Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Tools For Investigation Of The Nodavirus Carrier State In Marine, Euryhaline And Freshwater Fish And Control Of NNV Through Integrated Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$463,365.00
Summary
This project relates directly to the FRDC VNN Research and Development Plan, to facilitate industry profitability, sustainability, growth and development. There is an overarching need to measure and then reduce the risk to fisheries and aquaculture sectors (including natural resources) associated with transfer of nodaviruses. The aquaculture industry is proactive and responsible (eg triple bottom line reporting) and wishes to manage risks based on sound science. Industry acknowledges a residual ....This project relates directly to the FRDC VNN Research and Development Plan, to facilitate industry profitability, sustainability, growth and development. There is an overarching need to measure and then reduce the risk to fisheries and aquaculture sectors (including natural resources) associated with transfer of nodaviruses. The aquaculture industry is proactive and responsible (eg triple bottom line reporting) and wishes to manage risks based on sound science. Industry acknowledges a residual risk that cannot be controlled: virus prevalence in the wild and natural fish movements. However, there is an immediate need for industry to conduct business in the face of unknowns with respect to true disease status. While there is a need to ensure that infected, but apparently healthy, stock are not moved to areas that are considered free of the disease/disease agent, it is of fundamental importance for the sustainability of the barramundi aquaculture industry and developing species ventures such as Australian bass that stock are translocated. Current tests for determining disease status are considered inadequate, therefore biosecurity protocols in the short-term are required to address the risk of introduction of disease with water, broodstock and fomites. As new information becomes available through R&D, these protocols will be revised and improved as needed to improve biosecurity. In the meantime, protocols are needed to manage risks with incomplete information and without overburdening industry with uneconomic or unwarranted requirements. There is need for mitigation of impacts on translocation: hatchery to nursery to grow-out; hatchery to wild (eg stocking for recreational fishing); both intra-state and interstate translocations, access to overseas markets; sourcing broodstock from the wild. Financial impacts, environmental impacts and mulitsectorial impacts at level of commercial, recreational and regulatory sectors all need to be addressed. Objectives: 1. To develop and validate a real-time PCR method for the detection and identification of betanodaviruses 2. To develop and evaluate the applicability of serological tests for detection and identification of betanodaviruses 3. To transfer developed technology to Australian diagnostic laboratories 4. To provide a basis for development of a national proficiency testing scheme for the detection and identification of betanodaviruses 5. To provide recommendations for improved biosecurity protocols in relation to nodavirus infection and fish translocation Read moreRead less
Aquafin CRC - Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram: Establishment Of Challenge For AGD
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$652,222.00
Summary
Strategic plan This proposal is part of the FRDC Industry Development Program, Strategy – Aquaculture Development – Production and Production Systems. The project includes a technician and a postdoctoral research fellow (Dr Philip Crosbie) as co-investigator and they will both be provided with suitable professional development opportunities through the Education Program of the Aquafin CRC. Later in the project it may be possible to adopt a PhD student with an independent scholarship or inclu ....Strategic plan This proposal is part of the FRDC Industry Development Program, Strategy – Aquaculture Development – Production and Production Systems. The project includes a technician and a postdoctoral research fellow (Dr Philip Crosbie) as co-investigator and they will both be provided with suitable professional development opportunities through the Education Program of the Aquafin CRC. Later in the project it may be possible to adopt a PhD student with an independent scholarship or include Honours and Masters projects as they are required and become available. Thus, the project will contribute to the Human Capital Development Program, Leadership and Vocational Development. This proposal includes several key research areas outlined in the Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram Strategic R&D Plan, namely the Nature of disease and host-pathogen interactions and Training and capacity building. Relevant priorities being: to provide improved knowledge of the biology of disease agents (in this case the AGD-causing organism), and an improved knowledge of host responses to disease agents which will be partially addressed by monitoring the specific antibody response to N. pemaquidensis antigens (Nature of disease and host-pathogen interactions). Both the research and service components of this proposal will expand the technical skill base in aquatic animal health and facilitate R&D knowledge transfer (Training and capacity building). This project will underpin other projects that contribute to the Aquafin CRC Health Program Outcomes ie. reduced economic impact of disease (AGD) in finfish (Atlantic salmon) farming.
