PROJECT NUMBER
•
2004-002
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
SPECIES
29 results
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2023-002
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Aquafin CRC - Enhanced hatchery production of Striped Trumpeter, Latris lineata, in Tasmania through system design, microbial control and early weaning
Project number:
2004-221
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$1,199,315.03
Principal Investigator:
Stephen Battaglene
Organisation:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Project start/end date:
29 Jun 2004
-
31 Jul 2008
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
The project is essential for four main reasons. First, experience in other countries, now rapidly developing new species like Atlantic cod, turbot, haddock and halibut, indicates the need for a new coldwater species to complement the existing salmon industry in Australia, which is facing significant challenges (see Background B2). Major stakeholders, the Tasmanian Government and Tasmanian Salmonid Growers Association fully support the development of striped trumpeter as an alternative species, recognising that it is a long-term investment (Appendix 3 and 4). The Tasmanian Aquaculture RAG and TasFRAB have sanctioned the project as a top priority. Overcoming the striped trumpeter larval mortality bottleneck is identified in the Tasmanian Fisheries and Aquaculture Strategic Research Plan 2005-2009 as a high priority. Second, the project addresses the two objectives of the Aquafin CRC, Production Subprogram (Subprogram Hatchery Technology) by increasing the availability of species suitable for aquaculture and improving the quality of fingerlings for farm stocking. It also potentially fills an expertise gap for the CRC following the Tuna Propagation Program demise by further developing a team capable of tackling difficult to rear marine fish and tapping into research institution in-kind contributions. The Aquafin CRC Board and JMAC has requested the submission of the proposal. Third, there is an identified need for the research at a generic level where there is a necessity for both, a more systematic way to match the nutritional profile of live feeds with the requirements of new species of marine larvae (FRDC Hatchery Feeds R&D Plan high priority), and the development of system design and probiotics for the control of disease or improved health of hatchery and farmed aquatic animals (key area for research (7.2.2) in the Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram Strategic R&D Plan 2002-2007). Fourth, it facilitates capacity building and collaboration among the key institutions developing new marine species and an excellent training opportunity for post-graduate students, hatchery technicians and scientists.
1. Investigate the control of microbial communities in intensive larval fish culture using ozonation and probiotics.
2. Determine the optimal environmental parameters, and water quality systems and tank design for reducing hatchery mortality and malformations in finfish larvae.
3. To better understand "grey gut syndrome" and the ontogeny of the immune system, including linkages to developments with probionts and immunostimulants.
4. Evaluate formulated diets and their use in early weaning.
5. Evaluate the growth and survival of striped trumpeter post-larvae and juveniles reared under semi-commercial conditions.
6. Evaluate the possibility for the culture of striped trumpeter using alternative systems and/or sites.
Final report
Understanding shelf-break habitat for sustainable management of fisheries with spatial overlap.
Project number:
2004-066
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$514,126.61
Principal Investigator:
Caleb Gardner
Organisation:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Project start/end date:
28 Oct 2003
-
30 Aug 2007
Contact:
FRDC
The need for this project was identified by fishery managers and industry and addresses high priority strategic research areas identified by both state and national fisheries organisations. It is research that targets a high priority need across Australian fisheries: understanding the effects of fishing activities on fish and their ecosystems. The need for research is compounded in shelf-break habitats due to: (a) scarcity of basic information about shelf break habitats, (b) slow growth of many species in this region implying less resilience to impacts, (c) interaction effects between different sectors that may compound impacts.
The research need on addressing interaction between different sectors will be specifically addressed here in relation to the interaction between trawl and crab trapping sectors. This interaction between different fishing sectors is not unusual and is likely to be repeated in the future – work conducted here will assist in providing a template for resolution.
Understanding shelf-break habitat for sustainable management of fisheries with spatial overlap was identified as the number 1 research priority for Tasmanian crustacean research by both DPIWE and representatives of the Tasmanian crustacean fishing industry at the Tasmanian Crustacean Research Advisory Group.
The project focus is also consistent with strategies developed by the Commonwealth agencies involved in management of industries based around the shelf-break: the Commonwealth Government and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia (AFFA). It is targeted to the FRDC program of Natural Resource Sustainability through the strategies of “Interactions between fish and their ecosystems” and “Effects of fishing activities on fish and their ecosystems”.
1. Define and map key habitats on the shelf edge (~80-180 fm) at key locations around Tasmania where fisheries using different gear types interact.
