SCRC: Propagation and sea-based growout of sea cucumber stocks in the Northern Territory
Seafood CRC: farmed prawns in Brisbane and Sydney - a consumer study
Seafood CRC: visiting scientist Dr Clive Talbot
SCRC: Visiting Expert Application: Dr Doug Tocher
Dr Douglas Tocher from the University of Stirling in Scotland is a world-renowned expert in both the practical aspects and the molecular biology of lipid nutrition in fish. He will be visiting Sydney in September 2009 to speak at the Oils and Fats conference. This is an excellent opportunity to have him visit Adelaide and Port Lincoln researchers and industry personnel to discuss possible international collaborative projects in finfish lipid nutrition.
Final report
This visiting expert grant allowed a visit to South Australia by Dr Douglas Tocher. Dr Tocher is based at the Institute of Aquaculture at Stirling University in Scotland and he is internationally-recognised for his work as a research scientist in the area of finfish lipid and fatty acid nutrition. The objectives of his visit were to exchange information about the most recent developments in finfish lipid and fatty acid nutrition in Europe and Australia and to hold a workshop to develop international collaborative research projects between the Seafood CRC and the Institute of Aquaculture at Stirling University.
Dr Tocher met for technical discussions with research providers at SARDI Aquatic Sciences, Adelaide University and Flinders University. He also visited the Lincoln Marine Science Centre in Port Lincoln. The culmination of Dr Tocher's visit was a symposium on finfish lipid and fatty acid nutrition and the human health implications held at Flinders University on Thursday October 8, 2009. The symposium was attended by approximately 25 researchers from Ridley Aquafeed, the Seafood CRC, Flinders University, University of Adelaide, the Royal Adelaide Hospital, SARDI and Deakin University.
The symposium was followed by a workshop to discuss possible future collaborative research projects in the area of finfish lipid nutrition. The workshop resulted in a cluster of proposed Seafood CRC Honours projects adding value to the feeding trials planned within "Sustainable Feeds and Feed Management for Yellowtail Kingfish" and "Understanding Yellowtail Kingfish".
SCRC: Compositional profiles of Australian seafood- Strategic analysis and method development.
The consultaive process with the CRC end-users identified a need for accurate, consistent and scientifically sound baseline compositional data of commercially traded seafood species. This information can be used to substantiate product label claims, including nutrition panel information and health claims; to promote the benefits of seafood and seafood consumption as part of a balanced diet, to inform dietary modelling activities and nutrition calculations, to gain and maintaining market access, to respond to bad publicity and to benchmark production processes.
In order to meet this identified need for reliable compositional data, industry participants have also identified an increasing need to have access to an expanded capacity of certified analysis. Phase 1 of the compositional profiles program will result in a strategic assessment of analytical capacity within the Seafood CRC and identify and prioritise methodology not currently available but required to meet current and emerging Australian seafood industry requirements for nutritional and compositional analyses. These certified methods can then be developed as part of this project, resulting in and meeting the need for an expanded capacity for the industry.
The Chemistry Centre as the oldest NATA accredited laboratory in Australia and the holder of widest NATA certified capacity of tests for food analysis in Australia is well placed to add seafood specific analytes to its capacity. Investment in establishment and expansion of seafood analytical capacity using the centre's existing infrastructure and diverse highly technical instrument base will expand Australian capacity in this key area for at least the next twenty years, leading to a long term efficient and competent resource for industry and academic research and development.
SCRC: Seafood CRC - commercial market development strategy leader
There is a need for someone with seafood industry and commercial market development expertise to assist the Program Manager (PM2) in
1. project design, development and implementation with CRC participants
2. communicating about Sellfish and Sellfish activities
3. planning and undertaking workshops, industry tours and other education and training activities related to Sellfish activities
4. creating links between the CRC and non CRC members who can assist achieving market development objectives
5. Developing and managing the proposed Retail Transformation suite of projects
6. Managing the Sellfish communal projects
Final report
In early 2009, the CRC identified that members had significant interest in constructing Commercial Market Development projects.
The CRC implemented this project specifically to assist members in the construction of these projects, with the additional objective of creating a large syndicate project that would transform the retailing of seafood in Australia.
As a market development and seafood industry expert, Market Strategy Ltd was contracted to deliver this work for the CRC.
SCRC: SCRC RTG:: Mr David Padula "Export study tour to China"
Final report
Travel was undertaken to the cities of Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong in the People's Republic of China in August and September 2009 for a period of 18 days.
The visit included attendance at the Dioxin 2009 Symposium on Persistent Halogenated Organic Pollutants in Beijing. Meetings were held with Chinese Government officials who have responsibility for food regulatory controls for residues and contaminants, border control inspection and quarantine and nutritional labelling requirements for foods. Information collected during this trip will benefit communal and non-communal Seafood CRC research projects.