Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there is a need to improve coordination between and within both the R&D and industry sectors with regard to the study of hatchery feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. The recent world shortage of the brine shrimp Artemia has precipitated a crisis situation in aquaculture hatcheries. Accordingly, in late 1999 FRDC commissioned a Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan, which was developed at a workshop held in Cairns, Queensland, on 9–10 March 2000. 

The aquaculture community was widely polled to establish industry priorities for future research.  A questionnaire was sent to all stakeholders, together with an invitation to attend the workshop, which was held in Cairns on 9-10 March 2000. Researchers were invited to present the results of work in progress, and industry needs were canvassed in open forums.

For convenience, the subject was divided into 5 main areas of research: microalgae, rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods and formulated diets.  Status reviews were commissioned in each of these areas, and priorities in each defined in the workshop. In all areas, the need to benchmark best practice and to more efficiently transfer research results to industry were highlighted.

Keywords: Aquaculture, hatchery, hatchery feeds, rotifer, Artemia, copepod, diet.

Nutrition during the early life stages is a major problem in intensive fish culture. Inadequate food sources, either in terms of quantity or quality, is a major cause of mortality. Live food such as zooplankton has been employed for culturing the early life stages of marine fish and is currently obligatory for successful culture past metamorphosis, when the fish are weaned onto dry formulated diets. Continuing research and development into production technology for a range of marine finfish species has consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of existing live prey organisms used for larviculture. 

The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society in Sydney in 1999 (WAS 99) provided the opportunity for representatives from all the research groups working with larval feeds and larviculture to meet.  All concurred that there was a considerable Australian research commitment to the production of hatchery feeds and to the development of new feeds.  However, with the expansion of aquaculture in Australia there was seen to be a need to improve coordination between the research organisations in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry. 

On 9–10 March 2000 we convened a Hatchery Feeds workshop in Cairns, with the following objectives: 
1. To assess the status of hatchery feeds, including live and compounded feeds, and to identify research in progress.
2. To assess priorities for research and development needs in the area of hatchery feeds.
3. To identify constraints to the continued development of Australian aquaculture in the area of hatchery feeds.
4. To identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information exchange amongst researchers and industry.
5. To develop a national R&D plan for hatchery feeds.

This document is the outcome of that meeting.

With the expansion of aquaculture in Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Commission (FRDC) perceived a need to improve coordination between research organisations and industry in the study of fish larvae feeds, and to identify opportunities and priorities for future research. Accordingly, FRDC subsequently requested us to prepare a strategic R&D plan to more appropriately match the needs of industry.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.

In the drafting of the new national safety standards, ASIC considered it an imperative that the industry's interests should be acknowledged and not dominated by other and perhaps more vocal sectors of the broader maritime industry. ASIC sought therefore to instigate a process that would result in a collated national industry response to the new National Marine Safety Strategy.

In March 2000 a project application was forwarded by WAFIC, acting on behalf of ASIC, to the Fisheries Research and Development Council (FRDC), for industry to access the necessary funds to support a series of State/Territory and National workshops to progressively review the development of the Parts of the new NSCV and to collate industry's response on behalf of ASIC for presentation to NMSC.