2. Evaluate their resistance and resilience to impact from fishing gears based using the semi-quantitative 'Ecological Risk Assessment' framework
3. Detail the distribution of exploited shelf-edge species in relation to habitat features
4. Evaluate ecosystem links within habitats based on trophic, temperature and current-flow data
5. Evaluate using video to obtain stock assessment information such as abundance, sex ratio, condition and size of target species, primarily the giant crab
Final report
Towards integrated multi-species management of Australia's SE reef fisheries: A Tasmanian example
Project number:
2004-013
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$589,164.00
Principal Investigator:
Stewart Frusher
Organisation:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Project start/end date:
8 Jan 2005
-
29 Sep 2008
Contact:
FRDC
This project is the first of a larger strategic focus that moves away from species based management towards integrated ecosystem management. It will give impetus to:
a) Understanding the implications of management of one resource on another,
b) Measuring the impacts of increased utilisation of the marine ecosystem on the health of all components of the ecosystem (eg. commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, aquaculture),
c) Establishing baseline data that can be used to monitor environmental change (e.g. introduced pests, global warming),
d) Meeting the increasing need of consumers for environmental accreditation (e.g. MSC, EA). This is particularly the case for diversification of future markets.
This project addresses several aspects of Australia’s Marine Science and Technology Plan.
Program 1 - Understanding the Marine Ecosystem
Objective 6: To understand the biological processes in Australia’s oceans
Objective 7: To understand the dynamics of Australia’s marine habitats and ecosystems
Program 2 - Using and Caring for the Marine Environment
Objective 1: To ensure the maintenance of healthy and properly functioning ecosystems through the development and application of effective monitoring and assessment procedures and sustainable management practices
Objective 6: To improve the productivity and sustainablilty of wild harvest fisheries, and to improve understanding of the relationship between fished stocks and the ecosystems that support them.
The project addresses FRDC's strategic vision to move towards assessment and management of Australia’s fisheries at the ecosystem rather than single species level. A concern in embracing integrated multi-species or ecosystem-based management is the breadth of ecosystem issues that can be tackled. By focusing on specific issues identified by our stakeholders this project has the potential to demonstrate the benefits of multi-species management in two of SE Australia’s most valuable fisheries, and the need for this approach to be adopted as the future management framework.
The need to develop and apply new methods is core to improving our understanding of marine ecosystems. This project encompasses this need with the use of infra-red and low light video technology, acoustic telemetry and DNA dietary studies, all of which represent frontier technologies.
At the TasFRAB Wildfish Strategic Planning Workshop held in 2003 to develop Tasmania’s 2004 – 2009 Strategic Fisheries Plan, both Industry and Government recognised that a healthy and productive reef ecosystem is essential for maximising the social, economic and aesthetic returns to rural coastal populations in Tasmania.
At the Southern Fisheries Management Workshop (SFMW) held in November 2003, managers highlighted three separate approaches that needed to be addressed in pursuing ecosystem based management. These were a systems approach that described a management unit and incorporated all inputs into the system (e.g. Westernport Bay and associated catchments, Great Australian Bight), a risk assessment approach and an understanding of processes that drive systems. TAFI's approach that focuses on understanding process based on observed patterns was endorsed by the SFMW. It was noted that TAFI was in the best position to undertake this research in a cost effective manner as this approach suited post-graduate studies.
1. To determine the impact of rock lobster fishing on abalone population dynamics
2. To evaluate the effect of abalone fishing on the community structure of the reef
3. To understand rock lobster predator-prey relationships, particularly in relation to changes that may have occurred as a consequence of fishing
Final report
Tasmanian Fisheries and Aquaculture Research and Development Plan 2003-2005
Project number:
2004-313
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$20,000.00
Principal Investigator:
Colin Buxton
Organisation:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Project start/end date:
29 Jul 2004
-
10 Jul 2006
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
The 3 Year fisheries and aquaculture R&D plan is needed to:
1. Achieve economic, environmental and social objectives (see 7 above)
2. Enable key stakeholder R&D needs to be addressed.
3. Enable priorities to be identified for targeting limited resources.
4. Enable R&D resources to be aligned to (2) and (3) above.
1. To increase economic, environmental and social benefits
2. To achieve sustainable use and management of natural resources
3. To develop and more effectively use human resources and skills
4. Improve effectiveness, efficiency and accountability for expenditure
Final report
Evaluation of egg production as a method of estimating spawning biomass of redbait off the east coast of Tasmania
Project number:
2004-039
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$398,417.47
Principal Investigator:
Jeremy Lyle
Organisation:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Project start/end date:
30 Aug 2004
-
24 Apr 2008
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Redbait are an important component of the pelagic ecosystem, being a major consumer of zooplankton and a prey species for predators such as tunas, birds and mammals. The introduction of large-scale mid-water trawl operations (2001) to target small pelagics in Zone A of the Small Pelagic Fishery has produced catches of redbait that have no precedent locally and there is real potential for further rapid expansion. Little information is available on the biology or population dynamics of redbait, and there are no assessments of stock size on which to base TACs, currently set at 34,000t (combined species, including management triggers).
