6 results

Harvest and slaughter methods for farmed Barramundi to minimise fish stress and achieve premium market quality and improved fish welfare outcomes

Project number: 2019-003
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $124,230.90
Principal Investigator: Paul Exley
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date: 7 Jul 2019 - 27 Jun 2021
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES

Need

Current practices for slaughter of farmed Barramundi use ice slurry. The sector has undertaken preliminary research to understand impacts of harvest and slaughter methods on stress, product quality and fish welfare.
Further investigation is needed into practical and cost-effective application of rested harvest on farms, together with understanding how practices can be improved, for example understanding optimal ice slurry amount, timing, and crowding; and determining impact on flesh quality indicators (e.g. flesh pH, blood glucose and lactate and blood pH). Complementary to harvest method protocols, is the need to investigate the impact on stress of direct transfer of fish into ice slurry as a slaughter method.

The project focus contributes directly to the National priority of:
Improving productivity and profitability of fishing and aquaculture, by increasing profitability through better supply-chain connections (FRDC RD&E plan, 2015-20).
Similarly, the project addresses the NPIRDEF, Working together: the National fishing and aquaculture RD&E Strategy, 2010 value chain outcome of:
Fisheries and aquaculture are prosperous and viable; strategic research themes – growth and profitability; maximising value from aquatic resources.

Objectives

1. Determine stress imposed on fish during harvest operations, and develop methods for stress reduction.
2. Evaluate methods of slaughter that minimise stress to fish, incorporating animal welfare best practice
3. Refine and adapt protocols on farm with Industry to ensure practicality and cost-effectiveness
4. Prepare guide material on effective protocols for Industry best practice in formats suitable for ready reference by Industry

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-6456352-0-1
Author: Paul Exley
Final Report • 2022-12-15 • 4.86 MB
2019-003-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Australian Barramundi Farmer's Association (ABFA) has learned how harvest teams on farms can take simple preparatory steps to ensure the quality and consistency of Australian farmed Barramundi reaching the market.  Scientists have worked with farmers that have nurtured their Barramundi for the last two years through the grow-out phase and have demonstrated through on-farm trials that the harvest phase is just as crucial.  Research undertaken with farmers has shown that it is important to keep water dissolved oxygen levels above 5.0 mg/L as the fish are concentrated together beside the pond bank for harvest, particularly at high water temperatures.  The next step is to have the correct number of ice slurry bins on hand to receive the tonnage the farm plans to harvest, with the correct ratio of fish, brine and ice to ensure rapid chill.  All data gained will serve as a baseline 'toolbox' to compare future harvest technologies that will be adopted to progress the pursuit of quality.

Barramundi origins: determining the contribution of stocking to the Barramundi catch on Queensland's east coast

Project number: 2018-047
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $261,776.73
Principal Investigator: Susannah Leahy
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date: 31 Oct 2018 - 31 Jan 2021
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES

Need

This EOI was developed to address the priority, listed by Queensland RAC in the November 2017 Call for Applications, "To Determine the Proportion of Queensland East Coast (Marine and Estuarine)
Wild Barramundi Catch that is of Hatchery Origin"

- Since 2010 at least 4 million barramundi fingerlings have been released into impounded waterways, coastal lagoons, rivers (and estuaries) of Queensland

- the number of barramundi released annually varies between ~330,000 (2010) and ~794,000 (2015)

- whilst stocked fingerlings may suffer high mortality rates, stocked barramundi do migrate downstream and are caught in the wild-harvest commercial net fishery

- the magnitude of the contribution of stocking to the Queensland east coast population of barramundi is unknown

- this problem has limited quantitative stock assessment of barramundi on the Qld east coast

- DNA parentage analyses is a way to unequivocally identify hatchery origin barramundi and has been developed and validated for barramundi at JCU but it relies on having genotypes of the hatchery broodstock and is expensive per fish

- to be useful for a stock assessment any method needs to be able to be applied over multiple years to provide a time series of data, preferably hind-casting using the historic otolith collections maintained by Fisheries Queensland

- the aim of this project is to develop a cheap and effective method to identify the contribution of stocked fish to current and historic catches (via the Fisheries Queenlsand's otolith collections) to support stock status reporting and quantitative stock assessment

