Seafood CRC: improving hatchery production of Yellowtail Kingfish larvae and fingerlings
ASBTIA: Investigation of causes of mortalities in farmed SBT – variation to project 2008/228
The SBT industry in Australia is limited by catch quota. Increased competitiveness and product quality through production efficiency are the main ways to improve the value of the industry. Improved performance can be achieved through reduction of mortalities and optimising production. These issues will also be crucial for longer term holding, when the initial size of tuna will be smaller and the fish will be farmed for a longer time, increasing health risks to the tuna.
Since 2002 there has been a significant fall in revenue (prices down over 50% and strengthening of the Australian dollar). The worsening financial parameters, combined with the intrinsic high ‘value’ of each fish, have placed a greater focus on all aspects of the industry and particularly stress impacts limiting production. Mortality is an obvious area and the current, increased level is not acceptable.
While FRDC project 2008/228 will investigate SBT parasites and their impact on farmed SBT, it will not include a broad approach to investigation of causes of SBT mortalities. There is an urgent need for the identification of the causes of SBT mortalities.
Final report
Towards reliable hatchery-produced quality blue mussels: an integrated approach to optimising supply
Aquafin CRC - Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram: commercial AGD and salmon health project
SCRC: PhD 6.06 Development of tools for the sustainable management of genetics in polyploid Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) (Assoc Prof Anthony Koutoulis; Student Penny Miller)
SCRC: PhD 5.08 Development of vision and first feeding behaviour of Southern Bluefin Tuna and Yellowtail Kingfish larvae (Dr Jenny Cobcroft: Student Polyanna Hilder)
Australian marine finfish farming has a target to increase production to 100,000 t by 2015 (Hone, 2008). In order to achieve this ambitious target considerable growth in the quantity and quality of hatchery produced fry is vital. This project adds critical mass to the highly skilled and specialised area of larval rearing research which will under pin industry growth.
Relevance to industry priorities and Seafood CRC milestones
Developing a sustainable, aquaculture-based supply of SBT juveniles is critical for the growth of the SBT industry in Australia. By increasing our knowledge of SBT and YTK biology, informed modifications to production systems will increase larval survival, addressing four specific outputs of the Finfish - Aquaculture Production Innovation theme including; Strategy 2: 1)Reliable production of SBT juveniles, and 2) Reliable, cost-effective production of high quality juveniles of YTK & other key species, and Strategy 3: 1) Established production techniques for propagated SBT, and 2) Improved feeds and feed management for marine fish during hatchery, nursery and grow-out stages (including during sub-optimal temperatures conditions). The CRC Milestones contributed to are 1.1.2 and 1.1.3 Key researchable constraints (in SBT and YTK larval culture) identified, characterised and successfully addressed.