SCRC: PhD: Reducing The Taint In Barramundi Farmed In Recirculating Freshwater Systems
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Inconsistent quality of farmed barramundi (pond or recirculation system) in the marketplace has been identified by ABFA as a major issue causing buyer resistance and negative market impacts. This is limiting realisation of full revenue return for farmed barramundi. The inconsistency in quality is mainly associated with the presence of ‘earthy’ or ’muddy’ taints derived from planktonic and benthic algae (particularly cyanobacteria), fungi and actinomycetes which are known to p ....Inconsistent quality of farmed barramundi (pond or recirculation system) in the marketplace has been identified by ABFA as a major issue causing buyer resistance and negative market impacts. This is limiting realisation of full revenue return for farmed barramundi. The inconsistency in quality is mainly associated with the presence of ‘earthy’ or ’muddy’ taints derived from planktonic and benthic algae (particularly cyanobacteria), fungi and actinomycetes which are known to produce geosmin (GSM) and 2-methyl isoborneol (MIB). These compounds impart muddy, earthy, musty odour, detectable by the human palate when present at extremely low concentrations in water and fish, and not favoured by consumers (Percival et al., 2008). This project aims to develop an algae-taint production model for recirculation systems. This innovative approach will provide clear and measurable direction for reducing taint compound levels through provision of a practical management tool. Its use will significantly improve knowledge of the balance between water quality, algicide use and purging time and conditions, and taint variability.Read moreRead less
Enabling Land-based Production Of Juvenile Yellowtail Kingfish In NSW
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$325,000.00
Summary
This application addresses the NSW FRAB and FRDC Subprogram Priority 2 INDUSTRY 25 – Developing Marine Finfish Aquaculture in NSW.
NSW imports approximately 85% of its seafood and needs a substantial increase in investment and production, most notably, new marine based aquaculture development is required. However, marine aquaculture development is fundamentally constrained by the lack of background biological and economic information. To develop marine finfish production, the NSW govern ....This application addresses the NSW FRAB and FRDC Subprogram Priority 2 INDUSTRY 25 – Developing Marine Finfish Aquaculture in NSW.
NSW imports approximately 85% of its seafood and needs a substantial increase in investment and production, most notably, new marine based aquaculture development is required. However, marine aquaculture development is fundamentally constrained by the lack of background biological and economic information. To develop marine finfish production, the NSW government has invested significantly in establishing a 20 ha Marine Aquaculture Research Lease (MARL) off Port Stephens with approval to produce up to 998 t fish/annum. Yellowtail Kingfish (YTK) is the primary species of interest. This interest in YTK is in part driven by a shortfall of Kingfish and Barramundi from aquaculture in local markets – of the order of 460 t at the Sydney Fish Market alone in 2013.
This project will complement the DoA project "Growing a profitable, innovative and collaborative Australian YTK aquaculture industry: bringing ‘white’ fish to the market - RnD4Profit-14-01-027". The end users are the Public, Regulators and Industry. Research will address short term needs to develop marine fish farming in eastern Australia and to provide a platform for ongoing research.
Industry need: YTK production within Australia has been challenging and further research is needed, particularly when entering new farming environments. It is essential to identify supply chains from broodstock to market. In particular, culture of the largest juveniles possible on land before transfer to seacages is essential to optimise survival and production. Land-based techniques need to be developed for viable production of advanced juvenile YTK.
Public need: Extensive public consultation identified key concerns with respect to the sustainable operation of the MARL. Keys concerns related to viable operation of marine fish farming and need to be investigated.
