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Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: establishment of a national aquatic animal health diagnostic network

Project number: 2005-621
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $124,247.70
Principal Investigator: Richard Whittington
Organisation: University of Sydney (USYD)
Project start/end date: 30 Mar 2005 - 5 Mar 2007
Contact:
FRDC

Need

The lack of many recognised serious diseases is perceived as one of Australian aquaculture’s prime competitive advantages to meet future global demand. Maintenance of this high health status through initiatives which reduce the risk of disease incursions and facilitate early detection and response to emerging disease problems is seen as critical to continuing industry expansion. The range of commercially significant aquatic animal species, and their diseases, is increasing steadily. It is clear that, due to limited resources, diagnostic laboratories cannot develop proficiency in the diagnosis of all significant diseases, for example those listed in the Australian National List of Reportable Diseases of Aquatic Animals. Appropriately, State laboratories, in support of local industries, concern themselves with local aquatic animal species and their significant diseases and have developed expertise in those areas. Rather than duplicate this effort, AAHL’s involvement and expertise focuses on exotic diseases of concern to Australia, as well as new or emerging endemic diseases. As a consequence, expertise in specific diseases has developed in different laboratories throughout the country. To take advantage of this development, to ensure that expertise in different diseases is available Australia-wide, and to create a consistent system of aquatic animal disease diagnosis and reporting, it is proposed that a national network of laboratories should be established for the diagnosis and monitoring of aquatic animal diseases underpinned by a formal quality assurance program. Through a consultation process, uniform data standards and reporting formats need to be developed and adopted by all jurisdictions. Standard diagnostic tests and operating procedures also need to be developed and subsequently adopted by laboratories within the network. Thus this project is concerned with the establishment of the network and commencement of activities, including proficiency tests (“ring tests”) designed to assist laboratories in further developing their diagnostic capabilities and/or to allow demonstration that performance of a particular test is at a nationally accepted standard, using Australian and New Zealand Standard Diagnostic Procedures (ANZSDPs). In this way confidence of stakeholders in the quality of diagnosis provided is increased. The project is in complete alignment with AQUAPLAN 2005-2010.

Objectives

1. Make recommendations on the structure and function of the network of receival and reference laboratories
2. Establish a network for aquatic animal disease diagnosis.
3. Facilitate transfer of knowledge and technology in aquatic animal diagnostics.
4. Develop a model for national laboratory proficiency (ring) testing as a mechanism to enhance the proficiency of the established diagnostic network.

Final report

ISBN: 1-86487-8770
Author: Richard Whittington
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)
SPECIES

Quantitative Training Unit for Fisheries (phase 2)

Project number: 1998-348
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $246,242.00
Principal Investigator: Tony Underwood
Organisation: University of Sydney (USYD)
Project start/end date: 25 May 1998 - 13 Aug 2001
Contact:
FRDC

Need

There is a need for the continuing provision of training courses in the introductory and core material. To maximise the benefits of the existing investment in computer-based material, there is a need to provide a mechanism for the distribution of software. In addition, the value of the computer-based material can be increased by developing further modules for which a requirement has been identified by the Unit's National Advisory Committee.

Objectives

1. Continue to provide training in the population dynamics of exploited stocks.
2. Assure the future of the training material by integrating it into the postgraduate programs of the University of Sydney.
3. Develop additional computer-based modules.
4. Disseminate the products of QTUF

Final report

ISBN: 0-646-41662-6
Author: A.J. Underwood
Final Report • 2001-07-12 • 2.00 MB
1998-348-DLD.pdf

Summary

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 Australian fisheries scientists and managers to have improved knowledge of and skills in quantitative methods. This need has arisen because of changes to strategies of management, particularly the use of catch quotas and the implementation of the precautionary approach. A need was also identified for a permanent medium for self-study of quantitative methods and applications. We addressed this need by the development of computer-based-instruction software entitled Quantitative Training in Fisheries (Montgomery and Hood 2001).  An additional requirement included the development of a postgraduate award system for training in quantitative fisheries science. QTUF has met this need by helping to create new awards in Quantitative Marine Ecology at the University of Sydney.

To achieve our training objectives, the QTUF ran five different types of courses for fishery scientists, fishery managers and university students. This involved teaching courses to over 100 scientists and managers and almost 70 managers. All participants at the courses completed an anonymous questionnaire that has provided us with extensive information about outcomes of the courses. This indicated the achievement of the first project objective: “Continue to provide training in the populations dynamics of fish stocks”.

The second project objective, “assure the future of the training material by integrating it into the postgraduate programs of the University of Sydney”, was also achieved. New awards in Quantitative Marine Ecology, to be taught by the Centre for Research on Ecological Impacts of Coastal Cities, commenced in 2001, having been approved by the University’s Academic Board. These awards include units of study in the assessment of living marine resources that are the continuation of the QTUF courses. There are also units of study in the assessment of environmental impacts. Such units will help met the need for individuals trained in identifying the impacts of fishing activities.

The third project objective, “develop additional computer based modules”, referred to the software Quantitative Training in Fisheries.

We will be making extensive use of the training software in the Quantitative Marine Ecology Awards. Extensive evaluation of over 200 users of the software indicated that the content was pitched at the appropriate level. The software was considered to be easy to navigate and was identified as an effective learning tool. It is unlikely that there will be extensive revisions to the software at this time. The forth project objective, “disseminate the products of QTUF”, was also achieved. We have direct evidence that over 80 copies of Quantitative Training in Fisheries were distributed to individuals in over 10 Australian institutions.

Long-term outcomes of the QTUF project are difficult to assess. The impact that our courses and software have had on individuals in the short-term (for example, directly after a course) can be documented, but this cannot give firm evidence of long-term benefit. Any training project will experience the same difficulties. We trust that the extensive outputs of the project, along with our enthusiasm and dedication to quantitative methods, will have a long-term impact on the sustainability of Australian fisheries.

Keywords: population dynamics, stock assessment, models, uncertainty, computer-based-instruction, training, quantitative, professional development.

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