Understanding fish-killing mechanisms by harmful algal blooms: towards the design of effective mitigation strategies. Fish-killing microalgal blooms cause multi-million dollar losses to global aquaculture and wild fisheries. This project brings together leading Australian and Canadian research teams, applying sophisticated cell line and biologically active molecule technologies, to elucidate precise fish-kill mechanisms and design effective mitigation strategies.
Reducing skeletal malformations in cultured marine fish using gene expression, improved nutrition and advanced system operation. Reducing malformations in farmed fish will benefit the Australian economy and society by providing greater quantities of cheaper, higher quality fish. Increased farmed fish production, currently worth ~$300 million p.a., will increase exports and decrease imports (currently ~50% of all Australian consumed fish). To benefit are the important regional farming operations ....Reducing skeletal malformations in cultured marine fish using gene expression, improved nutrition and advanced system operation. Reducing malformations in farmed fish will benefit the Australian economy and society by providing greater quantities of cheaper, higher quality fish. Increased farmed fish production, currently worth ~$300 million p.a., will increase exports and decrease imports (currently ~50% of all Australian consumed fish). To benefit are the important regional farming operations in QLD, NSW, SA, NT, TAS and WA. In particular, the largest industry in Tasmania will profit by having a viable new species to farm (striped trumpeter) reducing risk due to climate change and global oversupply of salmon. Another important benefactor will be the rapidly expanding yellowtail kingfish industry. Read moreRead less
Environmental and behavioural approaches for parasite resistant aquaculture. In modern fish aquaculture, parasite infections threaten efficient production. Ecological problems also arise when fish farms amplify parasite populations and cause outbreaks in surrounding wild fish populations. Present control methods rarely integrate the behaviour of the host fish. This project aims to assess the behaviours of hosts and the mechanisms that lead to parasite outbreaks. It will develop behavioural appro ....Environmental and behavioural approaches for parasite resistant aquaculture. In modern fish aquaculture, parasite infections threaten efficient production. Ecological problems also arise when fish farms amplify parasite populations and cause outbreaks in surrounding wild fish populations. Present control methods rarely integrate the behaviour of the host fish. This project aims to assess the behaviours of hosts and the mechanisms that lead to parasite outbreaks. It will develop behavioural approaches that separate host and parasite, reduce infection, and altering host behaviour to improve the effectiveness of treatments and minimise their environmental impacts. This project aims to create novel methods to control parasites in ways that limit their ability to evolve resistance.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354798
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Interdisciplinary Network for Aquatic Animal Health. The value of Australian fisheries and aquaculture is increasing significantly and, whilst this has resulted in an increase in R&D spending in the area, stifled collaboration amongst isolated scientists sometimes results in slow research progress. This network will enhance research on aquatic animal health. Our main aim is to provide a stimulating environment, encourage collaboration and ensure fast flow of interdisciplinary information between ....Interdisciplinary Network for Aquatic Animal Health. The value of Australian fisheries and aquaculture is increasing significantly and, whilst this has resulted in an increase in R&D spending in the area, stifled collaboration amongst isolated scientists sometimes results in slow research progress. This network will enhance research on aquatic animal health. Our main aim is to provide a stimulating environment, encourage collaboration and ensure fast flow of interdisciplinary information between researchers. We will adapt methods and technologies from medical research and other disciplines to increase our understanding of aquatic animal health and at the same time ensure that our results are applied in other disciplines.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC140100026
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,997,000.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for the Australian Food Processing Industry in the 21st Century. ARC Training Centre for the Australian Food Processing Industry in the 21st Century. The Training Centre will educate a new generation of engineers and scientists and foster the capacity of Australian food industries to further develop advanced technologies in manufacturing and product improvement. The key objective is to support industry production of nutraceuticals for the promotion of health and well-being. I ....ARC Training Centre for the Australian Food Processing Industry in the 21st Century. ARC Training Centre for the Australian Food Processing Industry in the 21st Century. The Training Centre will educate a new generation of engineers and scientists and foster the capacity of Australian food industries to further develop advanced technologies in manufacturing and product improvement. The key objective is to support industry production of nutraceuticals for the promotion of health and well-being. In enabling the production of these nutraceuticals the Training Centre will design cost effective and sustainable processes that minimise waste-products, enhance efficiency and minimize the energy consumption. These high value products have enormous potential globally to boost not only partner company revenues but to significantly increase Australian exports in agribusiness.Read moreRead less
Integrating electrophysiology and molecular biology to understand the role of cell membranes in bacterial responses to chill and osmotic stress. Modern food manufacture is driven by competing demands: consumers prefer foods that are 'natural', i.e. having received minimal processing and containing less preservatives, and last, but are safe. Thus, a challenge is to find minimal sets of treatments and preservatives that limit microbial growth.
