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PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-086
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Improved risk management of paralytic shellfish toxins in Southern Rock Lobster

To examine toxicokinetics of PST in Southern Rock Lobster, an experimental study was undertaken in a biosecure aquaculture facility in South Australia. Adult male lobsters were fed highly toxic mussels (6 mg STX.2HCl equiv. kg−1) sourced from the Tasmanian east coast for 4...
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
TAGS
Toxin
Fisheries Management
Electronic Monitoring
Disease
Diagnostic
SPECIES
Southern Rock Lobster
Industry

Southern Rock Lobster Planning and Management for a National Research Development & Extension (RD&E) Program

Project number: 2021-096
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $556,600.00
Principal Investigator: Tom T. Cosentino
Organisation: Southern Rocklobster Ltd (SRL)
Project start/end date: 31 Jan 2022 - 30 Dec 2025
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Southern Rock Lobster

Need

The operating environment for Southern rock lobster fishing and exporting businesses has changed significantly since January 2020. Prior to this the value of the catch (beach price) has remained consistently high (average around $80/kg with highs up to $120/kg). Investment has had an exceptional ROI in this industry due to the scale of the fishery. This has enabled the fishery to engage in a progressive research agenda which focused on consolidation of knowledge and expansion of existing programs (biotoxins, lobster health, supply chain development).

However, the global pandemic and trade disruptions to the live export market in China have seen a precipitous decline in beach price (as low as $25/kg) making some operations unviable. Ongoing trade disruption has brought about a need for industry to urgently adapt to new markets and market offerings. Changing consumer preferences are demanding that out sector make further advancements in carbon and waste reduction as well as the circular economy. Performing in a changing climate will also be a focus of the fishery going forward.

The Southern Rock Lobster industry has a complex array of business structures. Many of the quota units or catch shares are owned by small family businesses while an increasing amount is owned by larger companies. Catch is taken by around 600 vessels and packed and processed by a number of different companies. The large and complex array of firms across three States means there is a need for leadership in prioritising and coordinating the investment in and managing industry RD&E.

SRL remains an active supporter and stakeholder in SafeFish and the Seafood Trade Advisory Group (STAG) to primarily address issues regarding food safety and international market access. The continuance of these relationships are paramount to the SRL industry's success to service new and existing markets as well as build on domestic opportunities.

This project will build on the existing capacity to deal with Southern Rock Lobster RD&E needs in a strategic and efficient way. The industry will benefit from continued collaboration on R&D initiatives with other Australian Rock Lobster representative bodies.

Objectives

1. Coordinate Southern Rock Lobster RD&E planning and management so that RD&E is strategically prioritised and delivered cost-effectively.
2. Deliver a corporate structure, resources and processes for SRL that ensures:a) Leadership focusing on continuous industry development through the delivery of the SRL Strategic Planb) a strategic focus on maximising profitability across the value chain within the limits of sustainability of the resource,c) high level governance at the operational, planning and strategic level
andd) effective engagement of all stakeholders in planning and building SRL’s value proposition to ensure further development within the fishery and relevance of SRL’s functions.
3. Communicate consistent information and the extension of R&D outputs to support and promote the adoption of new technology, science and other project outcomes through effective extension.
4. Respond to emerging issues coming from changing markets and consumer preferences including carbon reduction, the circular economy, animal welfare and climate.
Environment
Industry
Industry
Industry

Stable isotopes: a rapid method to determine lobster diet and trace lobster origin?

Project number: 2021-020
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $31,890.00
Principal Investigator: John P. Keane
Organisation: University of Tasmania
Project start/end date: 30 Jun 2021 - 29 Jun 2022
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Southern Rock Lobster

Need

1. Tracing lobster origin
The need for determining whether stable isotopes are a useful tool for diet analysis and identification of catch location is a priority for the SRL fishery. If proved useful, this technology will allow for rapid identification and isolation of stock abnormalities – such as toxic algal blooms, which has potential to save a lot of time and money for fisheries management.

2. Invasive urchin controls
If results show that small lobsters do predate on urchins, this will be important for informing stock rebuilding targets and reference points relative to urchin control. Primarily we could advise on whether urchin control targets and performance indicators should be based on total lobster biomass or only large lobster biomass. For example, if small lobsters (140mm CL) are found to actively predate on small urchins, the pressure to rebuild the large lobster biomass (>140mm CL) may be reduced. This could in turn help to adapt the rebuild strategy, in line with effective urchin control.

Objectives

1. To determine the level of stable isotope variation within individual lobster tissues (e.g. muscle vs shell) and identify a non-lethal and minimally destructive method of sampling for stable isotopes.
2. To describe lobster diet off eastern Tasmania and quantify the role of smaller lobsters (&lt
140mm CL) in the predation and control of Longspined Sea Urchin in Tasmania.
3. To ascertain if stable isotopes can be used to identify catch location of individual lobsters post-harvest across SE Australia

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-922708-49-6
Authors: Jennifer E. Smith John Keane Michael Oellermann Craig Mundy & Caleb Gardner
Final Report • 2023-05-01 • 1.66 MB
2021-020-DLD.pdf

Summary

Scientists at IMAS conducted a stable isotope study on Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) collected from Southern Australian sites to determine whether or not capture site could be determined post-harvest.
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