Population genomic assessment of Australian Blacklip Abalone for abalone viral ganglioneuritis (AVG) resistance
AVG remains the greatest threat to the economic viability and stability of the abalone industry in south-eastern Australia. As a consequence, there is an urgent need for strategic research aimed at determining the likely vulnerability of fisheries to future AVG outbreaks and providing managers with the necessary tools for biosecuring wild and farmed stocks at regional, state and national scales.
The fact that some animals from AVG affected wild stocks survived the disease outbreak suggests they were either fortunate enough to have avoided coming into contact with the virus or are genetically resistant to the disease. A research program aimed at characterising AVG resistance in Australian wild abalone fisheries is expected to provide benefits to wild and farm fisheries at a national scale. If AVG resistance is present in wild abalone stocks, and its genetic basis can be characterised, there will be unique opportunities to:
1) Rapidly and cost-effectively screen stocks across all wild fisheries to determine the spatial prevalence of resistant genotypes and to gain an understanding of how biosecure wild abalone stocks are likely to be in the event of AVG re-emergence
2) Biosecure wild stocks through the movement of animals from ‘AVG resistant’ to ‘AVG vulnerable’ stocks as part of future restocking and translocation activities
3) Biosecure farm stocks across all states of Australia through the establishment of an AVG resistance breeding program
This project involves a direct partnership with AAGA, ACA and VFA and is expected to provide much needed insights into the vulnerability of abalone stocks to future AVG outbreaks, and the tools needed to bolster the biosecurity of wild and farmed abalone stocks. As a result, this project has the potential to dramatically improve the economic viability of this rapidly expanding industry.
Final report
characterised, there may be opportunities to:
1) Improve industry knowledge of the mechanisms for animal persistence in virus affected Abalone fisheries and on the resilience of Abalone fisheries to environmental change;
2) Screen wild fishing stocks across all wild fisheries to determine the spatial prevalence of resistant genotypes and to help identify stocks are likely to be resilient or vulnerable to AVG reemergence;
3) Explore options for biosecuring wild stocks through the movement of AVG resistant genotypes to ‘AVG vulnerable’ stocks as part of future restocking and translocation activities; and
4) Establish AVG resistant breeding lines for biosecuring farm stocks across all states of Australia.
In this study we performed a genome wide association study on the Blacklip Abalone (Haliotis rubra) using pooled whole genome re-sequencing data from 343 H. rubra specimens representing 14 Victorian fishing stocks varying in historical AVG exposure. Analyses identified approximately 25,000 SNP loci associated with AVG exposure, many of which mapped to genes known to be involved in herpesvirus response pathways and general virus-host interactions in Haliotids and other animal systems. Most notably, candidate loci mapped to 24 genes known to be associated with Haliotid herpesvirus-1 (HaHV-1)
immunity in the New Zealand pāua (H. iris). Experimental trials are now needed to validate if, and how much, resistance is determined by the candidate genotypes identified in this study before the industry can harness them for management purposes with confidence. This study provides the first line of
evidence of genetic changes and adaptive responses in AVG affected H. rubra fisheries. These findings have potential implications for future management which are discussed in detail but will require further investigation.
Testing established methods of early prediction of genetic merit in abalone broodstock
Seafood CRC: Extending biotoxin capability and research in Australia through development of an experimental biotoxin contamination facility to target industry relevant issues
National People Development: Membership of PIEFA to support and encourage the teaching and learning in Australian schools of information related to the Australian Fishing Industry
Management of Australian Abalone Growers Association's RD&E portfolio
FRDC has recently devolved responsibility for strategic priorities and direction to industry. Consequently the functions described in this application are needed to plan and manage AAGA's RD&E portfolio in partnership with FRDC to ensure that research continues to provide results that address
key priority areas of the industry. Specifically the functions needed to achieve this are:
a) Develop collaborations with R&D agencies to assist development of RD&E projects needed to address issues described in the AAGA Strategic Plan 2015-2020, including:
(i) Sustainable development of the industry;
(ii) Maintaining and enhancing biosecurity and abalone health;
(iii) An emphasis on abalone health via nutrition;
(iv) Increases in production efficiency and profitability;
(v) Enhanced market development of quality abalone products;
(vi) Improved human capacity, safety and training
b) Ensure effective and rapid dissemination, extension and uptake of the outcomes of R&D to AAGA members.
c) Identify alternative sources of funding that can be accessed through co-investment in additional RD&E projects to achieve greater outcomes for the farmed abalone industry.
Final report
During the five years 15 abalone and related R&D projects were conducted with $853,000 contributed via the IPA and considerably more from research institutions and in kind from farms and other participants including feed manufacturers. Projects supported by the IPA were consistent with the priorities in the AAGA Strategic Plan 2015-2020. Ten of the 15 projects are now complete, or near completion. All the projects have delivered benefits to the industry.
Nutrition has long been and will continue to be a focus for AAGA R&D.
Knowledge of abalone genetics including the genetic pool on farms and the nature of abalone responses to AVG and to higher summer water temperatures will aid selective breeding.
Improvements to biosecurity and vigilant surveillance has resulted in robust on farm biosecurity plans and no disease outbreaks on farms.
During this project AAGA developed a new strategic plan that will guide research in a new IPA to cover the period from 2020 – 2025 was completed. Significant outcomes from the new Strategic Plan include:
• The need for stronger links between nutrition and genetic selection especially in response to warming waters.
• The need to develop and embrace AI and mechanisation to improve labour efficiencies and invest in our labour force to provide improved quality employment opportunities.
• Recognition that additional funding for R&D will need to be sourced.