Seafood CRC: Australian abalone industry R&D planning, implementation and utilisation.
SCRC: PhD : Understanding penaeid prawn sex determination and developing monosex induction strategies for commercial application (Andrew Foote)
This project will have significant impact on the industry as it will identify avenues for substantially improving farm profits by producing all-female populations. Production data from the Australian industry indicates sexual differentiation and maturation of Penaeus monodon (Giant Tiger Prawn) under commercial culture conditions occurs by 5 months of age, by which age females are on average ~30g and males are ~25g. This species is often harvested at even later ages by which time the size difference between females and males is even greater. As this project is focussed on improving pond yields it falls within the R&D priorities of the industry as outlined by the APFA
Relevant CRC Output(s) and Milestone(s):
Output 1.3 Removal or reduction of key production constraints in selected aquaculture systems
Milestone 1.3.1 New genetic tools and breeding strategies for genetic management and improvement of
at least two aquaculture species
(also refer to consultation and background)
Final report
Domestication and selective breeding programs in a number of cultured penaeid shrimp species worldwide have substantially improved commercially desirable traits compared to wild stocks. Improvements in growth rates, feed conversion efficiency, disease resistance and survival have been achieved in the important aquaculture species including Litopenaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon, Fenneropenaeus chinensis and Marsupenaeus japonicus. However, there are substantial economic investments associated with the development of genetically superior lines in breeding programs and the intellectual property associated with such lines requires protection in the absence of effective legal mechanisms. Various technical strategies have been developed to protect these genetic resources with limited success to date.
Currently, triploidy is the only method known to guarantee inhibition of reproduction in shrimp and thus confer genetic protection. In addition, triploidy can increase the proportion of females in some shrimp species which is commercially desirable, as females grow faster than males. Triploid F. chinensis, M. japonicus and P. monodon have been produced by inhibition of polar body I or II formation during meiosis. A number of treatment agents to induce triploidy in shrimp have been trialled, with greatest success achieved using chemical and thermal shocks. However, current triploid induction methods cannot produce triploids at high or absolute rates and are not practical for commercial adoption due to the challenges associated with treating entire spawnings and the high mortality associated with the necessary handling of fragile eggs and embryos.
SCRC: Seafood CRC: PDRS "Benchmarking consumers’ physical and mental availability for seafood products and brands in different buying situations"
The PDRS is expected to work on projects for which the industry expresses an interest (Cf. Sellfish TBP).
The SellFish theme contributes to both of the Australian Seafood CRC’s research programs "Value Chain Profitability Program (Program 1)" and 3Product Quality and Integrity Program (Program 2)". The Seafood CRC R&D Programs aim to deliver thirteen major outputs. Two of these desired outputs specifically require marketing research. They are Output 1.6 (Removal or reduction of barriers to seafood consumption) and Output 2.5 (Communication of consumer health benefits and risks).
Consumption of selected seafood products sold by Australian Seafood CRC participants will increase, through an increased of products satisfaction by existing customers and through the recruitment of new customers. The impact of activities carried out as part of this theme will be measured using an “omnibus” survey in one or more Australian cities where a selected cohort of consumers will be monitored over the life of the Seafood CRC. Additional consumer surveys and sales data will be used to assess the effectiveness of specific projects.
There are many general questions to be answered about barriers and drivers of seafood consumption, and it is expected that most CRC industry participants will find the answers useful. All seafood CRC industry participants will therefore be asked to cooperate in funding the necessary projects. These general questions will be considered in the early projects conducted by the CRC, thereby establishing a level of basic knowledge and common understanding in all CRC industry participants and research providers. These early projects will also be important in establishing relationships and credibility between industry participants and researchers. Much of the seafood produced by CRC participants is exported and it follows that market research should be conducted in those export markets.
SCRC: Seafood CRC: Postdoctoral Research Fellow - joint SARDI-Flinders Larval & Early Juvenile Marine Finfish Rearing Scientist (Flinders/SARDI joint appointment)
SCRC: Seafood CRC: Postdoctoral Research Fellow - SARDI Seafood Processing Scientist
Final report
This project and the resulting appointment of Mohan Raj led to collaboration with industry to improve seafood processing through a variety of endeavours including on site production evaluation (and recommendations for processing changes), communication through Masterclass workshops as well as the introduction and testing of new technology.
A number of ‘Masterclass’ workshops were delivered on seafood packaging trends. Workshops were presented in four locations including Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth. In each location a number of businesses and agencies were visited to understand their issues, suggest solutions, and assimilate information for future Seafood CRC proposals. A production of a DVD showcasing the workshop presentations was also prepared for industry.
SCRC: Seafood CRC: ‘WERA’ Industry Bursary 2008
SCRC: Seafood CRC: Training needs analysis/learning environment analysis - template, pilot & report
The whole seafood industry in Australia is poorly qualified when it comes to industry training. The up-take of the SITP has been poor, despite the fact that the SITP is recognized around the world as a best practice Training Program. Much of the industry is a nil-entry level employer and clearly this puts the industry at a disadvantage in so many ways. The Seafood CRC will be addressing this through its Industry E&T and this is one project to get the ball rolling.
The project is to develop and test the processes for Training Needs Analysis (TNA) and/or Learning Environment Analysis (LEA) as part of the Seafood CRC’s Industry Education and Training (E&T) strategy.