Need for this research The continued existence of Atlantic salmon farming in Tasmania is threatened by AGD. Production is expected to increase over the next few years and this will undoubtedly lead to an increase in the incidence of AGD. The AGD control method of freshwater bathing has increased in frequency with the growth in production over the past few years and this trend is expected to continue. This will present a growing cost burden to salmon growers, it is therefore imperative that the impact of AGD on the industry be reduced so as to maintain viability for the future. Multidisciplinary teams have been assembled to achieve this outcome via a number of projects. The projects are complementary and in some cases interdependent where progress in one area is dependent on progress in another area. This is particularly the case with the service component of the current proposal and the vaccine development program, where supply of infective material and a means of controlled testing of candidate vaccines are integral to success. Vaccine development requires identification of specific antigens from the pathogen that will elicit a protective immune response in the host, hence the need for significant quantities of infective material. Similarly, success of the treatment of AGD investigation is dependent on supply of cells for initial screening of a battery of potential therapeutants in vitro before attempting field trials. The research component of the proposal, which is the development of a standard AGD challenge method that can be used in experimental tanks, is essential for the success of these projects. We need to be able to consistently induce AGD in fish to economically appraise alternative treatments and candidate vaccines before moving onto costly field trials. Inducing experimental infections is widely recognised as one of the cornerstones of vaccine development (Nordmo, 1996).
Benefits The major benefit will be enabling progress in the vaccine development and alternative treatment projects to be made. We will have in place a model to economically appraise novel treatments, experimental vaccines and other less specific means of prophylaxis such as immunomodulation. Ultimately the project will contribute to a collective outcome of lessening the impact of AGD on salmon producers and reducing the estimated 10-20% of production costs that is currently spent controlling the disease. Other benefits include a better understanding of risk factors contributing to AGD, and the opportunity to investigate the virulence mechanisms of the organism. Overall the project will contribute to research output and service. The systematic development and subsequent use of challenge models will yield publishable material. The service aspect will be in the supply of amoebae to collaborators and provision of a means to test novel therapeutants, experimental vaccines and immunomodulatory compounds.
References Nordmo, R., 1996. Strengths and Weaknesses of Different Challenge Methods. In: Fish Vaccinology (ed. By Gudding, R., Lillehaug, A., Midtlyng, P.J. and Brown, F.) Developments in Biological Standardisation. Basel, Karger p 303-309 Objectives: 1. Standardisation of AGD challenge models (research) 2. Use of challenge to appraise trial vaccines developed in the vaccine development project (essential service) 3. Provision of gill-associated and cultured amoebae to collaborators (essential service) 4. Cryopreservation of virulent amoebae (research) 5. Maintenance of infection tank (essential service) 6. Provision of freshwater salmon for experiments in other projects (essential service) Read moreRead less
Abalone Aquaculture Subprogram: Preventing Summer Mortality Of Abalone In Aquaculture Systems By Understanding Interactions Between Nutrition And Water Temperature
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$104,340.00
Summary
Production times of about 3 years for farmed abalone increases the risk associated with losses from disease or infrastructure failure. For this reason alone, there is an urgent need to address any factor that compromises health or production efficiency in abalone aquaculture systems. In this instance, other reasons necessitating completion of the proposed project include:
1. As the abalone aquaculture sector has grown, it has become apparent that high mortalities can occur during the ....Production times of about 3 years for farmed abalone increases the risk associated with losses from disease or infrastructure failure. For this reason alone, there is an urgent need to address any factor that compromises health or production efficiency in abalone aquaculture systems. In this instance, other reasons necessitating completion of the proposed project include:
1. As the abalone aquaculture sector has grown, it has become apparent that high mortalities can occur during the summer months as water temperatures increase. For example, in 2000 one farm in Port Lincoln reported stock losses of up to 50 % (SA Industry, pers. comm.). The deaths are not isolated to one state or one species. Similar losses over summer have also been reported for farms culturing blacklip abalone in Tasmania (Mike Wing, Tas. Tiger Abalone, pers. comm.) and in Victoria (Mark Gervis, Southern Ocean Mariculture, pers. comm.). In Tasmania abalone mortalities are associated with rapid epithelial loss and the appearance of pustule like blisters on the footsole filled with a clear liquid. All mortalities are associated with elevated levels of Vibrio harvyi and cannabalism usually occurs once a mortality appears. As manipulation of water temperatures is not a commercially viable option in these production systems, other means must be devised to prevent losses of this magnitude. At present, farmers are addressing summer mortalities by reducing feeding rates to ensure maximum water quality. While this reduces mortalities, production levels suffer, hence other options are desirable.
