Exploring The Occurrence And Potential Associated Risk Factors For Pilchard Orthomyxovirus (POMV) In Tasmanian Farmed Atlantic Salmon
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$209,295.62
Summary
Following basic epidemiology principles, no infectious disease occurs ‘randomly’ and its occurrence follow logical and predictable patterns. The presence of an infectious agent is unlikely sufficient to explain these patterns and most aquatic diseases result from the complex interaction between the agent, the host and its environment. Therefore, the targeted outcome for a POMV control plan is threefold: 1. Decrease transmission between infected and susceptible fish groups – this requires ide ....Following basic epidemiology principles, no infectious disease occurs ‘randomly’ and its occurrence follow logical and predictable patterns. The presence of an infectious agent is unlikely sufficient to explain these patterns and most aquatic diseases result from the complex interaction between the agent, the host and its environment. Therefore, the targeted outcome for a POMV control plan is threefold: 1. Decrease transmission between infected and susceptible fish groups – this requires identifying risk factors associated with the introduction, spread, and maintenance of the pathogen within the industry; 2. Decrease the number of susceptible fish – this mainly requires identifying risk factors associated with the susceptibility of the host (e.g. husbandry-related stress) and the development of a safe and effective prophylaxis; 3. Decrease the amount of virus in the environment - this requires detecting infected fish cage(s) early to implement timely control strategies. Diagnostic capacity to confirmed POMV outbreak has been developed and is currently used in routine by the industry. A vaccine against POMV is currently under development at the Tasmanian Aquatic Animal Health and Vaccines Centre of Excellence and will be available in the future. However, little is known about risk factors specific to POMV and about its full economic impact. We define as a ‘risk factor’ any attribute of the agent, the host or its environment that increases the risk and intensity of a disease outbreak. Most of the environmental risk factors (including farming practices) facilitate the introduction, transmission, or maintenance of the pathogen; while the host risk factors affect the susceptibility of the host and its capacity to become diseased. Like the closely related ISAv, the magnitude and occurrence of POMV outbreaks appeared to be highly variable. This supports the existence of additional factors other than the POMV infection that contribute to the intensity of an outbreak. It is anticipated that by identifying and intervening on some of the manageable risk factors, the frequency and the severity of POMV outbreaks can be reduced. Objectives: 1. Describe the occurrence of POMV outbreaks in the Tasmanian salmon industry 2. Quantify the direct financial impact of POMV mortality to the Tasmanian salmon industry 3. Identify potential management, environmental and stock risk factors directly or indirectly increasing the risk and intensity of a POMV outbreaks Read moreRead less
Viral Endemiology Of Selected Australian Commercial Fish Species And Their Susceptibility To Viral Diseases
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Expand the Australian viral endemiology testing facility to include certified continuous cell lines derived from commercially important Australian fish species, 2. enabling the viral endemiology and susceptibility of these fish to be studied
Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram: Molecular Genetic Tools For The Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon Industry – Development And Application
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$461,796.00
Summary
The efficiency and effectiveness of selective breeding programs can be greatly enhanced through the use of DNA technology. The application of such technology will be used for pedigree information and identification of markers for economic traits leading to marker-assisted selection. Although various international laboratories and CSIRO have developed a bank of molecular markers for Atlantic salmon, the potential of these and other nuclear DNA markers such as AFLPs need evaluating.
Throu ....The efficiency and effectiveness of selective breeding programs can be greatly enhanced through the use of DNA technology. The application of such technology will be used for pedigree information and identification of markers for economic traits leading to marker-assisted selection. Although various international laboratories and CSIRO have developed a bank of molecular markers for Atlantic salmon, the potential of these and other nuclear DNA markers such as AFLPs need evaluating.
Through this project we would be able to formally collaborate on an international mapping project for salmonids. This would give the local industry access to far more markers and genetic information than would be possible if we worked in isolation.
The extent of genetic variation within the Tasmanian population with respect to overseas endemic populations remains unclear. In time it may be considered advantageous to import new genetic material to enhance various characteristics of the local population. However, at present that is unlikely and the genetic status of the population, and of the effectiveness of breeding protocols, needs to be better understood. Significant progress was made with this and the search for sex differences (project 96/347), but funding is required to further the research. Objectives: 1. To further develop and apply molecular markers for use in industry breeding programs. 2. To genotype selected broodstock with a suite of microsatellite markers to enable efficient pedigree analysis of progeny. 3. To compare microsatellite DNA variation from archival scale samples from the progenitor Canadian population with past and current cohorts of the Tasmanian population. Read moreRead less
SCRC: Seafood CRC: A Review Of Predictive And Rapid Diagnostic Technologies Relevant To The Australian Seafood Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
AS an input to Business Plan development by the Australian Seafood CRC for the Product Quality and Integrity Research Program, conduct a review of predictive and rapid diagnostic technologies relevant to the Australian Seafood Industry
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Development Of Improved Molecular Diagnostic Tests For Perkinsus Olseni In Australian Molluscs
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$305,561.00
Summary
Improved diagnostic methods for endemic and exotic pathogens of aquatic animals have been identified as a Key Research Area in the 2009-12 FRDC AAHS R&D plan (6.2.3 Endemic and exotic aquatic animal disease diagnostics).