Regulatory need: There is a need for NSW DPI to develop a Marine Waters Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy for NSW (MWSAS) to streamline investment pathways and promote sustainable seafood production. Data from this project will be an essential component of the MWSAS. Objectives: 1. to validate the feasibility of the PSFI hatchery to produce commercial quantities of YTK fingerlings 2. to determine the feasibility and logistics of large-scale, land-based systems for production of advanced juvenile YTK Read moreRead less
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Improved Fish Health Management For Integrated Inland Aquaculture Through Better Management Practices (BMPs)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$182,271.31
Summary
Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) aquaculture is a new and developing industry in inland Australia which features efficient and profitable use of natural resources (water and fish) in regional Victoria, NSW and Queensland. Farmed Murray cod is a premium product in domestic markets and small quantities are being sold in markets overseas. In north western Victoria the industry is centred around existing horticulture enterprises and aims to add value to large water holdings by applying mu ....Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) aquaculture is a new and developing industry in inland Australia which features efficient and profitable use of natural resources (water and fish) in regional Victoria, NSW and Queensland. Farmed Murray cod is a premium product in domestic markets and small quantities are being sold in markets overseas. In north western Victoria the industry is centred around existing horticulture enterprises and aims to add value to large water holdings by applying multiple use to this precious resource. Culture of Murray cod in agricultural dams has enormous potential.
Pathogens affecting Murray cod and silver perch have been previously documented (see attached). However the incidence of disease outbreaks relative to major events in the fish life cycle and horticultural water supply practices in integrated farming systems has not been addressed. Farmers without easy access to pathology services and veterinary professionals need to develop skills in basic gross pathology and interpretation of wet preparations. This project aims to equip isolated farmers with these skills and also to document temporally when major disease outbreaks are likely to occur, what the most likely cause is and how the effect of these events can be mitigated.
Further development of fish culture in horticultural enterprises requires some capacity to advise prospective farmers of the capital costs, suitability of their water holding and other features that would affect potential profitability. Combined with data from other work it is planned that a model will be developed that can guide farmer decision making on the feasibility of embarking upon aquaculture within their horticultural enterprise.
This project relates to R&D plans 7.2.2, 7.2.4, 7.2.5 and 7.2.6. There are elements of disease control and mitigation, best practice plan development and training across the 3 parts of the proposal. Objectives: 1. Determine risk factors and prevalence of diseases resulting in reduced production on inland integrated aquaculture farms. 2. Develop fish health and biosecurity better management practices (BMP) for inland integrated aquaculture industries Read moreRead less
Rock Lobster Post Harvest Subprogram: Facilitation, Administration And Promotion
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$211,781.00
Summary
There is a need to increase the percentage of rock lobsters arriving at the factory in a condition suitable for live export. This then provides industry with a greater choice in selling live or in some other form, according to market demand and prices. It is also now clear that by increasing the number suitable for export it provides lobsters with higher flesh recovery rates and hence increased profit levels.
A further development that has occurred in recent years is long term holdin ....There is a need to increase the percentage of rock lobsters arriving at the factory in a condition suitable for live export. This then provides industry with a greater choice in selling live or in some other form, according to market demand and prices. It is also now clear that by increasing the number suitable for export it provides lobsters with higher flesh recovery rates and hence increased profit levels.
A further development that has occurred in recent years is long term holding of the lobsters, prior to sale. Various lengths of time are involved from weeks to months in seeking the best price in the market or possibly changing the size of the lobsters to the best size/price for the market. Clearly a knowledge of the causes of stress and their eleviation is important as the lobsters held for these periods may no longer be in the best condition for export.
Other areas of concern to industry with post-harvest lobsters have also been identified. The major one is leg loss, which can occur both at time of capture, in holding tanks, or even during packing for export. It renders the lobsters unsuitable for live export and is a major loss of revenue to the industry. Other industry problems with post-harvest rock lobster will be discussed with industry and prioritised by the Steering Committee.
During the last three years considerable progress has been made in understanding the physiology of stress and the effests that post-harvest handling has on lobsters. This has not lead to instantaneous, straight forward, solutions. However, it has clarified the scientific problems which need to be solved, and when the final reports are received during the latter half of 2000, will lead to improvements to the Code of Conduct for handling lobsters after capture and during transport.
