Testing Fish Freshness With A GR International Fish Freshness Meter (Torrymeter)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Correlate Torrymeter readings and sensory evaluation scores on selected fish species, over a 15-day period, ; 2. to determine the rejection level for each of the species studied 3. document spoilage patterns by written and photographic records
Establishment Of The Seafood Services Australia Stage 1 - Seafood Quality Management And Seafood Safety (SeaQual Australia)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,519,007.62
Summary
Like many of Australia's primary industries the seafood industry needs to adjust constantly to changing consumer preferences and expectations and changing market conditions. The seafood industry also has to contend with changes in the availability of the resource.
Industry and governments throughout Australia recognise the need to support the continued growth of an internationally competitive sustainable seafood industry in Australia. This need has resulted in a significant increase ....Like many of Australia's primary industries the seafood industry needs to adjust constantly to changing consumer preferences and expectations and changing market conditions. The seafood industry also has to contend with changes in the availability of the resource.
Industry and governments throughout Australia recognise the need to support the continued growth of an internationally competitive sustainable seafood industry in Australia. This need has resulted in a significant increase in the pace and scope of regulatory reform and policy changes (environmental management, food safety, occupational health and safety, training, marketing etc). Thus the operating environment is in a state of constant change as it moves towards one of increased industry self regulation and responsibility.
There are significant challenges in achieving sustainable industry development - one of the most pressing is the need to drive a cultural change which results in an industry following world's best practice in management and operations ensuring that there is maximum return for the resource.
Consumers and therefore governments are increasingly demanding assurance that the food they eat is safe. Regulatory reform in this area is being driven by the Australia New Zealand Food Authority in the development and implementation of the proposed National Food Safety Code. Victoria has already passed their legislation and other States have drafted legislation ready for consideration by their governments.
The international trade environment is also changing rapidly with increased scope for implementation of non tariff barriers to exports - typically relating to food quality and environmental management. The economic crisis in Asia has already negatively affected the levels of Australian seafood exports, a trend which is expected to continue unless there is an increased focus on identifying and meeting the needs of the marketplace.
Developing seafood industry standards (accepted nationally and internationally) incorporating food safety, quality and environmental management elements provides a significant opportunity to ensure change occurs to meet these challenges.
With the operating environment changing so rapidly there is an increasing need for the development and adoption of seafood industry standards (accepted nationally and internationally) incorporating food safety, quality and environmental management elements. The standards development process provides a significant opportunity to ensure that the cultural change required to achieve the vision for the industry will occur.
The capabilities that are proposed to be brought under an "Australian Seafood Centre" (ASC) would provide the impetus to develop and manage the adoption of such standards and would provide coordinated products and services to all stakeholders.. With many industry development initiatives existing at State and National level there are significant opportunities for achieving a bigger and faster impact through better networking and integration. The ASC would provide a focus for post harvest initiatives, creating critical mass for achieving significant outcomes to benefit all stakeholders (government and industry).
The recently released SeaQual strategic plan "The Seafood industry's Strategic Plan for Achieving Seafood Excellence" identifies five key goals and a number of strategies for achieving them. The plan identifies the roles and responsibilities of industry and government stakeholders and recognises that success will depend on commitment from all stakeholders including the allocation of appropriate resources.
At the recent workshop held in Queensland, all States identified the need for work to be done in relation to seafood safety and quality, particularly in the development of agreed and accredited industry guidelines and in the eventual development of agreed industry standards. It was agreed that SeaQual Australia could provide immediate benefits to all States by providing key linkages with agencies with responsibility for food regulation and by networking the State based SeaQual operations.
The proposed development of an “Australian Seafood Centre” initially with seafood safety and quality management capabilities – SeaQual Australia is a major and complex project which will need both a strategic and an operational focus. It will meet the need to manage and review the implementation of the Strategic Plan while achieving the synergies and consequent cost efficiencies through the provision of a “single window” to the seafood industry on food safety and quality issues. It will ultimately do the same for all post harvest activities. Objectives: 1. Establish SeaQual Australia (SeaQual Mark 2) and State SeaQuals in each State and the Northern Territory 2. Implement the Seafood Industry's Strategic Plan for Achieving Seafood Excellence" (SISPASE) with a high priority on Food Safety and Quality Management 3. Establish the Australian Seafood Centre: delivery of cost effective, competitively priced seafood post harvest services through the integration of new and existing services (including SeaQual Australia) under one centre Read moreRead less
Development Of Molecular Detection Methods For Myxosporean Parasites Infecting Yellowtail Kingfish And Mahi Mahi
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$393,002.00
Summary
Soft flesh due to infection with myxosporean parasites irreversibly reduces the quality and market value of fish. Due to the delayed onset of the condition, infected fish can reach the consumer before soft flesh is detected, causing wastage, economic losses to affected fishers, and loss of consumer confidence.
Rapid onsite detection of myxosporean infection is vital to maximise value of landed fish, minimise environmental impacts associated with animal protein wastage, and increase prod ....Soft flesh due to infection with myxosporean parasites irreversibly reduces the quality and market value of fish. Due to the delayed onset of the condition, infected fish can reach the consumer before soft flesh is detected, causing wastage, economic losses to affected fishers, and loss of consumer confidence.
Rapid onsite detection of myxosporean infection is vital to maximise value of landed fish, minimise environmental impacts associated with animal protein wastage, and increase productivity for NSW commercial fishers, NSW fishers cooperatives and relevant fish markets.
This project focuses on outcome 2 of FRDC’s R&D plan – best practices and production systems. Fast and accurate detection of pathogens help industry identify risks faster and make informed decisions to refine and optimise best practices and production systems. There will be several benefits and impacts on society, environment, and the economy, including:
Society - fisheries productivity affects livelihoods of people working in the industry and its associated sectors - healthy and sustainable food resources Environment - reduce wastage Economic - increasing productivity through higher yields and higher market value - enhancing food/protein production improves food security and creates more employment opportunities Objectives: 1. To develop and evaluate PCR-based diagnostic tools for quantitative detection of myxosporeans in Mahi Mahi and Yellowtail Kingfish 2. To develop and evaluate in situ diagnostic tools for quantitative detection of myxosporeans in Mahi Mahi and Yellowtail Kingfish Read moreRead less
An Investigation Into The Shelf Life Of Two Marinated Octopus Products
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. To evaluate the current processing methods as supplied by Tasmanian octopus products 2. To evaluate the shelf life of the follwing products: pickled octopus, bbq marinated octopus and chilled vacuumed packed octopus
Studies On The Physiological Responses Of Wrasse Pseudolabrus Tetricus, And The Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Meuscheria Hippocrepis, To Capture And Transport
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$33,740.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Determiniation of holding tank requirements to maintain both blue-throated warsse and horseshoe leatherjackets on capture (i.e. correct stocking levels and flow rates) 2. Elucidation of an acceptable acclimation procedure for survival at low temperatures for both species 3. Determination of the incipient lethal temperature for transportation (i.e. the lowest temperature beyond which species cannot live for an indefinite period. 4. Determination of the effects ....Objectives: 1. Determiniation of holding tank requirements to maintain both blue-throated warsse and horseshoe leatherjackets on capture (i.e. correct stocking levels and flow rates) 2. Elucidation of an acceptable acclimation procedure for survival at low temperatures for both species 3. Determination of the incipient lethal temperature for transportation (i.e. the lowest temperature beyond which species cannot live for an indefinite period. 4. Determination of the effects of lactate and hypercapnia on comatose animals. Read moreRead less
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