About the Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram

The Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram was established in 2001 to provide a cohesive and national approach to aquatic animal health research and development in Australia. The development of the subprogram was an initiative of AQUAPLAN (Australia’s National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Animal Health) under Program 6: Research and Development. Through an agreement between DAFF and the FRDC it is assured that the subprogram will continue through to 2008.

Scope and objectives
The scope of the Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram is ‘health’, with a focus on infectious diseases. The objectives are to:

• coordinate Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram research projects (project applications, project management, communication, etc…);
  
• set strategic directions for aquatic animal health research and development in Australia; and
  
• facilitate the dissemination of information on, and results from, aquatic animal health research and development.
  

The subprogram is responsible for coordinating research projects funded under the following 2 separate components:

a) ‘traditional’ FRDC research and development funds. Health-related projects submitted to the FRDC, excluding those for which a species-specific subprogram already exists. In these cases, these subprograms (eg Atlantic salmon; tuna; abalone; rock lobster) would have prime carriage for health research projects specific to their species, and the health subprogram would ensure cross-linkage and provide advice where necessary.

b) Australian Government Initiative 'Securing the Future - Protecting our Industries from Biological Checmical and Physical Risk' is administered by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. This comprises projects funded over four years (2004/05 to 2007/08) for aquatic animal health research.

Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram Strategic Research and Development Plan 2002-2007

Download the Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram Strategic Research and Development Plan 2002-2007 in PDF format

Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram research and development Pre-Proposal Template

Download the research and development pre-proposal template in MS Word format

AQUAPLAN

AQUAPLAN is Australia's National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Animal Health 2005-2010. The strategy outlines the objectives, projects, emergency preparedness and response arrangements for the management of aquatic animal health in Australia..

AQUAPLAN was developed and formally endorsed by Commonwealth and State/Territory governments and the private sector. The development of AQUAPLAN and the implementation of its projects are overseen by the Ministerially appointed Fish Health Management Committee (FHMC).