2. The exact relationship between abalone mortality and decreased production levels, elevated water temperatures(stress)and nutrition is poorly understood. An understanding of these relationships will facilitate intervention to optimize health and production. Objectives: 1. Induce abalone mortality and/or bloat under experimental conditions to ensure a “control” exists for subsequent experiments. 2. Examine the interaction between high levels of fermentable carbohydrate and temperature on abalone growth rates, mortality and haemocyte counts. 3. Define nutritional treatments that may alleviate the effects of increased water temperature on abalone mortality including extrusion of dietary ingredients and immune enhancing diet additives such as antioxidants and mannan oligosaccharides. 4. Apply the results of experiments 2 and 3 to black lip abalone. Read moreRead less
SCRC: Measuring Condition Of Lobsters To Improve Management Of Harvesting Around Periods Of High Transport Mortality
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Annual losses of up to 10% of lobsters during live transport are not uncommon and have a major financial impact. The fishing industry, including processors and operators are seeking ways to avoid this mortality. As deep-water pale lobsters are more susceptible to this mortality, this project will examine their wild physiological condition in great detail and compare it to shallow-water red lobsters.
Mortality events occur mainly around the time of season openings in Mid November so this ....Annual losses of up to 10% of lobsters during live transport are not uncommon and have a major financial impact. The fishing industry, including processors and operators are seeking ways to avoid this mortality. As deep-water pale lobsters are more susceptible to this mortality, this project will examine their wild physiological condition in great detail and compare it to shallow-water red lobsters.
Mortality events occur mainly around the time of season openings in Mid November so this will the period targeted in this research. Price often falls sharply at this time because of the combined effect of increase in supply and damage to market reputation that occurs when impacted shipments are received. Managing the landing of poor quality lobsters has always been difficult because longer closed seasons would prevent landing of poor quality product but also harms businesses.
Ideally the problem of lobster mortality in shipment would be managed by keeping the fishery open for extended periods but only landing lobsters when their condition is acceptable. The fishery tends to do this on a crude level by discounting the price of pale lobster. However this is not ideal because it impacts the price of some catches of pale lobsters that are good condition, and also allows the shipment of some red lobsters of poor condition. Directly measuring condition is a step towards better management of this issue.Read moreRead less
The Effects Of Haul Seining In Victorian Bays And Inlets
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$178,180.00
Summary
The haul seine fishery is a traditional fishery which has been sustained over several generations. However, the simultaneous expansion of the recreational fishing sector and the introduction of new commercial fishing methods has brought about increased fishing pressure on the fish stocks. The recreational sector is aware of the problem and there have been many calls for a ban on commercial fishing in some areas which has resulted in the Premier's announcement for a review of commercial fishing m ....The haul seine fishery is a traditional fishery which has been sustained over several generations. However, the simultaneous expansion of the recreational fishing sector and the introduction of new commercial fishing methods has brought about increased fishing pressure on the fish stocks. The recreational sector is aware of the problem and there have been many calls for a ban on commercial fishing in some areas which has resulted in the Premier's announcement for a review of commercial fishing methods. A media release in November 1996 by the peak body VRFish contended "that if commercial netting practice is allowed to ontinue in the inshore areas, major damage will result to the long term sustainability of the Victorian fishery" and emphasised "it is now time to take action on the problem of netting in the inshore areas of Port Phillip Bay and Westernport." The claim that there is a problem with commercial netting needs to be tested, qualified and quantified in order to develop and evaluate a range of management solutions.