The development of a method for estimating redbait biomass is urgently required to support the setting of scientifically defensible TACs. Fishery-dependent methods of assessing fish stocks are generally unsuitable for small pelagic species due to their schooling behaviour and targeted nature of the fishing operations. Furthermore, due to the very recent development of mid-water trawling targeting redbait, no time series of data are available to detect changes in redbait stocks off Tasmania. The daily egg production method (DEPM) has been applied successfully for biomass estimation of a variety of small pelagic species, and is deemed suitable for estimating redbait biomass. There are advantages in generating biomass estimates as early as possible in the development of this fishery, if fishery impacts are to be detected and managed.
FRDC has supported the evaluation of DEPM for blue mackerel (Project 2002/061), a species that co-occurs with redbait. There are considerable efficiencies in establishing linkages with this project in terms of research focus, expertise and resources. However, as redbait have a different spawning season to blue mackerel, the timing of blue mackerel egg surveys are not appropriate and therefore additional research is required to evaluate the feasibility of using DEPM for redbait.
1. To estimate the critical reproductive parameters for redbait along the east coast of Tasmania, particularly spawning fraction and batch fecundity.
2. To develop and validate methods for identifying and staging the eggs and larvae of redbait.
3. To estimate the location and extent of spawning areas of redbait on the east coast of Tasmania, including a quantification of the levels of egg production of this species.
4. To evaluate the use of the daily egg production method for estimating the spawning biomass of redbait on the east coast of Tasmania.
5. To produce a minimum biomass estimate of redbait in the ZASPF.
Final report
Aquafin CRC - Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram: establishment of challenge for AGD
Project number:
2004-215
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$652,222.00
Principal Investigator:
Barbara Nowak
Organisation:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Project start/end date:
16 Jun 2004
-
31 Jul 2008
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Strategic plan
This proposal is part of the FRDC Industry Development Program, Strategy – Aquaculture Development – Production and Production Systems. The project includes a technician and a postdoctoral research fellow (Dr Philip Crosbie) as co-investigator and they will both be provided with suitable professional development opportunities through the Education Program of the Aquafin CRC. Later in the project it may be possible to adopt a PhD student with an independent scholarship or include Honours and Masters projects as they are required and become available. Thus, the project will contribute to the Human Capital Development Program, Leadership and Vocational Development. This proposal includes several key research areas outlined in the Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram Strategic R&D Plan, namely the Nature of disease and host-pathogen interactions and Training and capacity building. Relevant priorities being: to provide improved knowledge of the biology of disease agents (in this case the AGD-causing organism), and an improved knowledge of host responses to disease agents which will be partially addressed by monitoring the specific antibody response to N. pemaquidensis antigens (Nature of disease and host-pathogen interactions). Both the research and service components of this proposal will expand the technical skill base in aquatic animal health and facilitate R&D knowledge transfer (Training and capacity building). This project will underpin other projects that contribute to the Aquafin CRC Health Program Outcomes ie. reduced economic impact of disease (AGD) in finfish (Atlantic salmon) farming.
Need for this research
The continued existence of Atlantic salmon farming in Tasmania is threatened by AGD. Production is expected to increase over the next few years and this will undoubtedly lead to an increase in the incidence of AGD. The AGD control method of freshwater bathing has increased in frequency with the growth in production over the past few years and this trend is expected to continue. This will present a growing cost burden to salmon growers, it is therefore imperative that the impact of AGD on the industry be reduced so as to maintain viability for the future. Multidisciplinary teams have been assembled to achieve this outcome via a number of projects. The projects are complementary and in some cases interdependent where progress in one area is dependent on progress in another area. This is particularly the case with the service component of the current proposal and the vaccine development program, where supply of infective material and a means of controlled testing of candidate vaccines are integral to success. Vaccine development requires identification of specific antigens from the pathogen that will elicit a protective immune response in the host, hence the need for significant quantities of infective material. Similarly, success of the treatment of AGD investigation is dependent on supply of cells for initial screening of a battery of potential therapeutants in vitro before attempting field trials. The research component of the proposal, which is the development of a standard AGD challenge method that can be used in experimental tanks, is essential for the success of these projects. We need to be able to consistently induce AGD in fish to economically appraise alternative treatments and candidate vaccines before moving onto costly field trials. Inducing experimental infections is widely recognised as one of the cornerstones of vaccine development (Nordmo, 1996).