Since Perkinsus olseni was first described in Australian abalone by Lester and Davies in 1981, histology and culture in Ray’s medium have been the most commonly applied diagnostic procedures for detection of Perkinsus sp.. Although these tests are relatively straight f ....Improved diagnostic methods for endemic and exotic pathogens of aquatic animals have been identified as a Key Research Area in the 2009-12 FRDC AAHS R&D plan (6.2.3 Endemic and exotic aquatic animal disease diagnostics).
Since Perkinsus olseni was first described in Australian abalone by Lester and Davies in 1981, histology and culture in Ray’s medium have been the most commonly applied diagnostic procedures for detection of Perkinsus sp.. Although these tests are relatively straight forward and practical, they are general in nature and neither identifies or differentiates specific species of Perkinsus. Despite a well developed framework for the molecular characterization of Perkinsus and modern PCR based molecular tests for some of the more commercially important Perkinsus species, these have rarely been applied in Australia. The first attempts to apply molecular methods to a small number (n=40) of Perkinsus infected abalone from disease outbreaks in NSW have already revealed a new variant which probably represents a new previously unrecognized species in Australia (Reece et al. 2010). This fact and the apparent variation in pathogenicity observed with Perkinsus in different areas, has raised several questions about which Perkinsus sp. are present in commercial mollusc populations.
Given that a significant depletion of blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) stocks in NSW over the last 20 years has been attributed to infection with Perkinsus (FRDC Project 2004/084) and localized areas of infection occur in a number of Australian states, from South Australia to northern Western Australia, the development and implementation of highly sensitive and rapid PCR based molecular methods to identify specific species of Perkinsus is essential. The development and application of such tests is necessarily underpinned by a detailed understanding of the molecular makeup of Perkinsus in these populations which is the subject of this application.
Objectives: 1. Undertake a targeted molecular, histological and cultural examination of known Perkinsus infected wild abalone populations from NSW, SA and WA to compare existing methods of detection. 2. Establish representative axenic (single species) cultures of Perkinsus sp. from infected abalone. 3. Use established PCRs and DNA sequencing methods to confirm the presence of P. olseni and determine the genetic diversity, including other Perkinsus sp. from these populations. 4. Develop and validate qPCR methods for the detection and identification of P. olseni in infected abalone. 5. Compare and evaluate the performance of the Objective 4 qPCR with existing conventional PCR methods for detection of P. olseni. Read moreRead less
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Development Of Diagnostic And Reference Reagents For Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus Of Finfish
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$140,124.00
Summary
Relationship to R&D plans and strategies In the May 2000 Budget, the Federal Government announced its Building a National Approach to Animal and Plant Health program to maintain Australia’s status as a source of high quality agricultural produce with work on aquatic animal health to be funded via AFFA through the FRDC Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram. Following stakeholder consultations, seven projects focusing on the development of improved diagnostic methods for diseases of fish, crustacea ....Relationship to R&D plans and strategies In the May 2000 Budget, the Federal Government announced its Building a National Approach to Animal and Plant Health program to maintain Australia’s status as a source of high quality agricultural produce with work on aquatic animal health to be funded via AFFA through the FRDC Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram. Following stakeholder consultations, seven projects focusing on the development of improved diagnostic methods for diseases of fish, crustaceans and molluscs were funded under this Subprogram. The Subprogram recently requested advice from aquatic animal health specialists in Australia on priority suggestions for the remaining uncommitted funds. The ‘Maintenance of reagent stocks for diagnosis of important diseases e.g. EHN’ was identified by this forum as one of a number of high priority issues and subsequently forwarded to the Subprogram. The Subprogram’s Steering Committee and Scientific Advisory Committee supported this and other suggestions because of their national significance. This application is made in response to this need.