While the traditional haul seine fishermen have introduced a code of practise to limit fishing pressure and restrict fishing methods, there is an urgent need to collect more detailed scientific data to show that these are effective and to determine whether there is a problem with commercial netting. There is also a need to evaluate the potential of new fishing technology which have been developed for other fisheries in Australia and other countries which have been shown to improve survival rates of undersize fish and to minimise handling time by commercial fishers. These "environmentally friendly" technologies range from more appropriate netting materials and mesh sizes to square meshed escape panels which allow the escapement of juvenile fish.
The proposed project follows recent studies in South Australia and New South Wales. The research is intended to support the initiatives taken by commercial fishers in their code of practice and to provide the biological information required to improve management plans for the commercial haul seine fishery in bays and inlets. It is intended to address the concerns expressed by the recreational fishing peak body in a vision statement that " a detailed study of the effect of netting and long lining in the bays should be conducted as a matter of urgency ". This has also been supported by the recently formed Fisheries Co-management Council.
Draft fishery management plans for Port Phillip Bay, Corner Inlet and Gippsland Lakes are currently being developed. Common to all these plans are objectives of minimising the bycatch of unwanted fish and damage to fish habitats. In order to meet these objectives, more information is needed on the current fishing gears and practices and their effects on juvenile fish and seagrass.
There is a need to gain public acceptance of haul seining in bays and inlets as an ecologically sustainable method of harvesting fish. This three stage project would help to bring scientists, commercial fishermen, regional staff and managers together in a close working relationship to deal with this important issue. Objectives: 1. To describe the seine nets, fishing methods and fishing boats used in the bays and inlets of Victoria. 2. To assess the effect of haul seine fishing methods on the fish stocks and habitat in bays and inlets. 3. To determine the survival of fish captured and released from haul seine nets used in the major Victorian bays and inlets. 4. To assess the impact of haul seine nets on seagrass beds in Port Phillip Bay and Corner Inlet. Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. Determine, using parasites, whether spawning fish are drawn from a wide area or whether aggregations are of fish from only the immediate locality. 2. Look for parasitological evidence of long term migration or general fish movement as fish increase in size.
