Yellowtail Kingfish culture is a rapidly expanding industry in Australia, particularly in rural South Australia, where it is driving the increase in the ‘other’ category of aquaculture production from ~1100 tonnes valued at ~$9 million in 2002-03 to 2000 tonnes and $17 million in 2004-05 (ABARE, 2006). Regarding future production, CST alone are projecting an increase in annual production towards 8,000 T by 2015.

CST is the largest producer of Yellowtail Kingfish in Australia having produced over 1.25 M juveniles in 2007. The company operates two Yellowtail Kingfish hatcheries at Arno Bay and Port Augusta. The production of quality larvae from hatcheries underpins the production of farmed fish and low survival and high levels of malformations significantly increase costs.

Survival of Yellowtail Kingfish juveniles in Australian marine hatcheries is very low in comparison to many other marine species such as sea bass and bream produced in larger more mature industries, for example in Europe. Of particular note, several skeletal malformations have been reported in Australia and New Zealand, although few are well documented (Yellowtail Kingfish, Cobcroft et al., 2004).

There is also high variability in hatchery survival rates and the rate and severity of deformities among production runs and commercial hatcheries.

By way of illustration, the direct benefit to Clean Seas Tuna Ltd. of reducing malformations in Yellowtail Kingfish is estimated to be $1 million p.a. In this example a reduction in malformations from 40% to 20% (on 2.0 M juveniles before quality grading) could produce a further 400,000 good quality juveniles @ $2.50 (market value) = $1,000,000.

Pearl production accounts for more than half the value of the combined Australia aquaculture industries, yet little was understood of their health status prior to project no 94/79.

There is no text available which describes, the anatomy and histopathologically of the pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima , or the histopathological changes that occur with disease. This lack of published data is compounded by the fact that there are currently only 4 pathologists in Australia with significant experience and knowledge to interpret histology sections from pearl oysters.

The publication of the histopathology photographs collected during project no 94/79 plus other reference material collected by previous researchers will help to overcome this problem.

The ability to be able to recognise what is normal or abnormal is critical in the interpretation of histology sections and hence will affect the quality of diagnostic services that can be provided to the pearling industry.

The publication of this material will also act as a reference book for a range of other investigations into pearl oysters, such as, nutritional, husbandry and biology studies. It will ensure that the material gathered during project no 94/79 will be preserved for the future benefit of the pearling industry.