This Research Hub aims to bring together world-leading animal geneticists, research and service providers, and Australia's largest prawn farm to gather the genomic resources, commercial phenotypic data, and apply cutting-edge genetic and genomic selection methodologies, leading to the transformative improvement program for a black tiger prawn aquaculture s ....ARC Research Hub for advanced breeding to transform prawn aquaculture. ARC Research Hub for advanced breeding to transform prawn aquaculture. This Research Hub aims to bring together world-leading animal geneticists, research and service providers, and Australia's largest prawn farm to gather the genomic resources, commercial phenotypic data, and apply cutting-edge genetic and genomic selection methodologies, leading to the transformative improvement program for a black tiger prawn aquaculture species globally.Read moreRead less
Removing the impediment to large-scale selective breeding of Australian barramundi: deciphering and manipulating the genetic basis of sex change. This project will determine the genetic basis of sex control in barramundi and develop technologies to allow barramundi hatcheries to have increased control over reproduction leading to more efficient propagation and removing impediments to selective breeding.
Striking Gold - Determining the genetics of gold skin colour in barramundi. Barramundi is one of Australia’s finest eating table fish and the species is gaining global prominence. However, fillet flesh colour of Australian farmed barramundi exhibit greyish tones which lowers consumer acceptance compared to other white flesh fish and imported product. Barramundi with rare golden skin tones do not exhibit this flesh "greyness" and are therefore a valuable niche product to farm if they can be produ ....Striking Gold - Determining the genetics of gold skin colour in barramundi. Barramundi is one of Australia’s finest eating table fish and the species is gaining global prominence. However, fillet flesh colour of Australian farmed barramundi exhibit greyish tones which lowers consumer acceptance compared to other white flesh fish and imported product. Barramundi with rare golden skin tones do not exhibit this flesh "greyness" and are therefore a valuable niche product to farm if they can be produced in larger numbers. This project will elucidate the genetic basis and mechanism of expression behind the golden barramundi phenotype. In doing so, it will enable barramundi farmers to produce them at commercially relevant scales, providing them with a substantial competitive advantage in both domestic and global markets.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH120100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
Commercial development of rock lobster culture systems: the cutting edge of aquaculture. Commercial development of rock lobster culture systems: the cutting edge of aquaculture. This Research Hub will develop unique aquaculture systems, using novel engineering manufacture to mass produce lobster seed stock. A reliable, large-scale supply of seed will enable seacage culture, evaluation of wild stock enhancement and lead to sustainable food production.