Development And Assessment Of Methods To Reduce The Predation Of Pot-caught Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus Edwardsii) By Maori Octopus (Octopus Maorum)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$205,592.00
Summary
The predation of 'pot caught' rock lobsters by octopus is the major cause of direct loss to fishermen in South Australia. In the Southern Zone Fishery it is estimated that on average 10% of all pots are predated by octopus. Octopus kill between 200-250,000 legal sized lobsters each year which represents and annual loss to the industry of between $5-10 million.
In the Northern Zone Fishery (input regulated) predation results in direct financial cost to fishermen associated with the lo ....The predation of 'pot caught' rock lobsters by octopus is the major cause of direct loss to fishermen in South Australia. In the Southern Zone Fishery it is estimated that on average 10% of all pots are predated by octopus. Octopus kill between 200-250,000 legal sized lobsters each year which represents and annual loss to the industry of between $5-10 million.
In the Northern Zone Fishery (input regulated) predation results in direct financial cost to fishermen associated with the loss of saleable lobsters. In the Southern Zone Fishery (output regulated) predation results in indirect costs associated with increased time and effort expended to catch quota.
Prevention of octopus predation would generate greater income to fishermen in the Northern Zone and reduce costs and number of days required to catch quota in the Southern Zone.
In addition to the economic costs, a significant consequence of octopus predation is its impact on rock lobster stocks and the sustainability of the fishery. The loss of lobsters to octopus results in increased fishing pressure on stocks. Fishermen catch more lobsters than required to compensate for those killed by octopus. A reduction in the number of lobsters killed by octopus would enable fishermen to catch less lobsters without affecting existing income levels resulting in reduced pressure on an already heavily exploited resource. Elimination of predation may provide an important buffer against the threat of overfishing and significantly enhance the sustainability of the industry by reducing harvest levels by 200,000+ lobsters each year. Objectives: 1. Describe the spatial and temporal changes that have occurred in octopus predation level over the last 15 years. 2. Determine how environmental factors influence octopus predation levels over a fishing season. 3. Identify pot modifications that have the potential to prevent/reduce octopus predation of pot caught Southern Rock Lobster. 4. Trial pot designs to prevent/reduce octopus predation under laboratory conditions. 5. Develop a pot that under commercial fishing conditions, prevents/reduces octopus predation, maintains lobster catch rates and is cost effective to implement. 6. Ensure industry participation and consultation at all stages of the project. 7. Ensure adoption of the modified pot(s) by industry where appropriate. Read moreRead less
Application Of ELISA/PCR Tests Developed In Japan To The Detection Of A Barramundi Picorna-like Virus In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$9,812.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Using techniques developed in Japan for the detection of a virus lethal to striped jack and a very similar one that occurs in barramundi, examine the various material from Lates calcarifer 2. Objectives as stated in B4 of the application.
Workshop To Facilitate Epidemiological Analysis Of Unexplained Mortality Of South Australian Pacific Oyster
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$36,000.00
Summary
For at least the last 12 years SA growers have noticed unexplained mortality of Pacific Oysters. Tests for Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (OHSV-1uvar) have come up negative each time.
The mortality was first documented in Smokey Bay and is now documented in all the major producing Bays in South Australia, including Coffins Bay, Smoky Bay, Cowell and Ceduna (Denial Bay). Mortality rates have been increasing over time. Losses of between 5-20% each year which equates to between $1.8-$7 ....For at least the last 12 years SA growers have noticed unexplained mortality of Pacific Oysters. Tests for Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (OHSV-1uvar) have come up negative each time.
The mortality was first documented in Smokey Bay and is now documented in all the major producing Bays in South Australia, including Coffins Bay, Smoky Bay, Cowell and Ceduna (Denial Bay). Mortality rates have been increasing over time. Losses of between 5-20% each year which equates to between $1.8-$7 million per annum.
Mortalities are generally associated with seasonal temperature related stress in the animals. The timing of the mortalities varies from year to year within specific bays. Mortlaities do not follow a geographical distribution with some sites more affected than others. Anacodatal advice from growers indicates that sites with slower growth rates don’t suffer as badly has highly productivity bays.
In recent years, mortalities have been experienced in the major producing bays. Anacdotal adivce from growers indicates that mortality is particularly in smaller to medium size oysters, but mortality is also occuring in mature stock.
There does seem to be a genetic link to the mortality with anacdotal reports of 100 % mortality of certain “batches”. Given this link the breeding program is breeding for resistance to these unexplained mortality events. Susceptibility varies depending on the family line.