Objectives

1. To develop a near infrared spectroscopy model that can distinguish between wild origin and hatchery origin barramundi
2. To develop an otolith chemistry model that can distinguish between wild origin and hatchery origin barramundi
3. To compare the results from the models developed in #1 and #2 against an established method (genetics) to distinguish between wild and hatchery origin fish in wild caught barramundi
4. To evaluate and complete a cost-benefit analysis of the approaches developed

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-7345-0474-6
Authors: Leahy SM Jerry DR Wedding BBC Robins JB Wright CL Sadekov A Boyle S Jones DB Williams SM McCulloch MT Grauf S Pavich L McLennan M Sellin MJ Goldsbury J Saunders RJ
Final Report • 2022-02-24 • 5.66 MB
2018-047-DLD.pdf

Summary

Researchers from Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, James Cook University, and the University of Western Australia tested a range of otolith-based and genetic methods to identify hatchery-born from wild-born Barramundi. The project took place in the Dry Tropics region, where extensive historical and ongoing impoundment stocking (release of hatchery-born Barramundi into freshwater bodies) may be contributing to the downstream wild-capture marine and estuarine fishery. Fish samples were collected from the commercial and recreational wild-capture marine and estuarine fishery in 2019 and 2020, following the major Townsville floods in February 2019. The team identified a cost-effective means of using trace elements in fish otoliths to reliably distinguish hatchery-origin from wild-origin fish, measure the contribution of stocked fish to the wild population, and assess the sustainability of the wild-capture fishery.

Investigation and improvement of live Blue Swimmer Crab handling in NSW

Project number: 2018-024
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $102,107.00
Principal Investigator: Paul Exley
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date: 1 Apr 2019 - 27 Aug 2020
Contact:
FRDC

Need

As the NSW fishing industry moves forward into the future with quota managed fisheries, there is a need for industry to develop procedures and process on catching, holding and transporting Blue swimmer crab that would value add to the wild harvest sector’s product – particularly for the live sales market.

The current market is predominantly made of sales of cooked and raw blue swimmer crabs. An approx. price range of blue swimmer crab for 2015 / 2016 was $8.50 $9.00 per kilo. The live trade in blue swimmer crab in 2016 / 2017 is approx. $20.00 per kilo. A move to selling into the live market would provide a better return for effort and would help in maximizing return on investment in the blue swimmer crab quota fishery.

The “Live Blue Swimmer Crab” trade is in its infancy and it is timely to invest in technologies that will assist in lowering the mortality rates of these animals. Any investment now will accelerate the development of this fishery and ensure the best chance for the restructure of the NSW fishery to achieve its goals.ie viability and efficient use of a quota species.

The industry needs to have an easy to read handling guideline developed and training workshops to improve their access to the market and reduce mortality rates.

Objectives

1. To produce handling guidelines and conduct a series of industry training workshops to reduce the mortality rate of blue swimmer crabs and thereby increase the volume of live product to market
2. To improve fishermen returns who adopt the guidelines and undertake the training provided

Final report

Author: Paul Exley and Donna Cawthorn
Final Report • 2025-02-19 • 2.65 MB
2018-024-DLD.pdf

Summary

This report presents pivotal findings from an in-depth investigation into optimising live handling practices for the commercial Blue Swimmer Crab  (Portunus armatus) industry in New South Wales (NSW), with the overarching goal of unlocking high-value live trade opportunities. Initiated in 2019, the research was conducted by an experienced team of scientists at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in Coopers Plains, Brisbane. The primary objective was to develop effective handling protocols to improve the survival rates of Blue Swimmer Crabs from capture to market, thereby increasing the volume and quality of crabs available for sale. The study combined extensive literature review, laboratory trials and stakeholder engagement to provide a practical framework for fishers wishing to pursue the live Blue Swimmer Crab market, focusing on methods to reduce stress, minimise mortalities and maximise marketable yields.

