8 results

Preliminary evaluation of electro stunning technology for farmed Barramundi

Project number: 2021-051
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $21,123.00
Principal Investigator: Brian Paterson
Organisation: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Brisbane
Project start/end date: 11 Nov 2021 - 28 Feb 2022
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES

Need

The Australian Barramundi Farmers Association (ABFA) called for an EOI via FRDC for a proposal to evaluate alternative humane harvest methods for farmed barramundi. Specifically, the ABFA identified electro-stunning as a technology of interest to further optimise animal welfare outcomes, while maintaining product quality. The association needs all available information reviewed to evaluate the technology’s potential and if recommended, to help shape the direction of future R&D into the suitability of electro-stunning for the barramundi industry. As a precursor to possible on-farm trials, the ABFA wants to better understand the nature of the technology and learn from international experience in other fish culture sectors. This full proposal addresses the ABFA’s desire for greater insight into; (a) consumer’s attitudes towards fish harvesting and slaughter; (b) the state of uptake of similar technologies by other aquaculture sectors; (c) how to adapt electro-stunning efficiently into a harvest process for a range of barramundi farm sites; (d) whether local or overseas manufacturers/agents can be engaged to co-fund tests of equipment on-farm; and (e) what requirements must be met to make that testing possible and how it would be conducted.
Approval of the EOI was subject to the full application addressing the need for the literature review to include any work on methodology for establishing product quality indicators in addition to welfare indicators (Condition 9).

Objectives

1. Information about electro-stunning in fish aquaculture (reports, publications, websites, media) found using broad and selective web-searching as well as via on-line databases and then compiled/prioritised into an organised electronic library. The other objectives are addressed from this starting point.
2. Identify declared attitudes and expectations of consumers, leading retailers, and animal welfare groups concerning electro-stunning of farmed fish
3. Identify farmed fish sectors using electro-stunning for slaughter or other purposes and the known pros and cons of integrating it into their operations (including demonstrated cost-benefit, and welfare and product quality outcomes).
4. Describe the principle/specifications of electro-stunning and its relevance to different barramundi producers for slaughter and other uses and the desired end points including the methods required to measure product quality and welfare indicators).
5. Shortlist equipment to be tested/adapted on farms and consider IP and partnering/co-funding options
6. Recommend the next steps and a possible structure for a proposal to ABFA that demonstrates the efficacy of the equipment
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-147
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Risk factors and management strategies associated with summer mortality in Australian abalone

In this project, we reviewed the scientific literature and collaborated with Australian abalone growers to develop a case definition for summer mortality. The case definition developed for summer mortality is as follows: i. Chronic mortality of unknown cause (if in doubt take this to mean...
ORGANISATION:
University of Adelaide
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-005
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Risk analysis to identify and minimise biosecurity risks arising from recycling bivalve mollusc shell waste during shellfish reef restoration projects in Australia

The assessment indicated that heating recycled mollusc shells in water to 80°C for at least 5 minutes would meet the ALOP for all diseases (despite uncertainly for some disease agents due to lack of information, as indicated by ?), and was within the ALOP for all pests of concern. This method...
ORGANISATION:
DigsFish Services Pty Ltd
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-092
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

FRDC communication of evidence-based information on the healthfulness and sustainability of seafood to Health Professionals

Seafood is a nutritionally important food and an inherent part of Australian eating culture. However, consumers are often unsure which seafood to eat. This is for a range of reasons, including not knowing enough about the defining features of differing species or how to prepare and cook them, as...
ORGANISATION:
Professional Nutrition Services
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-169
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Assessing the nutritional value of Australian Barramundi

Farmed Australian barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is a reasonably well-recognised fish product in the Australian marketplace, however, its nutritional value and health benefits compared to other animal protein and seafoods is not quantified and widely known by consumers. This study assessed the...
ORGANISATION:
James Cook University (JCU)
SPECIES
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-141
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

New tools to assess visual fish health

In 2018 Infofish Australia Pty Ltd undertook a trial in Gladstone Harbour using machine learning tools to assess photos for fish health issues. The project was commissioned by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Gladstone Healthy Harbour...
ORGANISATION:
Infofish Australia Pty Ltd
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-020
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Identification of muscle parasite in Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), and determination as to the efficacy of non-invasive screening technology for the purpose of identifying infected fish in a commercial fish processing environment

Yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and Mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are actively targeted by fishers in the warmer waters of northern NSW. Both species are becoming increasingly important to local fishers with escalating demand due to increased consumer awareness of the premium eating quality...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-204
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Australian Abalone Growers Association Strategic R&D Plan 2020-2025

AAGA established its first strategic plan in 2015 for the period 2015-20. AAGA members now wish to develop a new strategic plan to inform further investment in our sector for the period 2020 to 2025 and beyond. AAGA and FRDC recognise the need for the sustainable development of the...
ORGANISATION:
Ridge Partners