In response some growers are lifting the height of the oysters which reduces the mortlaity rate but slows the growth rate and increases the growout time. There is concerm within the industry that this is not an economically viable solution in the long term.
Research has been proposed to investigate unexpained mortality however industry are supportive of an epidemiological analysis of exisiting data and knowledge to narrow the likely causes so that any future research is focused on likely causes.
Objectives: 1. Bring together growers and epidemiologists to define, describe and quantify the scope of unexplained mortality of Pacific Oysters in South Australia 2. Develop and test range of hypothetical causes of the mortalities based on best available information and expertise 3. Identify any gaps in the knowledge or expertise required to test the hypothetical causes 4. Refine and seek agreement on a future Research and Development plan that addresses unexplained Pacific Oyster mortality in South Australia Read moreRead less
QX Disease In The Hawkesbury River's Sydney Rock Oyster Fishery - Workshop
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$8,462.63
Summary
Objectives: 1. Document current knowledge on QX and winter mortality. 2. Provide recommendations to government and industry on options to mitigate or prevent the adverse impacts of QX and winter mortality through management, policy and practice. 3. Develop an R&D plan to address priority gaps in knowledge and processes to improve the advice to industry and Government.
Seafood CRC: Maximising Value By Reducing Stress-related Mortality In Wild Harvested Abalone
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$190,987.19
Summary
The Abalone Council of Australia (ACA) has clearly identified in their Strategic Plan (2007-2017) goals to have an Australian national wild abalone brand driven by a national Quality Assurance and Product Integrity Program, and to increase the industry GVP (in real terms) by 25% to $268 million in 2012 and by 50% to $321 million by 2017.
This project supports these goals, particularly a desire to increase the value of the abalone, by ensuring that animals in the best possible physiologi ....The Abalone Council of Australia (ACA) has clearly identified in their Strategic Plan (2007-2017) goals to have an Australian national wild abalone brand driven by a national Quality Assurance and Product Integrity Program, and to increase the industry GVP (in real terms) by 25% to $268 million in 2012 and by 50% to $321 million by 2017.
This project supports these goals, particularly a desire to increase the value of the abalone, by ensuring that animals in the best possible physiological condition are provided to the processor for live export. This project also encompasses the development of practices that ensure marine environmental sustainability, because animals that are not suitable or which cannot be transported to maintain optimal physiological status will not be harvested. The development of handling and transport protocols delivers into the desire for the industry to develop uniform Codes of Practice and product standards. Ultimately this will be about effectively managing harvest and the integrity of product going to market. This project will supporting ACA’s vision to work with fishers, processors and value adders to establish a whole-of-chain approach to creating premium Australian products and servicing consumers
Objectives: 1. Quantify changes in stress levels in abalone from the time that they are removed from the reef to the point of export from the processors, including the live-holding period 2. Quantify how the magnitude of stress and the capacity to recover from stress is affected by the different natural factors time spent on the deck prior to packing in crates post-harvest, the extent and use of seawater immersion on the boat, the timing and frequency of water changes during transport, the influence of reproductive condition, and season of harvest. Read moreRead less
Construction And Evaluation Of An Underwater Setting Device To Prevent Accidental Capture Of Seabirds On Tuna Longliners
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$91,596.00
Summary
Population declines have been identified for six albatross species, and fisheries related mortality has been implicated in these declines.From the fishers perspective, each time a bait is removed by a seabird, or a seabird is caught on a hook, the chance of catching a fish is reduced.Accidental capture of seabirds is a deleterious event from both the seabird and the fishers perspective and it is in every body’s interest to find more effective solutions to this problem Objectives: ....Population declines have been identified for six albatross species, and fisheries related mortality has been implicated in these declines.From the fishers perspective, each time a bait is removed by a seabird, or a seabird is caught on a hook, the chance of catching a fish is reduced.Accidental capture of seabirds is a deleterious event from both the seabird and the fishers perspective and it is in every body’s interest to find more effective solutions to this problem Objectives: 1. To redesign and construct an improved capsule setting device which is capable of achieving a 5 second cycle setting time at a setting depth of 3m, and is safe for crew to use in all conditions. 2. To determine the effectiveness of the capsule setting device in preventing seabirds from taking bait during setting. 3. To evaluate the impact of the capsule setting device on catch of target species 4. To define optimum installation configuration and deployment strategy of capsule setting device in relation to the influence of propeller and hull turbulence. 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
Parameters For Stock Yield Assessments In The Developing Orange Roughy And Blue Grenadier Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Determine, for both orange roughy and blue grenadier, age and age/length relationships, age at recruitment and maturity, and estimates of total mortality from which natural mortality may be estimated