The three new projects supported by the Subprogram have arisen from preliminary discussion of the results of recent research conducted under this Subprogram, and are aimed at building on this research output.
Other areas of research in the Post-harvest area still need to be addressed. At the International Lobster Congress in Adelaide in 1999, an Industry speaker produced a list of 9 areas of Industry need in the Post-Harvest area. These included Best-practise Storage Techniques, reductions in leg loss, moult cycle and relationship to survivability in tanks, transport, investigation of "problem Periods' to determine causes of problems. These were all western rock lobster problems and we have yet to properly examine the Industry problems in the southern rock lobster. This will be a major focus of the new Subprogram. The conslusions will then be built into the Strategic Plan for the Subprogram.
There is some degree of overlap (at least in areas of interest) between this subprogram and the Enhancement and Aquaculture subprogram. In order to prevent duplication and to ensure maximum use of staff and facilities the two subprogram leaders will be members of each others Steering Committee. Objectives: 1. Coordinate the FRDC Rock Lobster Post-Harvest Subprogram 2. Conduct an annual research workshop to present outcomes from the subprogram and to define research objectives for subsequent years 3. Facilitate travel of the subprogram project principal investigators, industry representatives and subprogram leader to biannual scientific committee meetings 4. Facilitate travel of industry representatives, subprogram leader of the Enhancement and Aquaculture Subprogram, and subprogram leader to biannual steering committee meetings 5. Coordinate the preparation of subprogram media releases and workshop publications 6. Integrate with other FRDC funded rock lobster research programs including the FRDC Enhancement and Aquaculture Subprogram 7. Coordinate the preparation and distribution of a biannual subprogram newsletter 8. Develop and maintain a strategic plan for post- harvest rock lobster reaearch. 9. Develop a strategic plan for the Subprogram Read moreRead less
Seafood CRC: Controlling Biofouling Of Pond Aerators On Marine Prawn Farms
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$42,600.00
Summary
Biofouling of aeration equipment is a significant farm management issue and production cost for Australian marine prawn farms. Defouling aeration equipment has a high labour demand and once fouled the energy efficiency of paddle-wheels and other aerating equipment can be markedly reduced, leading to elevated electricity costs and shorter equipment life. The estimated cost of biofouling is a minimum of $1,000 per hectare per crop when considering the additional labour, maintenance and electrici ....Biofouling of aeration equipment is a significant farm management issue and production cost for Australian marine prawn farms. Defouling aeration equipment has a high labour demand and once fouled the energy efficiency of paddle-wheels and other aerating equipment can be markedly reduced, leading to elevated electricity costs and shorter equipment life. The estimated cost of biofouling is a minimum of $1,000 per hectare per crop when considering the additional labour, maintenance and electricity costs that it creates. This cost figure however does not include the impact of aerator fouling on prawn production levels which potentially could be far greater. The industry uses up to 10x aerators per hectare and they consume 70-80% of total farm energy use. It is estimated that at the peak of the production season around 6,000 2hp aerators are in use in ponds across the prawn industry alone.
Ensuring appropriate and timely aerator defouling is conducted is a significant farm issue. Manual defouling is one of the least desired tasks on the farms as it is dirty, laborious and workers are susceptible to multiple skin cuts that are prone to infection. Consequently it can be difficult to maintain staff to undertake this task for any length of time. There is no data available on the impact of biofouling on the aeration efficiency, for example the oxygen transfer rate, and this information is critical to maximising benefit from mitigation strategies from both a practical and economic stand point.
The relevant industry body, the APFA through the R&D Committee, has assessed prevention of aerator biofouling as a priority issue and has recommended that the project commence as close as possible to the start of the current production season.
The proposed project falls within the Seafood CRC Theme – ‘Aquaculture Innovation’ as the objective is to improve production efficiency.
