The need to reduce reliance of aquaculture industries on fish based protein resources has long been recognized as an important issue. Notably the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation have given this issue such importance it is rated among their 9 key challenges to address in the 2000 – 2005 Research and Development Plan. Substantial work has already been undertaken to address this challenge over the past 10 years. Notably, recent developments have seen the increased adoption of some grain based alternatives being used by the aquaculture feed manufacturing industries. Lupin kernel meal use by this sector in particular is a prominent success story.

As the aquaculture feed industries begin to increase their use of alternative protein resources, such as lupin kernel meals, it becomes increasingly important to develop quality assurance (QA) assessment criteria for specific feed ingredients. The nature of these criteria will vary depending on the end use of the product. An improved understanding of the nutritional value and functional properties of the ingredients is also required to maximize the use of these ingredients by these industries and to begin the QA criteria development process.

Presently the extruded fin-fish feed sector (primarily salmonid feeds) is the largest aquaculture user of value-added grain products in Australia. However, it is apparent that further development of market confidence, through resolution of some of the nutritional value assessment and processing issues, is required for some additional aquaculture sectors (e.g. prawns) to encourage routine use of these products and work addressing these issues is planned in this proposal.

Furthermore, exploration of new product possibilities has already begun in the GRDC project with the development of a series of very promising lupin protein concentrates. However, further evaluation of the potential and constraints for the use of these new and innovative products within aquaculture feeds is needed and additional evaluation in Atlantic salmon and prawns is required.

Even when using a 4-hexylresorcinol dip the protection provided is not uniform (Guandalini et al., 1998). The residue from a once off dip drops rapidly over a number of days storage. The authors found that towards the end of organoleptic acceptability 20-30% of prawns were unaffected by blackspot. This researcher noted similar uneven blackspot development during storage (Slattery et al., 1995). This outcome is obviously due to uneven exposure and retention of the limited amount of 4-hexylresorcinol that a quick dip in a solution of the chemical can supply.

There is limited information on the effect of longer term treatment with 4-hexylresorcinol but only at the same concentration as the short dip (Iyengar et al., 1991 and Slattery et al., 1995). Providing industry with this type of information will lead to more adoption of a safer chemical and less chemical treatment of prawns.

Unlike Australia, many importing countries have defined residue limits which the product has to comply with. It is unknown what residues are likely from any long term exposure. The only information available is from a one hour dip of live prawns in the standard concentration which resulted in very high residues.

A range of methods of using Everfresh that will provide good protection from blackspot, yet result in low residues, is needed by the prawn industry. This research will assist the APFA Tactical R&D Plan by increasing profitability through reduced usage and wastage of expensive chemicals. The QSMA have been trying to convince the wild capture prawn industry to adopt the use of Everfresh for some time. This work would meet ASIC concerns for quality and safety of seafood. This project also complies with the SSA Plans for Seafood Quality and Safety in Segment 3.

Few major disease incidents have occurred in Australian aquaculture and fisheries, and as a result, State/Territory departments and industries have relatively little experience in incident management for emergency diseases.

The recent white spot virus incident and subsequent survey has highlighted the need to have strategies in place to enable a swift and effective response to a suspect emergency disease incursion to rapidly contain an infectious disease agent.

Effective responses to emergency disease outbreaks require emergency disease planning at national, state/territory, district and industry/farm level and the involvement of animal health and fisheries authorities, emergency management organisations and the private sector. For the terrestrial animal sector, the basis for this planning is contained in the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan, AUSVETPLAN, which is a series of technical response plans that describe the proposed Australian approach to an emergency disease incursion. The documents provide guidance based on sound analysis, linking policy, strategies, implementation, coordination and emergency-management plans.

Based on AUSVETPLAN model, the AQUAVETPLAN is currently being developed as a series of manuals and operational instruments which outline methods and protocols to manage emergency disease outbreaks in aquatic animals in Australia. Some manuals have been published (AQUAVETPLAN Enterprise Manuals; AQUAVETPLAN Furunculosis Disease Strategy; Australian Aquatic Animal Disease Field Identification Guide), and others are at various stages of endorsement (AQUAVETPLAN Control Centre Manual; AQUAVETPLAN Disposal and Destruction Manuals). Following a detailed process of government and industry consultation, the development of a Disease Strategy Manual for White Spot Disease has recently been identified as a key need to improve Australia’s preparedness in the event of emergency disease incursions.