Pragmatic need The International Reference Laboratory for EHNV provides research and diagnostic referral services to fish health laboratories in Australia and other countries. Reagents have been supplied upon request for more than 10 years. Research on protocols for improved viral detection and differentiation from related viruses is ongoing, and has been published in high quality journals. These protocols are supplied, together with reference reagents, to any diagnostic laboratory upon request. As many of these original antibody reagents were prepared in 1989-1992, they are deemed likely to be near the end of their shelf life, or stocks of quality-controlled batches are almost exhausted. Furthermore, new protocols have recently been developed using modern tools of molecular biology (Marsh et al 2002 rapid differentiation of Australian, European and American ranaviruses based on variation in major capsid protein gene sequence. Mol.Cell. Probes 16:137-151). For routine use these require development of new reagents, for example standardized DNA solutions.
This project is an operation to replenish stocks of reagents for existing tests and to create stocks for the more newly developed tests and as such is a one-off request. In future we aim to meet costs by charging for supply of reagents, something that OIE Fish Diseases Commission has agreed may be necessary to support reference laboratory activities. Stocks of antibody reagents produced in this project are likely to be viable and sufficient for 15 years assuming freeze drying is successful and current levels of demand, but this will also be dependent on future demand, which is not easily predicted.
Objectives: 1. To provide quality-controlled antibody reagents and protocols to detect EHNV 2. To provide quality controlled DNA reagents and protocols to differentiate EHNV from related viruses including BIV 3. To provide stocks of reference-strain EHNV and fish tissues containing reference-strain EHNV as controls for diagnostic testing 4. To develop and assess new storage conditions, guidelines for reconsitution and shelf life for antibody and DNA reagents Read moreRead less
People Development Program: Aquatic Animal Health Training Scheme - Workshop On Aquatic Animal Disease Surveillance
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$21,513.00
Summary
The first veterinary medicine program in South Australia was recently developed at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (SAVS), The University of Adelaide. An objective of the school is to foster strong diagnostics, research and training opportunities in aquatic health to support the local and national aquaculture industry. As such, a fully equipped veterinary diagnostic laboratory and a state of the art Marine Biosecurity facility are being completed. A cross-disciplinary team of 1 .... The first veterinary medicine program in South Australia was recently developed at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (SAVS), The University of Adelaide. An objective of the school is to foster strong diagnostics, research and training opportunities in aquatic health to support the local and national aquaculture industry. As such, a fully equipped veterinary diagnostic laboratory and a state of the art Marine Biosecurity facility are being completed. A cross-disciplinary team of 10 veterinary academics including diagnostic, pathology, immunology and production experts comprise the Aquatic Special Interest Group (AquaSIG) at SAVS. As those with the capacity to support the industry, AquaSIG members and local industry/government alike will benefit from further training opportunities in aquatic disease surveillance. AquaSIG members, field veterinarians, government scientists and aquaculturist all identified epidemiological concepts and practices to sample and measure disease in large aquatic populations as priorities. Proper surveillance methodology is paramount to the prevention and control of aquatic diseases. A 3-day workshop on aquaculture epidemiology is offered sporadically by the University of Tasmania. Sending a suitable number of SA representatives to this course would be cost prohibitive. The organisation of a workshop locally would be cost-effective and would reach a larger audience beyond AquaSIG including: Biosecurity SA veterinarians (responsible for regulatory aquatic disease surveillance); graduate students and research colleagues from SARDI and other local universities; and high-level industry managers. The South Australia community responsible for aquatic health would therefore benefit and support the organisation of a workshop tailored to the region’s specific needs. Objectives: 1. Improve the skills and knowledge of the South Australian aquatic health community to implement proper surveillance programs for aquatic animal diseases 2. Organise a workshop, not offered before in SA, in aquatic disease surveillance involving international, national and local experts for 20-25 participants 3. Provide participants with expert consultants for the design, development or review of their own surveillance needs 4. Encourage sharing and networking among participants and instructors involved in the surveillance of aquatic diseases locally and globally 5. Initiate ongoing training activities and working groups on aquatic animal health in South Australia Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. Identify diseases, parasites and other organisms associated with the introduction of oysters into Australia from Japan and other possible sources. 2. Study diseases and parasites in indigenous oyster populations
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Intensive Pathology Training Workshop For Laboratory Diagnosticians.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$9,900.00
Summary
The regional veterinary laboratory at EMAI (RVL Menangle) has in the last 2 months employed four full time trainee veterinary pathologists from Consolidated Revenue - thus, a long term committment to state based diagnostics has been made. Additionally, I have been employed in a full time capacity as diagnostic pathologist and laboratory leader. Our status with regards to terrestrial animal diagnostics is excellent, and we have some significant depth. My concern is that as our aquatic diagnostic ....The regional veterinary laboratory at EMAI (RVL Menangle) has in the last 2 months employed four full time trainee veterinary pathologists from Consolidated Revenue - thus, a long term committment to state based diagnostics has been made. Additionally, I have been employed in a full time capacity as diagnostic pathologist and laboratory leader. Our status with regards to terrestrial animal diagnostics is excellent, and we have some significant depth. My concern is that as our aquatic diagnostic load begins to increase, our trainees will lack the depth of knowlege required to advise industry.