Sensory testing of seafood - fresh versus frozen - and development of frozen seafood recipes

Project number: 2017-179
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $67,870.00
Principal Investigator: Peter Horvat
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date: 14 Jan 2018 - 30 Dec 2019
Contact:
FRDC

Need

The FRDC has developed a range of materials that assist consumer to better understand seafood - seafood user manual, Eyre Peninsula Seafood Guide, flavour wheel, etc. however little material has been developed to address consumer needs on preparing seafood in a way that reduces smell or touching.

In looking at the recipes developed as part of the seafood user manual, many are now dated and do not reflect the current simplified approach to cooking used by Australian consumers.

Some recipe development has been undertaken by the Alaskan Seafood Marketing Institute - and could possibly be used as a base for adaptation to local species.

Objectives

1. Develop recipes that address consumer needs - do not smell or use frozen seafood
2. Provide the research (qualitative sensory evaluations) to underpin consumer confidence in choosing and using frozen seafood

Final report

Authors: Sue Poole Carl Paulo Philippa Lyons Paul Exley
Final Report • 2019-10-30 • 928.34 KB
2017-179-DLD.pdf

Summary

There is a strong negative perception of frozen fish amongst consumers, with many considering that frozen product is of inferior quality compared to ‘fresh’ (chilled) fish. The resistance to purchase frozen fish continues, despite modern freezing technology and practices resulting in frozen product that remains as premium quality for longer than chilled fish.

Project products

Book • 4.94 MB
2017-179-Fishfreshfrozen.pdf

Summary

Which is better… fresh or frozen? When it comes to fish and seafood, everyone says that fresh is best … but is this really true? Sensory testing research shows there is no discernible difference between fresh or frozen fish from a culinary perspective.
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)

Improving survival and quality of crabs and lobsters in transportation from first point of sale to market.

Project number: 2017-018
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $158,459.00
Principal Investigator: Sue Poole
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date: 10 Sep 2017 - 25 Sep 2019
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Industry producers and processors have identified that crabs and lobsters suffer quality deterioration
during transportation, which then results in downgrading and consequent price reduction. As lobsters and crabs are highly sought products, losses incurred through current handling chains cause significant waste of this valuable resource. In NSW eastern rock lobster, mud crab and spanner crab resources are fully fished and hence, full revenue return can only be gained by mitigating the wastage occurring.

It is known that quality loss in crustaceans is often caused by stress imposed along the supply chain. To reduce the likelihood of downgrading of product, there is a need to undertake an examination of the handling and transport issues pertinent to various landing ports, distribution chains and market sales points. Identification of specific stress factors and where they occur most severely will enable development of specific mitigation measures for Industry implementation.

The need for the research was noted in the NSW FRAC research priorities, 2016.

Objectives

1. Document current handling practices and transport pathways within the three crustacean industries and identify the factors contributing most to animal stress
2. Develop adapted handling and transport protocols that minimise the critical stress factors
3. Trial amended protocols within commercial operations
4. Evaluate success by change in number of downgrades and market price achieved for live product
5. Extend knowledge to industry sectors and encourage adoption by demonstration of protocols at local port meetings.

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-7345-0466-1
Author: Sue Poole and Paul Exley
Final Report • 2020-05-01 • 1.66 MB
2017-018-DLD.pdf

Summary

Eastern rock lobsters, spanner crabs and mud crabs command a high price when supplied to the market as live product. Being aquatic animals, the demands to retain maximum quality and liveliness through the supply chain are challenging. Once taken from water, these crustaceans are subject to multiple hurdles resulting in cumulative stress and diminishing probability of survival. For the past two years, scientists from Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have been working with the New South Wales (NSW) crab and lobster Industries to determine ways to reduce stress imposed on the animals from capture to market. Through temperature monitoring along the supply chain, two key areas were identified as having high impact on the crustaceans. Handling by individual fishers from point of capture was critical to keep animals cool, damp, out of light and with minimal disturbance. Temperature during transport of crabs and lobsters often imposed severe stress, arising from truck refrigeration temperatures being set below the tolerance of live animals and the influence of cold truck floor-beds reducing live animal temperatures. The importance of careful handling after capture was emphasised with fishers and co-operative management staff regularly at every landing location visit. Simple modifications for protecting live animals from cold temperatures during transport were developed to reduce stress on the live animals. The benefit gained from adapted practices was successfully demonstrated within commercial operations.
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