ASBTIA: Investigation of causes of mortalities in farmed SBT – variation to project 2008/228

Funded Activity Summary

The SBT industry in Australia is limited by catch quota. Increased competitiveness and product quality through production efficiency are the main ways to improve the value of the industry. Improved performance can be achieved through reduction of mortalities and optimising production. These issues will also be crucial for longer term holding, when the initial size of tuna will be smaller and the fish will be farmed for a longer time, increasing health risks to the tuna.
Since 2002 there has been a significant fall in revenue (prices down over 50% and strengthening of the Australian dollar). The worsening financial parameters, combined with the intrinsic high ‘value’ of each fish, have placed a greater focus on all aspects of the industry and particularly stress impacts limiting production. Mortality is an obvious area and the current, increased level is not acceptable.
While FRDC project 2008/228 will investigate SBT parasites and their impact on farmed SBT, it will not include a broad approach to investigation of causes of SBT mortalities. There is an urgent need for the identification of the causes of SBT mortalities.

Objectives:
1. 1. To investigate causes of mortalities of farmed SBT in 2009, in particular 6-12 weeks mortalities
2. 2. To suggest preventative measures and/or further research to reduce mortalities in the future

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 15-02-2009

End Date: 15-12-2009

Funding Scheme: Funding Scheme not available

Funding Amount: $71,278.00

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

Animal Health | Disease | Husbandry | Mortality

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