Objectives: 1. To assess the current fish disease legislation in each state, territory and New Zealand 2. To recommend improvements in the current legislation and lines of command in the event of a serious fish disease outbreak 3. To determine the requirement for chemicals/vaccines for use during a fish disease outbreak
Aquafin CRC - Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram: Use Of Immunomodulation To Improve Fish Performance In Australian Temperate Water Finfish Aquaculture
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$288,959.00
Summary
Strategic plan This proposal is part of FRDC Industry Development Program, Strategy - Aquaculture development - production and production systems. However, it also has strong capacity building elements, including training of at least one PhD student in the area of fish health/immunology and providing workshops for industry and researchers (Use of immunostimulants in finfish culture, Immune response in fish). It provides leadership development by having a full time young researcher (CI - Dr ....Strategic plan This proposal is part of FRDC Industry Development Program, Strategy - Aquaculture development - production and production systems. However, it also has strong capacity building elements, including training of at least one PhD student in the area of fish health/immunology and providing workshops for industry and researchers (Use of immunostimulants in finfish culture, Immune response in fish). It provides leadership development by having a full time young researcher (CI - Dr Richard Morrison) working on this project. Thus, this proposal will significantly contribute to Human Capital Development Program, Leadership and Vocational Development. Improved knowledge of immune response and immunomodulators was identified as one of the key research areas for aquatic animal health in Research and Development Plan Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram. Priorities covered by this key research area included immunology in aquatic vertebrates (nature of disease and host-pathogen interactions), immunomodulators (aquatic animal health management) and development of tools for immune status monitoring as a means of implementing health management strategies (surveillance and monitoring). All three elements are included in this proposal. This proposal is consistent with R&D plans for Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram and with Aquafin CRC AGD research program. It also addresses targeted priority: fish health, within Program 2: Industry Development, Key R&D issues for fisheries and aquaculture in SA, South Australia's Fisheries and Aquaculutre Research and Development Strategy 2002-2007. The research focus is within Tasmanian Fisheries and Aquaculture, Aquaculture Strategic Research Plan 1999-2004. This proposal fits well into Aquafin CRC strategy and mission by significant contribution of its outcomes to achieving sustainable aquaculture in Australia through reduction of economic impact of diseases in farmed fish, development of environmentally friendly approaches to disease management and training aquaculture industry and researchers in the fields of fish immunology.
Need for research It is impossible to prevent the presence of pathogens in aquaculture systems, particularly in sea-cage grow-out. Most disease outbreaks occur when there is an interaction between pathogens and susceptible fish (for example immunocompromised fish due to stress). This will result in lowering the performance of the fish and possibly mortalities. Sustainable aquaculture of finfish requires lowering the risk of disease outbreaks and replacing disease treatment with control strategies. The use of immunomodulators is essential to achieve these goals, in particular in times of increased disease risk or reduced immunocompetence. Our understanding of host-pathogen interactions and immune response allows for the use of appropriate immunomodulators. For example, if a disease is caused by overreaction of the inflammatory response, traditional immunostimulants will not improve the outcomes. Similarly, there is a need to determine correct timing and dose for immunomodulation in mariculture. Improved immune response would improve fish performance during grow-out.
Importantly immunomodulators are natural products that are derived from microbes, thus avoiding the use of chemical products. Commerical immunomodulators have been successfully used in aquaculture worldwide however only experimentally in Australia. For example oral immunomodulators MicroVital significantly increases survival rates of Atlantic salmon following Vibrosis challenge and 32% gain in survival rates of salmon fed natural immunomodulators (ß glucans and nucleotides) following exposure to IPN (exotic viral disease) challenge has been achieved in trials in Norway. However, there is little information available for fish species other than salmon or diseases other than commercially important in Northern Hemisphere. There is a need to develop immunomodulation strategies that are directly applicable to Australian mariculture, either specific for our species or diseases affecting Australian aquaculture industry (for example Amoebic Gill Disease) or unique conditions such as water temperatures.
