Aquaculture Nutrition Subprogram: technical, project management and review services

Funded Activity Summary

The first phase of the Aquaculture Nutrition Subprogram (ANS) has demonstrated a strong need for technical inputs into the strategic direction and methodology applied to the nutrition components of both species and non-species based research programs. Without a coordinated subprogram approach to this research portfolio, the FRDC would have been unable to develop a collaborative program with the Grains Research and Development Corporation to characterise and produce vegetable protein alternatives to fish meal, nor would it have been able to standardize the methodologies and research approach for aquaculture nutrition in Australia with involvement from all relevant scientists. The subprogram is also addressing “market failure” in the areas of training and communication in the field of aquaculture nutrition, with a firm emphasis on empowering end-users of aquafeeds with basic nutritional and feed processing knowledge. The ANS needs to be maintained in a similar format to the first phase in order to capitalize on many of the initiatives that were implemented during the first 3 years of the project, but with less emphasis on the facilitation and maintenance on a core of research projects.

The need for on-going research into aquaculture nutrition and the need to maintain or enhance the technical standard and direction of this research is emphasized by the fact that Australian aquaculture industries still have a heavy reliance on imported nutrition technologies, feeds and ingredients for the supply of nutrients to target species. This includes feed manufacturing technologies, ingredients such as bait fish, fish meals, crustacean meals and fish oils, and complete feeds such as those utilised by the prawn industry. Not only does this create issues in relation to imported disease risks, continuity of supply and cost, but it means that many local products are being under utilised. Given the broad range of issues associated with the provision of aquaculture diets, the real cost of aquaculture diets in Australia will only be reduced through the delivery of well-targetted, strategic research. The infancy of the Australian aquaculture industries also means that a coordinated research approach is required to maximise the outcomes from research investment in the area.


Objectives:
1. Provide expert guidance and direction for aquaculture nutrition research in Australia through maintenance of a strategic plan, provision of technical reviews and inputs into project development.
2. Identify nutrition research priorities that are not being addressed through existing portfolios and initiate research projects in this area.
3. Promote capacity building and human capital development through the provision of training and resources in aquaculture nutrition and aquafeed manufacturing.
4. Develop risk management strategies as required for various aquaculture sectors in relation to nutrition to assist the research priority setting process.
5. Act as an identifiable point of contact for aquaculture nutrition research in Australia and improve the aquaculture nutrition skills base on Australia.
6. Improve communication of nutrition research outcomes and current nutrition research between scientists, aquaculturalists, ingredient suppliers and feed manufacturers utilising annual workshops, facilitated planning meetings and conferences.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 15-08-2004

End Date: 31-05-2008

Funding Scheme: Funding Scheme not available

Funding Amount: $156,100.50

Funder: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

There are no FoR codes available for this funding activity

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Disease | Market opportunities | Nutrition

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