Benefits
The major benefit will be enabling progress in the vaccine development and alternative treatment projects to be made. We will have in place a model to economically appraise novel treatments, experimental vaccines and other less specific means of prophylaxis such as immunomodulation. Ultimately the project will contribute to a collective outcome of lessening the impact of AGD on salmon producers and reducing the estimated 10-20% of production costs that is currently spent controlling the disease. Other benefits include a better understanding of risk factors contributing to AGD, and the opportunity to investigate the virulence mechanisms of the organism. Overall the project will contribute to research output and service. The systematic development and subsequent use of challenge models will yield publishable material. The service aspect will be in the supply of amoebae to collaborators and provision of a means to test novel therapeutants, experimental vaccines and immunomodulatory compounds.
References
Nordmo, R., 1996. Strengths and Weaknesses of Different Challenge Methods. In: Fish Vaccinology (ed. By Gudding, R., Lillehaug, A., Midtlyng, P.J. and Brown, F.) Developments in Biological Standardisation. Basel, Karger p 303-309
1. Standardisation of AGD challenge models (research)
2. Use of challenge to appraise trial vaccines developed in the vaccine development project (essential service)
3. Provision of gill-associated and cultured amoebae to collaborators (essential service)
4. Cryopreservation of virulent amoebae (research)
5. Maintenance of infection tank (essential service)
6. Provision of freshwater salmon for experiments in other projects (essential service)
Final report
ISBN:
978-1-86295-460-1
Author:
Barbara Nowak
Final Report
•
2008-10-20
•
1.35 MB
2004-215-DLD.pdf
This project has increased our knowledge of Amoebic Gill Disease, in particular about the pathogen and the dynamics of infection. We have described a new species of neoparamoeba, Neoparamoeba perurans, and showed that it has been consistently associated with AGD worldwide. Stocking density, acclimation to sea water and amoeba batch variability affected AGD infections. During this project challenge protocols were developed, which have been successfully used and their results correlated well with field challenge. This project provided crucial support for all AGD research through provision of amoebae and salmon for all AGD projects and running experimental challenges for trial vaccines.
The main objectives of this project were to provide essential service for AGD research. During this project we standardised existing AGD challenge protocol and developed a new in vivo gill attachment challenge assay. Both challenge protocols have been successfully applied in AGD research. Research on virulent amoebae resulted in a description of a new species, which consequently has been shown to be involved in all AGD cases worldwide. This discovery led to the development of new diagnostic tests, which are now available for confirmation of AGD infections and further research.
In conclusion, this project has not only provided essential support for all AGD research by supplying amoebae and salmon and running AGD challenges for the experimental vaccines, but also increased our knowledge and understanding of AGD.
Keywords: Amoebic Gill Disease, salmon, aquaculture.
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2004-071
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
National Strategy for the Survival of Released Line Caught Fish: maximising post-release survival of line caught flathead taken in sheltered coastal waters
Flathead represent the largest catch of any fish group taken by recreational fishers in Australia and, after bream, account for the greatest numbers of fish released by recreational fishers (National Recreational Fishing Survey). Flathead are taken around Australia, with catches concentrated...
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Aquafin CRC - Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram: use of immunomodulation to improve fish performance in Australian temperate water finfish aquaculture
Project number:
2004-210
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$288,959.00
Principal Investigator:
Barbara Nowak
Organisation:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Project start/end date:
16 Jun 2004
-
30 Jun 2008
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Strategic plan
This proposal is part of FRDC Industry Development Program, Strategy - Aquaculture development - production and production systems. However, it also has strong capacity building elements, including training of at least one PhD student in the area of fish health/immunology and providing workshops for industry and researchers (Use of immunostimulants in finfish culture, Immune response in fish). It provides leadership development by having a full time young researcher (CI - Dr Richard Morrison) working on this project. Thus, this proposal will significantly contribute to Human Capital Development Program, Leadership and Vocational Development. Improved knowledge of immune response and immunomodulators was identified as one of the key research areas for aquatic animal health in Research and Development Plan Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram. Priorities covered by this key research area included immunology in aquatic vertebrates (nature of disease and host-pathogen interactions), immunomodulators (aquatic animal health management) and development of tools for immune status monitoring as a means of implementing health management strategies (surveillance and monitoring). All three elements are included in this proposal. This proposal is consistent with R&D plans for Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram and with Aquafin CRC AGD research program. It also addresses targeted priority: fish health, within Program 2: Industry Development, Key R&D issues for fisheries and aquaculture in SA, South Australia's Fisheries and Aquaculutre Research and Development Strategy 2002-2007. The research focus is within Tasmanian Fisheries and Aquaculture, Aquaculture Strategic Research Plan 1999-2004. This proposal fits well into Aquafin CRC strategy and mission by significant contribution of its outcomes to achieving sustainable aquaculture in Australia through reduction of economic impact of diseases in farmed fish, development of environmentally friendly approaches to disease management and training aquaculture industry and researchers in the fields of fish immunology.
