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People
PROJECT NUMBER • 1998-348
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Quantitative Training Unit for Fisheries (phase 2)

The Quantitative Training Unit for Fisheries (QTUF) operated at The University of Sydney from 1995 to 2001. There were two distinct phases to the project: Phase I (Project 93/117, from 1995 to 1997) and Phase II (Project 98/348, 1998 to 2001). The QTUF project was designed to address the need for...
ORGANISATION:
University of Sydney (USYD)
TAGS
Stock Assessment
Modelling
Harvest Strategy
Fisheries Management
Biomass
Environment

Quantitative Training Unit for Fisheries

Project number: 1993-117
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $622,756.00
Principal Investigator: Tony Underwood
Organisation: University of Sydney (USYD)
Project start/end date: 5 Dec 1993 - 30 Jun 1998
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Training
Survey
Stock Assessment
Software
Population Dynamics

Objectives

1. AS DESCRIBED IN B3

Final report

ISBN: 1-86451-388-8
Author: A.J. Underwood
Final Report • 1998-06-15 • 285.76 KB
1993-117-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Quantitative Training Unit for Fisheries is a project funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation in the Institute of Marine Ecology at the University of Sydney.  The Unit was set up in February 1995, initially for a period of three years.  During that time, up to 3 people have been employed on the project.

The Unit was established to improve the skills of fisheries scientists and fisheries managers in Australia in the area of fisheries modelling.  Fisheries modelling embraces a variety of the mathematical techniques used to produce quantitative models of the populations of exploited fish species.  These models help scientists monitor changes in fish stocks so that they can provide the necessary information to the managers who are responsible for policies for the sustainable use of these stocks.

Course material was developed using Word, PowerPoint and Excel.  Word was used to create reference material for the participants to read in their own time.  PowerPoint was used to create presentations for projection during lecture sessions.  Excel spreadsheets provided the foundation of the practical sessions by implementing and demonstrating the mathematical and statistical techniques used in fisheries modelling.

The course material was packaged into 17 modules, so that training course could be tailored to the requirements of the participants.  Most of the modules were aimed at fisheries scientists; some were designed for managers.  Courses lasted from 2 to 5 days.  Eleven courses were held in all Australian States (except Western Australia) and in Canberra.  In total, 127 scientists and 25 managers attended.

Seven of the core modules were developed as computer-based, interactive training packages.  These were designed as stand-alone software for self-instruction, but they may also be used as presentations.  Macromedia Authorware was used as the software vehicle. and the packages can be run on Windows and Macintosh platforms.

It was considered desirable to retain the training unit beyond its initial 3 year period.  A successful application for funding at a reduced level was made to FRDC and the unit has started its second 3 year phase.  Two part-time positions are being provided to continue both the presentation of training courses and the development of further computer-based packages.

Environment
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 1998-139
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Coastal stocks of fish: from which estuaries are most adults derived?

The origins of many stocks of fish are unknown. As juveniles, many fish are found in estuarine regions. After a period in these habitats they may leave estuaries for coastal reefs and shelf waters where they may be commercially fished. Currently, we do not know the proportion of...
ORGANISATION:
University of Sydney (USYD)
TAGS
Habitat
Fisheries Management
Estuarine
Biomass
SPECIES
Snapper
Environment
Environment

People development program: 2012 FRDC International Travel Bursaries - Dr Joy Becker

Project number: 2008-314.29
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $5,517.00
Principal Investigator: Joy Becker
Organisation: University of Sydney (USYD)
Project start/end date: 22 Jul 2012 - 30 Sep 2012
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Trade
Leadership
Invasive Species
Fisheries Management
Education

Need

In FRDC 2007/007 and FRDC 2009/044, it was determined that ornamental fish entering Australia are a source of exotic pathogens, such as cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV2). This is of particular relevance for goldfish, where domestic breeders claim that their stock succumb to CyHV2 disease when brought into contact with imported goldfish in wholesale and retail premises. CyHV2 only affects goldfish and was addressed in the 1999 IRA as being exotic to Australia. Recent research findings from FRDC 2009/044 indicated that CyHV2 is present in domestic Australian goldfish populations. On 1 September 2011, Biosecurity Australia amended the health certification requirements for the importation of goldfish and no longer requires fish to be certified free of CyHV2.