Benefits For Atlantic salmon we will address AGD management by investigation of immunomodulators. AGD is the main health problem for salmon industry and successful use of immunomodulation could provide an answer, particularly in combination with other management strategies. This project is generic and the benefits are not limited to the species we will use as a model in our investigation. Other finfish aquaculture industries will also benefit from training and workshops provided by this project. Objectives: 1. Evaluate use of immunostimulants for control of AGD of Atlantic salmon. 2. Investigate role of inflammation in AGD of Atlantic salmon. 3. Test effectiveness of vaccination against AGD using crude or partially purified antigens. Read moreRead less
Aquafin CRC - Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram: Effects Of Husbandry On AGD
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$209,941.00
Summary
Strategic plan This proposal is fulfilling objectives of Aquafin CRC Centre Agreement and it is within the key research areas for Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram Strategic R&D Plan. Aquafin CRC Centre Agreement: This proposal fulfils the objective to reduce economic impact of disease in finifish farming (Program 3 Health) and provide environmentally friendly approaches to disease management (Program 3 Health). It falls within Subprogram 3B Management and control of Amoebic Gill D ....Strategic plan This proposal is fulfilling objectives of Aquafin CRC Centre Agreement and it is within the key research areas for Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram Strategic R&D Plan. Aquafin CRC Centre Agreement: This proposal fulfils the objective to reduce economic impact of disease in finifish farming (Program 3 Health) and provide environmentally friendly approaches to disease management (Program 3 Health). It falls within Subprogram 3B Management and control of Amoebic Gill Disease of Atlantic salmon. Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram Strategic R&D Plan: - aquatic animal health management This proposal will establish AGD management on the farm - best practice Results of this project will contribute to the development of Regional Codes of Best Practice for Health, which is one of the priorities in the R&D Plan - nature of disease and host-pathogen interaction (improved knowledge of the host-response to disease agent) Parasitic protozoans are one of the priority groups for this key research area. This proposal also will contribute to evaluation of host-pathogen ineractions for intractable diseaess and identify risk factors to develop disease minimisation risk. - training and capacity building (human capital development) This proposal will provide training for one postdoctoral fellow and contribute to consolidation of knowledge and capability for parasitology of aquatic animals, which is one of the priorities
Need for research There is a clear need to broaden the almost exclusive approach of managing AGD by treatment only. Identification of husbandry practices that lower disease incidence will be of immense value in curtailing the currently excessive costs of treatment. Understanding the reasons for reduced disease incidence within different salmon sub- populations at the farm level will have numerous flow of benefits to other AGD related research. In the recent AGD research survey of Tasmanian salmon producers it was stated that:
”Section role of farm management still needs some work particularly in the area of mature fish and lights. Farm observations show mature and lit fish being susceptible to infection and triploid fish having an apparent resistance to infection. We feel that study of the mechanisms involved in these examples should lead to a better understanding of the host-pathogen interaction”.
Disease outbreaks are a function of the interaction between host, pathogen and their environment. Under culture conditions it is impossible to prevent interaction between a pathogen and its host; however, the proposed study presents an opportunity to gain further knowledge, which can directly influence current industry approaches, regarding the effects of manipulating the host and its environment.
Benefits Investigation of infection in relation to these different production strategies; ie, artificial lighting, triploids and maturation will improve management of AGD and lead to reducing AGD impact on the industry. This project will provide industry with a more detailed appraisal of AGD in the field, over a longer time period, incorporating multiple treatments and seasonal changes. The advent of enhanced understanding of AGD provided by this project will provide salmon industry with alternative, environmentally friendly strategies to lower production costs of which AGD mitigation is a significant part.
Objectives: 1. To determine effects of husbandry procedures on AGD outbreaks 2. To examine effects of stock (including maturation status, sex, ploidy) on AGD outbreaks. Read moreRead less
National Diagnostic Tests For The Detection Of Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (EHNV) And Certification Of EHNV-free Fish
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$367,578.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Select optimum EHNV detection protocols and establish these as national tests 2. Investigate the use of inactivated antigen in antigen capture ELISAs which would facilitate the distribution of the diagnostic tests 3. Use diagnostic tests to determine the minimum sampling sizes and types of samples required for disease-free certification of commercial stocks 4. Optimise immunological tests that detect EHNV and anti-EHNV antibodies, from field animals 5. ....Objectives: 1. Select optimum EHNV detection protocols and establish these as national tests 2. Investigate the use of inactivated antigen in antigen capture ELISAs which would facilitate the distribution of the diagnostic tests 3. Use diagnostic tests to determine the minimum sampling sizes and types of samples required for disease-free certification of commercial stocks 4. Optimise immunological tests that detect EHNV and anti-EHNV antibodies, from field animals 5. Identify tissues/organs within host organisms where the virus replicates 6. Differentiate the major strains of Australian iridoviruses Read moreRead less