Developing key vision technology for automation of aquaculture factory. This project aims to investigate structural, coloured textural, and hyperspectral analysis approaches to achieve automated lobster molt-cycle staging and classification to the level required for commercial production. High labour cost, water contamination, and disease transmission are major barriers in Australian bay lobster aquaculture inhibiting its large scale production. Automation of the production process and reducing ....Developing key vision technology for automation of aquaculture factory. This project aims to investigate structural, coloured textural, and hyperspectral analysis approaches to achieve automated lobster molt-cycle staging and classification to the level required for commercial production. High labour cost, water contamination, and disease transmission are major barriers in Australian bay lobster aquaculture inhibiting its large scale production. Automation of the production process and reducing the human contact with animals are of high priority in the development of this Australian-led emerging industry. The project aims to develop technology to bring this world- first aquaculture factory to large scale production, and create new export opportunities for lobsters and production systems.Read moreRead less
Understanding Drivers Of Jellyfish Blooms In The Hawkesbury Estuary
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$196,722.00
Summary
Jellyfish blooms disrupt commercial fisheries around the world and blooms are increasing in frequency and magnitude in some regions (Condon, Pitt et al. 2013). Although the causes of jellyfish blooms are debated, they are frequently linked to anthropogenic pressures, including eutrophication, expansion of coastal infrastructure, and climate change (Pitt et al. 2018). The current jellyfish bloom in the Hawkesbury estuary is more extensive, persistent, and disruptive than previous blooms and .... Jellyfish blooms disrupt commercial fisheries around the world and blooms are increasing in frequency and magnitude in some regions (Condon, Pitt et al. 2013). Although the causes of jellyfish blooms are debated, they are frequently linked to anthropogenic pressures, including eutrophication, expansion of coastal infrastructure, and climate change (Pitt et al. 2018). The current jellyfish bloom in the Hawkesbury estuary is more extensive, persistent, and disruptive than previous blooms and may represent a long-term and sustained change to fishing conditions in the estuary. Some fishers have said they will leave the industry if blooms persist, hence this project is needed to reduce interactions between jellyfish and commercial net fishers and ensure the on-going viability of commercial net fisheries in the Hawkesbury.
The project specifically addresses the FRDC priority call for "Understanding the drivers of jellyfish blooms in the Hawkesbury". We will review the scientific literature and analyse existing data sets on water quality and jellyfish to identify probable environmental drivers of jellyfish blooms in the Hawkesbury estuary, which will enable estuary managers to prioritise which environmental conditions to manage to reduce jellyfish blooms. We will search for novel technical solutions (such as modifying fishing times or locations) that could reduce by-catch of jellyfish, assess potential ways to actively manage jellyfish (through their extraction or biological control), and co-design a long-term jellyfish monitoring program based on world best-practice with estuary managers and fishers to initiate the long-term collection of jellyfish data by stakeholders, which is essential for understanding jellyfish population dynamics and developing predictive models for jellyfish.
The drivers of jellyfish blooms in the Hawkesbury estuary may be linked to recent major floods. Floods are predicted to become more extreme and frequent under climate change. Hence our proposal aligns with FRDC's strategic investment opportunity for improving resilience of fishing in a changing climate. By providing information critical for managing jellyfish populations, our project also meets FRDC's F&D Plan Outcome 1 to "expand environmental management to cover areas other than stock status of target species". Through recruitment, mentoring and career development of a research fellow, our project builds capacity and capability of Australia's fisheries research and development sector (FRDC Enabling strategy IV).
Objectives: 1. Review the environmental drivers of jellyfish blooms, methods used by commercial fishers to manage interactions with jellyfish and methods that could be used to control jellyfish populations. 2. Collate and analyse existing data sets on water quality and jellyfish to identify potential drivers of jellyfish populations 3. Review jellyfish monitoring programs and co-design with stakeholders a fit-for-purpose and on-going jellyfish monitoring program for the Hawkesbury estuary 4. Engage stakeholders to locate relevant data sets and disseminate findings to end-users and beneficiaries 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
Constraint-based Reasoning for Multi-agent Pathfinding. Automation is a transformative technology for logistics -- using robots to manipulate inventory allows warehouses to be more efficient, and larger-scale, than ever before. But doing this in practice requires efficient, reliable methods for coordinating ever-larger fleets of robots. These problems are extremely difficult, and current approaches either scale poorly or give weak or no guarantees on solution quality. The project will develop t ....Constraint-based Reasoning for Multi-agent Pathfinding. Automation is a transformative technology for logistics -- using robots to manipulate inventory allows warehouses to be more efficient, and larger-scale, than ever before. But doing this in practice requires efficient, reliable methods for coordinating ever-larger fleets of robots. These problems are extremely difficult, and current approaches either scale poorly or give weak or no guarantees on solution quality. The project will develop transformative approaches to multi-agent pathfinding which can handle industrial size problems, and handle all of the complications that arise in practical applications. This will deliver improved cost-effectiveness and productivity to automated warehouse logistics and other agent coordination problems.Read moreRead less
Post Harvest Application Of Electro-stunning In A Commercial Setting, Sustainable Packaging Development And New Product Development To Increase Sustainability Of Australian Farmed Barramundi
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$418,818.00
Summary
Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC. Objectives: Commercial in confidence
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
Advancing Health Economic Evaluation Measurement And Design To Support Priority Setting For Vulnerable Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
I bring well developed and unique research skills in child health economics, which is concerned with making sure the health system runs fairly and without waste. This research will make significant advancements in economic evaluation methods to ensure we can fairly evaluate health interventions for children. It will assess equity in how health care is funded for children and provide new information to support a fairer health system for children.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100568
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Towards reliability in combinatorial optimisation. This project intends to develop techniques to ensure that the solutions reported by optimisation tools are correct and verifiable. Combinatorial optimisation problems, where the best solution must be found from a vast set of possibilities, are central to critical sectors of the economy, including shipping, transit, mining and emergency response. Automated tools for these problems can now solve large industrial examples, however, they are incredi ....Towards reliability in combinatorial optimisation. This project intends to develop techniques to ensure that the solutions reported by optimisation tools are correct and verifiable. Combinatorial optimisation problems, where the best solution must be found from a vast set of possibilities, are central to critical sectors of the economy, including shipping, transit, mining and emergency response. Automated tools for these problems can now solve large industrial examples, however, they are incredibly complex artefacts which are prone to error and difficult to test. New methods for ensuring the correctness of automated tools would allow users to trust that the results returned by these tools are correct when making critical decisions.Read moreRead less
Harnessing Imaging And IT Strategies To Expedite Targeted Treatment And Improve Outcomes In Cerebrovascular Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,914,215.00
Summary
This project will expand on my 25+ years of research in combining neuroimaging methods such as CT and MRI with nascent software tools to better target and coordinate treatment and achieve improved outcomes in cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke. We will develop & improve new CT and MRI methods and leverage latest advances in computer science, such as deep learning and mobile phone app technology, to achieve faster and more accurate identification of patients who can benefit from treatment.