The detection of CyHV2 and other exotic aquatic pathogens (e.g. gourami iridovirus) was achieved through the application of molecular techniques, such as PCR. Correctly applied and interpreted, molecular approaches offer unique opportunities to understand the local and global spread of a disease. The advancement of molecular approaches is required to safeguard Australia against pathogen incursions through the processes of informed policy development and import risk analysis.

There is a need to disseminate the research that determined that CyHV2 is now established in Australia and how scientific evidence was used to change national biosecurity policy to the international scientific community. There is also a need to ensure the availability of people with specialised training in molecular epidemiology in Australia to stay at the forefront of the application of this technology.

Objectives

1. To present findings from the project titled FRDC 2009/044 "Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Surveys of ornamental fish for pathogens of quarantine significance” at the 13th conference of the International Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (ISVEE 13) to be held from 20 - 24 August 2012 in the city of Maastricht, The Netherlands.
2. To complete a three day pre-conference workshop titled “Molecular Epidemiology - applications, tools and case studies”.

Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: surveys of ornamental fish for pathogens of quarantine significance

Project number: 2009-044
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $453,137.00
Principal Investigator: Joy Becker
Organisation: University of Sydney (USYD)
Project start/end date: 30 Jun 2009 - 29 Mar 2013
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Trade
Sustainability
Recreational Fishing
Freshwater
Fisheries Management

Need

In project FRDC2007/007 and previous studies it was determined that ornamental fish entering Australia may carry pathogens of quarantine concern, specifically gourami iridovirus (GIV) and cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV2). Ornamental fish are imported under a policy based on a formal Import Risk Assessment (IRA). On the 11/09/08 Biosecurity Australia announced the formal commencement of an Import Risk Analysis (IRA) under the regulated IRA process to review Australia’s freshwater ornamental finfish policy with respect to quarantine risks associated with gourami iridovirus (GIV). Australia has imported a large number of gouramis for many decades. The 1999 IRA considered several species of gouramis and concluded that specific risk management measures were required for these species due to biosecurity risk posed by iridoviruses, including GIV. Australia’s quarantine measures include that gouramis are held in an export premises for a minimum 14 day period prior to export, health certification stating that they are sourced from populations with no known significant clinical disease in the last six months, and that the fish are held in post-arrival quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. These are key features which need to be reviewed. Additional scientific data would enhance the review.

A second impact is that the developing Australian ornamental fish aquaculture industry may be at risk due to introduced pathogens. This is of particular relevance for goldfish, where domestic breeders claim that their stock succumb to diseases such as CyHV2 disease when brought into contact with imported goldfish in wholesale and retail premises. This disease agent was also specifically addressed in the 1999 IRA.

There is need to determine whether GIV and CyHV2 are in fact entering Australia despite quarantine practices, and further, to determine whether either virus is already established in farmed or wild ornamental fish in Australia.

Objectives

1. To determine whether GIV is entering Australia despite quarantine practices
2. To determine whether CyHV2 is entering Australia despite quarantine practices
3. To determine whether GIV is already established in farmed gourami in Australia
4. To determine whether CyHV2 is already established in farmed goldfish in Australia
5. To determine whether GIV is already established in wild gourami in Australia
6. To determine whether CyHV2 is already established in wild goldfish in Australia
7. To determine whether domestic goldfish free of CyHV2 succumb to disease when cohabitated with imported goldfish carrying CyHV2
8. To extend the findings of this study to the ornamental fish sector in Australia and provide information for use by DAFF

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-74210-314-3
Author: Joy Becker
Final Report • 2013-06-01 • 3.58 MB
2009-044-DLD.pdf
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