The Molecular Biology group at the Animal Health Laboratory of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment, provides diagnostic and disease investigation services for aquaculture industries in Tasmania. The increasing reliance on molecular techniques for the detection and identification of disease agents in aquatic animal health is undeniable. Due to the ever increasing number and more efficient molecular techniques becoming available and the dynamic nature of newly emerging pathogens, specialist training is increasingly important for the delivery of effective and useful services to aquaculture. Presently, species identification relies heavily on biochemical tests and cellular fatty acid analysis, or 16S rDNA gene sequencing, all of which at times can be non-definitive. Multi-locus sequence analysis uses several housekeeping genes to assign a species designations, and is a technique that is easy to use, accurate, and has great discriminatory power (McTaggart et al., 2010). The multi locus sequencing skills acquired would enable us to more specifically and accurately perform species identification and determine genetic diversity among different isolates and build up a gene bank of sequences in the future.

Government and industry have state, national and international obligations for responding to biosecurity incursions, including notifiable diseases. The emergency response framework includes OIE (world organisation for animal health) manuals, national AQUAVETPLAN manuals, State legislation and emergency management plans. Readiness requires on-going training to ensure skills are maintained and updated.

Ongoing aquatic disease response training should be considered at the National, State and industry levels (FRDC 2012/044). National protocols for fish kill investigations have previously been documented (FRDC 2005/620). South Australia have since developed protocols for responding to fish kills (PIRSA's Emergency Management Doucment: aquatic animal health). However, a fish kill training program (in line with national standards) in South Australia (aimed at government and industry personnel) is needed.

This project (training funds) aims to upskill key PIRSA fish kill investigators by attending the WA fish kill investigation course.

As an outcome, knowledge gained will assist in the development of a fish kill training program in South Australia.

There are very few experienced aquatic health veterinarians Australia-wide. Of these, there are a very small number practicing in private practice. As the aquaculture industry grows, there is a need for more highly skilled aquatic veterinarians in the country to ensure the industry continues to be successful and expand. Experienced veterinarians are required in the field of disease investigation and treatment, diagnostics, development of farm-based parasite management programs, development of biosecurity and health accreditation programs, reproduction, nutrition and welfare.

I graduated from the University of Sydney in 2011 and have worked in aquatic animal health as a field veterinarian since. My interests lie in production medicine in epidemiology, and I enjoy supporting the development of the food industry.

Diseases of Warmwater Fish (University of Florida) is a course that brings together a collection of aquatic animal health professionals. The organisers of the course are some of the most respected international aquatic health experts currently working or researching in the field. The course is designed as an intensive two-week class that provides instructions in the methodology of diagnosis and treatment of fish disease. By attending this course, I will be able to bring back useful skills to assist in disease investigation, a network of international experts, and a more detailed knowledge of fish disease- directly benefiting industry.