Need for research
It is impossible to prevent the presence of pathogens in aquaculture systems, particularly in sea-cage grow-out. Most disease outbreaks occur when there is an interaction between pathogens and susceptible fish (for example immunocompromised fish due to stress). This will result in lowering the performance of the fish and possibly mortalities. Sustainable aquaculture of finfish requires lowering the risk of disease outbreaks and replacing disease treatment with control strategies. The use of immunomodulators is essential to achieve these goals, in particular in times of increased disease risk or reduced immunocompetence. Our understanding of host-pathogen interactions and immune response allows for the use of appropriate immunomodulators. For example, if a disease is caused by overreaction of the inflammatory response, traditional immunostimulants will not improve the outcomes. Similarly, there is a need to determine correct timing and dose for immunomodulation in mariculture. Improved immune response would improve fish performance during grow-out.
Importantly immunomodulators are natural products that are derived from microbes, thus avoiding the use of chemical products. Commerical immunomodulators have been successfully used in aquaculture worldwide however only experimentally in Australia. For example oral immunomodulators MicroVital significantly increases survival rates of Atlantic salmon following Vibrosis challenge and 32% gain in survival rates of salmon fed natural immunomodulators (ß glucans and nucleotides) following exposure to IPN (exotic viral disease) challenge has been achieved in trials in Norway. However, there is little information available for fish species other than salmon or diseases other than commercially important in Northern Hemisphere. There is a need to develop immunomodulation strategies that are directly applicable to Australian mariculture, either specific for our species or diseases affecting Australian aquaculture industry (for example Amoebic Gill Disease) or unique conditions such as water temperatures.
Benefits
For Atlantic salmon we will address AGD management by investigation of immunomodulators. AGD is the main health problem for salmon industry and successful use of immunomodulation could provide an answer, particularly in combination with other management strategies.
This project is generic and the benefits are not limited to the species we will use as a model in our investigation. Other finfish aquaculture industries will also benefit from training and workshops provided by this project.
1. Evaluate use of immunostimulants for control of AGD of Atlantic salmon.
2. Investigate role of inflammation in AGD of Atlantic salmon.
3. Test effectiveness of vaccination against AGD using crude or partially purified antigens.
Final report
ISBN:
978-1-86295-436-6
Author:
Barbara Nowak
Final Report
•
2008-04-14
•
1.03 MB
2004-210-DLD.pdf
Before this project our knowledge of immune response in Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD) was fundamentally limited and more information was required to assess the potential for immunomodulators in the management of AGD.
We confirmed that injection of bacterial DNA motif (CpG oligonucleotides) six days before AGD challenge can offer signficant protection to Atlantic salmon (relative percent survival up to 52.5%). However, there was no effect if the fish were challenged immediately post injection with bacterial DNA. This suggests that while there is a potential benefit from the use of immunostimulants, their application is limited because their efficacy is directly linked to the timing of an outbreak, which can be unpredictable in the field. While fish which survived an initial AGD episode show increased resistance to subsequent AGD infection, in contrast to some diseases this effect cannot be simply explained by the presence of antibodies. The duration of exposure (or number of exposures) appears to be important for the development of serum antibodies. Mucus antibodies could not be detected in Atlantic salmon that survived AGD challenge. Microarray experiments and further gene expression studies suggested that there is a loss of cell-cycle control in AGD lesions. Furthermore, immune pathways are affected since the down-stream effect(s) of the initial inflammatory signals were not detectable. It is possible that this significantly contributes to the extremely high rate of mortality in unmitigated AGD epizootics.
While we have achieved our objectives and answered many of the original questions, new issues have emerged from our research. These include a lack of understanding of the mechanisms of inhibition of inflammatory and immune pathways, significance of antibody response (if any) in AGD, and the potential for vaccine antigen discovery through the use of anti-peptide antibody. The presence and role of a more localised antibody response in the gill mucus or epithelium (currently undetectable) warrants further investigation.
In conclusion, we now have a better understanding of AGD pathogenesis and the reasons why the host immune response is ineffective in this disease. In particular, we have shown that immune pathways are inhibited in Atlantic salmon affected by AGD.
Keywords: Amoebic Gill Disease, salmon, aquaculture, immunostimulants, inflamation, gene expression, transcriptome analysis.
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