Improved diagnostic methods for endemic and exotic pathogens of aquatic animals have been identified as a Key Research Area in the 2009-12 FRDC AAHS R&D plan (6.2.3 Endemic and exotic aquatic animal disease diagnostics).

Since Perkinsus olseni was first described in Australian abalone by Lester and Davies in 1981, histology and culture in Ray’s medium have been the most commonly applied diagnostic procedures for detection of Perkinsus sp.. Although these tests are relatively straight forward and practical, they are general in nature and neither identifies or differentiates specific species of Perkinsus. Despite a well developed framework for the molecular characterization of Perkinsus and modern PCR based molecular tests for some of the more commercially important Perkinsus species, these have rarely been applied in Australia. The first attempts to apply molecular methods to a small number (n=40) of Perkinsus infected abalone from disease outbreaks in NSW have already revealed a new variant which probably represents a new previously unrecognized species in Australia (Reece et al. 2010). This fact and the apparent variation in pathogenicity observed with Perkinsus in different areas, has raised several questions about which Perkinsus sp. are present in commercial mollusc populations.

Given that a significant depletion of blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) stocks in NSW over the last 20 years has been attributed to infection with Perkinsus (FRDC Project 2004/084) and localized areas of infection occur in a number of Australian states, from South Australia to northern Western Australia, the development and implementation of highly sensitive and rapid PCR based molecular methods to identify specific species of Perkinsus is essential. The development and application of such tests is necessarily underpinned by a detailed understanding of the molecular makeup of Perkinsus in these populations which is the subject of this application.

China is a significant market for ACA members and one where significant investment is already directed. China is a rapidly growing and rapidly changing market providing many challenges to ACA members wishing to develop sustainable business relationships as traditional supply chains to China are changing providing opportunities for Australian abalone product to enter Beijing direct being positioned as a premium quality product.

Consequently there is a need to develop both a research capacity and an industry skill base to enable the rapidly emerging opportunities for ACA exports to China. This project proposes a China research field trip involving 5 research students, 1 industry representative, 1 research internship student who is already working collaboratively with ACA focusing on a specific market sector for ACA in Beijing and the research Leader Dr Joanne Freeman. The market research field trip will be complemented by a formal education framework to enable both a commercial and academic perspective to be taken. The team as a whole whould gain a greater awareness of the role and significance of the Chinese seafood industry and how this awareness relates to opportunities for ACA members.

The market research field trip will provide industry participants and research students with the ability to compare and contrast markets (Australia and China) and to prepare actionable interpretive reports based on research findings. Furthermore, industry and students will attain an appreciation of a foreign culture as well as an awareness of cross cultural influences on business relevant to the Australian seafood industry.

This project also provides the opportunity for students to link with industry as a way of creating more "industry-ready" graduates.