Current methods to for determining limits to microbi ....Integrating electrophysiology and molecular biology to understand the role of cell membranes in bacterial responses to chill and osmotic stress. Modern food manufacture is driven by competing demands: consumers prefer foods that are 'natural', i.e. having received minimal processing and containing less preservatives, and last, but are safe. Thus, a challenge is to find minimal sets of treatments and preservatives that limit microbial growth.
Current methods to for determining limits to microbial growth are time and consuming and empirical. We will assess the potential of a new method (MIFE) to rapidly measure limits of bacterial growth under combinations of treatments. At the same time we will study how cells, and in particular how the cell membrane, responds to these stresses to provide insights for the development of new, minimal - yet safe - food preservation technologies.
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Development of an amoebic gill disease vaccine to protect Atlantic salmon. This project aims to identify candidate vaccine antigens and produce an experimental vaccine against amoebic gill disease (AGD) that will benefit the Tasmanian and international Atlantic salmon aquaculture industries. AGD is the most significant health problem affecting Atlantic salmon aquaculture in Tasmania. In the last decade, AGD has become a legitimate health threat to the multibillion dollar global Atlantic salmon i ....Development of an amoebic gill disease vaccine to protect Atlantic salmon. This project aims to identify candidate vaccine antigens and produce an experimental vaccine against amoebic gill disease (AGD) that will benefit the Tasmanian and international Atlantic salmon aquaculture industries. AGD is the most significant health problem affecting Atlantic salmon aquaculture in Tasmania. In the last decade, AGD has become a legitimate health threat to the multibillion dollar global Atlantic salmon industry. A solution is needed before AGD fully establishes itself in the largest Atlantic salmon producing nations. The expected outcome of this project is the development of a commercial vaccine that should significantly benefit the Australian and international aquaculture industries. Read moreRead less
Trojan Y as a genetic solution for controlling and eradicating the Eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki. The project aims to develop applied genetic strategies to eradicate Gambusia, a serious invasive pest fish species, from a Tasmanian estuary. The goal is to advance the Trojan Y chromosome model from theory to an applied solution. The project aims to employ an integrated ecological, physiological, behavioural, genetic and genomics approach, within the unique island-within-an-island status ....Trojan Y as a genetic solution for controlling and eradicating the Eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki. The project aims to develop applied genetic strategies to eradicate Gambusia, a serious invasive pest fish species, from a Tasmanian estuary. The goal is to advance the Trojan Y chromosome model from theory to an applied solution. The project aims to employ an integrated ecological, physiological, behavioural, genetic and genomics approach, within the unique island-within-an-island status of Gambusia infestation in Tasmania.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.
Lost at sea? Understanding adaptation and dispersal in spiny lobsters. Continual recruitment of young is fundamental to the replenishment of populations, especially when a stock is fished. Existing theory suggests that species with very long planktonic larval stages disperse widely, ensuring their genes are well mixed. However, recently identified genetic differences between populations of rock lobster challenge this paradigm and demonstrate that despite larvae mixing in the ocean for years, loc ....Lost at sea? Understanding adaptation and dispersal in spiny lobsters. Continual recruitment of young is fundamental to the replenishment of populations, especially when a stock is fished. Existing theory suggests that species with very long planktonic larval stages disperse widely, ensuring their genes are well mixed. However, recently identified genetic differences between populations of rock lobster challenge this paradigm and demonstrate that despite larvae mixing in the ocean for years, local recruitment and/or adaptation are at play. Recent developments in genomics and bioinformatics should allow this project to understand the ecological processes underpinning these genetic signatures and determine their evolutionary implications. Such findings could direct targeted rebuilding of depleted fisheries stocks.Read moreRead less