Dr Judith Handlinger is willing to spend one week with the four trainees, specifically teaching finfish, crustacean and bivalve pathology and diagnostics. In return, I will spend one week in the DPI Tasmania lab giving a course to their four new pathologists on general pathological principles.
This modest project would expose a new generation of diagnosticians to a soon to be retired world expert, and foster increased collegial relationships between two laboratories that have a significant role to play in the Australia Aquatic industries. Objectives: 1. Increased knowledge of basic aquatic physiology and immunology 2. Increased knowledge of common aquatic pathological responses 3. In depth gross examination of the diseased specimen 4. Histological diagnosis of common disease affecting Australian aquaculture species 5. General diagnostics and warning signs regarding exotic aquaculture diseases 6. Professional networking amongst two significant aquaculture diagnostic centers. Read moreRead less
Evaluating Effective Quality Monitoring Methods For The Australian Seafood Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$274,995.00
Summary
The need for effective control and monitoring of safety and quality is obvious following the crisis of confidence caused by the recent viral outbreak which sent shockwaves throughout the seafood industry. Test kits allow industry to control the QA process rather than just follow the recommendations of consultants. They also allow industry to decide the type of processing required and the end use of the products being produced. One example is if a processor can determine the amount of bacteria ....The need for effective control and monitoring of safety and quality is obvious following the crisis of confidence caused by the recent viral outbreak which sent shockwaves throughout the seafood industry. Test kits allow industry to control the QA process rather than just follow the recommendations of consultants. They also allow industry to decide the type of processing required and the end use of the products being produced. One example is if a processor can determine the amount of bacteria present on seafood and the storage conditions it has been exposed to when delivered by fishers then they can estimate the length of shelf life that the seafood after processing will attain. This information will also indicate what types of product can be produced. It is a waste of time producing seafood at the limit of an importing country's standards if there is going to be further handling before the consumer purchases it. The Australian processor's target should be mush higher than this.
The new statutory requirements for food safety plans and the increasing adoption of formal quality management systems, necessitate the development of quality measures that are relevant and quantifiable.
For industry to implement QA programmes, there is an essential need for tools by which to monitor the systems. Rapid test kits provide these tools, but are they appropriate and effective for the Australian seafood processing environment? This knowledge is crucial to successful adoption of AQ programme initiatives.
There is a special need for this information by existing small and medium sized seafood enterprises, as well as new players entering the market, who do not have the resources not time to assess available methods themselves. Information providers such as AUSEAS can only provide lists of test kits that may be available but they have no funds to ascertain which ones work reliably under Australian conditions. They have stated that they will not recommend anything they have not tested yet this is what industry really wants. Promotional material accompanying test kits usually does not warn of any limitations.
Three areas of need for objective analysis are identified.
Product specification As QA becomes more widespread, there is a need to specify and quantify the quality parameters so they can be included in product specifications associated with contracts. Those parameters may be Physical (eg size grades), Chemical (eg K values), Bacterial (eg TPC's), or Sensory (eg Demerit scores).
HACCP and Food Safety Plans To monitor the effectiveness of a QA program such as proposed by SeaQual and SQMI, an objective, reliable measure of quality is needed. There are few universal measurements of quality and many tests require laboratory facilities. A number of rapid test kits have been developed which reduce delays in obtaining essential information required for processing strategies. Not all kits available are effective or suitable. This investigator has appraised some test kits intended for identifying the presence of sulphite on prawns and found them to be very inaccurate. An assessment of test kits in the Australian seafood processing environment is essential to establish their suitability.
Disputes and Loss Assessment At the Centre officers are sometimes employed by loss assessors to report on the condition of suspect seafood in the distribution chain. We use a combination of bacterial, chemical and sensory techniques. The use of test kits within the processing sector would clarify many of these disputes. Objectives: 1. Benchmark existing test kits for quality assessment for Australian Seafood species. 2. Assess the effectiveness of different techniques for measuring quality in the Australian processing environment. 3. Document measures of fish and prawn quality which can be assessed by test kits within the processing environment. 4. Disseminate the information obtained to industry in the form of workshops, printed materials and electronic format. Read moreRead less