Identification of environmental factors, with particular reference to acid sulfate soil runoff, causing production losses in Sydney rock oysters

Funded Activity Summary

This research proposal developed from discussions with NSW and Queensland oyster growers who consider estuarine acidification is a cause of declining oyster health and productivity. A recently completed study of estuarine acidification and its role in fish kills, habitat degradation and outbreaks of EUS in estuarine fish, showed that the occurrence and duration of acidification events may be a potential threat to sessile organisms such as oysters (Sammut et al., 1996; 1996b; Callinan et al., 1996;1996b). The former study indicates that such associations between acidified water and poor oyster health are plausible. The proposed study is needed to test for putative associations between acidified water and oyster health and productivity problems. It will also generate other data that will be used to identify risk factors for QX disease. If an association between QX disease outbreaks and exposure to acidified water is confirmed, or other water quality variables are identified as causative factors, then appropriate water quality management can be developed. At present, attempts to manage acid sulfate soil drainage in NSW fail to recognise the water quality needs of oyster producers. Data from this study can be used to design acid sulfate soil management strategies to avoid secondary impacts on oyster health and maximise productivity.

Objectives:
1. To identify associations between water quality conditions (with particular reference to acidified water and toxic metals), other environmental factors and reduced growth rates and disease outbreaks/mortalisties in oysters at selected sites on the Hastings and Tweed Rivers.
2. To identify specific environment and management related risk factors for reduced growth rates at selected sites.
3. To identify environmental and management risk factors for specific diseases with particular reference to QX on the Tweed River.
4. To effectively communicate the findings of this study to the oyster industry and relevant agencies

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-1997

End Date: 23-12-2004

Funding Scheme: Funding Scheme not available

Funding Amount: $185,191.50

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

Agriculture | Behaviour | Disease | Environmental Impact | Mortality | Oceanography | Pollution | Risk reduction | Water quality

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