Objectives: 1. Review biofouling control options and select those with greatest potential for application on prawn farms. 2. Assess the impact of aerator biofouling on prawn farms. 3. Transfer methods for implementing aerator biofouling controls to the prawn farming industry. 4. Evaluate selected biofouling control options under commercial conditions. Read moreRead less
Development Of Technical And Extension Material To Support Murray Cod Aquaculture Industry Expansion In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
The 5 July 2017 meeting of representatives from the various States involved in the Murray Cod industry agreed to three key R&D priorities to support expansion of the Murray Cod industry in Australia. They included:
1. Development of a farm management plan/manual to: provide advice on optimising production systems and water quality; review and update of existing Murray Cod culture guidelines using recent relevant publications and input from commercial operators; and identify any informa ....The 5 July 2017 meeting of representatives from the various States involved in the Murray Cod industry agreed to three key R&D priorities to support expansion of the Murray Cod industry in Australia. They included:
1. Development of a farm management plan/manual to: provide advice on optimising production systems and water quality; review and update of existing Murray Cod culture guidelines using recent relevant publications and input from commercial operators; and identify any information gaps 2. Off Flavour. Review of recent publications/work from other sectors (eg Barramundi) to prevent off flavor in Murray Cod. Murray Cod quality product assurance; and 3. Fish health and treatment (parasites, bacterial infection, Lurnea, Chilodonella, ratty tail). Review and update information on treatment options (chronic/prophylactic) for Murray Cod. Murray Cod health management strategy
This project proposal aims to address these high R&D industry priorities by developing a range of technical and extension material.
The Murray Cod industry is developing rapidly in Australia increasing from 250t 2014/15 to over 500t 2016/17. Industry forecast several thousand tonnes production by 2020 with many new farms seeking approval and new franchise business models moving forward. To capitalise on this expansion, there is a pressing need to improve extension resources.
Objectives: 1. Development of best practice production guidelines for Murray Cod aquaculture, to be used nationally 2. Extension to industry, and new investors, of the best practice production guidelines Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Cobia And Giant Groper Production And Health In Multiple Growout Systems, As An Alternative Species To Farm In WSSV Affected Areas Of South East Queensland
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
The production and health performance of emerging aquaculture species, cobia and giant grouper, in former prawn farm pond and tank infrastructure is not well documented. The development of these alternative species offers flexibility and new production opportunities to WSSV affected farms in SE Queensland, and elsewhere in Australia to expand aquaculture production more generally.
Fish health problems are a common cause of aquaculture business failure. In prior pilot trials, significant ....The production and health performance of emerging aquaculture species, cobia and giant grouper, in former prawn farm pond and tank infrastructure is not well documented. The development of these alternative species offers flexibility and new production opportunities to WSSV affected farms in SE Queensland, and elsewhere in Australia to expand aquaculture production more generally.
Fish health problems are a common cause of aquaculture business failure. In prior pilot trials, significant health challenges were encountered that require thorough veterinary investigation and intervention. The information learnt from investigations can then form components of a health management plan for the culture of these two species in SE Queensland, in various systems. The description of health challenges through veterinary outbreak investigation allows the development and costing of interventions to prevent or treat the issue. Over the 12 month time frame of this project, surveillance strategies can be developed for early detection of disease. Such health management strategies facilitate early response actions that can minimise losses associated with infectious disease.
One metric which influences the viability of aquaculture systems is the density at which a species can be farmed. This is particularly the case in RAS, where the infrastructure capital costs are high. This project will document the impacts of stocking density on health and production in RAS, cages and ponds.
Another element that strongly influences viability of aquaculture enterprises is the growth rates of stock that are able to be achieved. Generating data from systems farmed at commercial densities can assist in determining the suitability of various sites for expansion of farming these species in Australia.
Objectives: 1. Generate data on the production and health performance of Giant Grouper and Cobia in RAS, cages in a saline lake and in outdoor pond growout systems. 2. Field test production outcomes from an experimental recombinant autogenous vaccine for prevention of nodavirus in the Giant Grouper. 3. Assess market potential for various formats of cobia and grouper Read moreRead less