Seafood CRC: Development of a genetic management and improvement strategy for Australian cultured Barramundi
The Australian barramundi industry (through ABFA) have long appreciated the potential for improving the sustainability and profitability of production through the appropriate implementation of genetic management and improvement of the species. However, previous attempts to develop a coordinated national strategy for this species have not met with success due to a poor understanding of possible models by which a breeding program within the industry can be implemented, the resources required for implementation and the potential benefits that will arise from a successful breeding program. ABFA views the investment in the Seafood CRC as an opportunity to catalyse efforts towards an industry wide approach to the sustainable and economically viable genetic management and improvement strategy for cultured barramundi.
ABFA prepared a TO for the proposed scoping study identifying the following needs and researchable constraints to the development of a barramundi genetic management/improvement strategy:
• lack of a broad, industry wide, understanding of the potential benefits (and risks) associated with genetic management and improvement
• a lack of a clear understanding of the resources (human, economic, infrastructure and genetic) required for the implementation of genetic management and improvement in this species
• gaps in knowledge required for the implementation of genetic improvement including key genetic parameters and economic weights of traits that could be improved.
• limited information on the genetic status of existing hatchery broodstock and thus their potential as founder stocks for genetic breeding programs
• lack of clear guidelines on appropriate genetic improvement strategies
Final report
The aim of this study was to review existing Barramundi-related genetic knowledge to identify relevant research and where the R&D gaps preventing instigation of Barramundi breeding programs presently exist. They identified and prioritised the research and steps that need to be taken to establish a sound program for genetic improvement of Barramundi farmed in Australia. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with selective breeding were analysed, a risk analysis performed and suggestions for risk management made. Barramundi genetic knowledge and constraints to Barramundi genetic improvement were reviewed. A research and development strategy, linking research topics into larger collaborative projects, was developed to address these issues. Some basic options for selective breeding were modelled and the benefit-costs compared. The models predict that even under these basic options, selective breeding would be profitable and of high benefit to the industry.
The study predicts that the continuously improved seedstock supplied by an industry wide selective breeding program for Australian Barramundi should stimulate expansion, raise profitability and improve international competitiveness of the industry.
Seafood CRC: Commercial production of all-female reproductively sterile triploid Giant Tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon): Assessing their commercial performance in ponds.
Seafood CRC: increasing seedstock production of domesticated giant tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon) through improved male fertility
SCRC: Seafood CRC: Training Needs Analysis of the CRC Industry Participants
The Seafood CRC is aiming to address capability building and other relevant issues through its E&T TBP 'A, B, Sea' with Emily Downes as the Program Manager. The TBP has 2 important outcomes which are paramount on this project being successful, namely:
• CRC industry participants have the necessary skills to implement and maximise the results from CRC R&D for use in their businesses, and
• Seafood CRC participants have an improved ability to attract, train and retain staff.
Through the TNA process, CRC participants need to be provided with assistance in identifying strategic WPT, particularly those which set within the CRC WPT priorities.
Seafood CRC: Oyster Consortium marketing projects investment meeting
The Oyster Consortium is in danger of making market investment decisions without agreed strategy or, stalled by indecision, making an insignificant investment to ensure a profitable marketplace on completion of the CRC.
The Consortium needs an agreed document, collating all work undertaken on consumer trends and expectations, that guides its investment within the marketing area. It also needs a strategic direction for the industry.
To begin to address this the Oyster Consortium;
1. will undertake to complete an Australian Oyster Industry Business Plan addressing the production environment, market/supply chain, industry structures before recommending an R & D plan.
2. has commissioned a desktop project that a) defines the current consumer’s expectations, b) summarises previous recommendations, and c) identifies any gaps in previous work.
3. plans to hold a follow up meeting to decide a) if/how the industry can meet those expectations through understanding product produced, b) directions it may take to meet expectations, in particular to consider contribution to relevant CRC projects ahead of Australian Oyster Industry Business Plan completion.
The “Oyster Consortium marketing projects investment meeting” is an essential step to guide the work of the Consortium’s Marketing Working Group and a vital step in achieving the following aims;
• Accepting a documented summary of consumer expectations from which to guide investment
• Forming views on industry needs and strategies that enable the industry to meet those expectations
• Preliminary input into the Business Plan and resolution on financial contribution into relevant CRC projects
Final report
This workshop focused on marketing directions for the Australian oyster industry. The oyster consortium vision was to:
"Improve the profitability of Australian oyster businesses through increasing penetration of innovative and existing oyster products into new and existing markets."
The current status of the oyster industry was discussed along with marketing goals up to 2014 and marketing strategies for the next 3-5 years. For each of the 8 marketing strategies the opportunities for marketing projects were broken down into 'discovery and development' in years 1—3 and 'Action learning and piloting' in years 4-5.
The workshop was attended by representatives from the South Australian, Tasmanian and New South Wales oyster industries and representatives from the UniSA Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Services.