689 results
Industry
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 1998-212
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Determination of the disease status of Western Australian commercial prawn stocks

There is little published information on the disease status of the prawns on the north-west shelf, yet these prawns (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis, Metapenaeus endeavouri, Penaeus esculentus and Melicertus latisulcatus) form the basis of a commercial fishery worth in excess of A$42 million in...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) WA
SPECIES
People
Environment
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 1981-020
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Investigations into QX disease in oysters and other problems associated with marine parasites

This long running FIRTA grant supported a center in Australia for research, consultancy and training on parasites and diseases important to the fishing industry. The center was established by FIRTA in 1977. During the life of FIRC 1981-020 many industry problems were successfully...
ORGANISATION:
University of Queensland (UQ)

Selective breeding for disease resistance and fast growth in Sydney rock oysters

Project number: 1996-357
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $332,308.00
Principal Investigator: John Nell
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW)
Project start/end date: 27 Feb 1997 - 18 Mar 2004
Contact:
FRDC

Need

The NSW oyster industry has suffered from QX disease and winter mortality for a very long time. It has responded to these disease challenges by vacating affected leases seasonally or in the case of Georges River by abondoning the infested part of the estuary. The history of inter-estuary transfer of oysters for on-growing has not allowed the development of resistant strains in NSW. However, if resistant strains of oysters are not developed, the industry will have no better management tool available in future than that used in the past, ie moving or selling oysters before a disease outbreak is expected or abondoning oyster leases.

If the opportunity for breeding QX disease resistance in Sydney rock oysters is not taken up, a unique opportunity will be lost, to use breeding lines previously selected for fast growth in the selection for disease resistance. It is important that breeding for QX resistance begins now, before another estuary is infested with this parasite. In Georges River, the industry responded to the QX outbreak by abandoning affected leases.

Growth rates in Sydney rock oysters have been improved by an average of 4% for the first generation of selection in Port Stephens. Now the initial progress has been made and four breeding lines are established, it is important that the momentum is maintained and selective breeding for fast growth is continued. The growth rate of the Port Stephens selection lines can be increased by 4% for each successive generation.

Growth rates in Sydney rock oysters can be improved by both selective breeding (an average of 4% faster growth for the first generation of selection) and triploidy (30-40% faster growth). However, triploids have not previously been produced from improved breeding lines. It is important to determine if improvements in growth rates by these two methods are additive. For example with triploids produced from improved breeding lines, a 30% increase in growth rate with triploidy plus another 8% for two generations of selective breeding may increase growth rates of oysters by 38%.

Objectives

1. Evaluation of the resistance of fourth selected generation Georges River oysters to QX disease and winter mortality against controls
2. Evaluation of the growth rate of fourth selected generation Port Stephens selection line diploids and triploids against non-selected diploid and triploid controls

Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: viral encephalopathy and retinopathy, a disease strategy manual

Project number: 2002-643
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $30,000.00
Principal Investigator: Richard Miller
Organisation: IDEXX/VPS
Project start/end date: 28 Jun 2002 - 30 Jun 2007
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Barramundi are an important aquaculture species with total production predicted to exceed 1000 tonnes within the next few years. Grouper culture is only just being developed but these fish are greatly sought for the live fish trade and as a result wild stocks are becoming depleted. However, outbreaks of VER in hatcheries and growout facilities can lead to catastrophic losses and the expected increases in production will not occur unless practicable and efficacious control programs are available and in place.
Striped trumpeter culture is still at the develoment stage but already an outbreak of VER has resulted in significant losses of valuable juveniles.

The disease control program needs to be acceptable to all stakeholders, especially State and Territory authorities so that uniformity in control procedures is ensured. At present differing requirements between authorities reduces their abilities to adequately control VER.

Objectives

1. The objective is to produce a manual which will provide information that will enhance the capabilities of industry and government to quickly and effectively respond to outbreaks of VER.
2. To develop a consensus between governments and industry on a preferred control policy for this disease.

Final report

ISBN: 0646428896
Author: Richard Miller
Final Report • 2004-02-17 • 864.87 KB
2002-643-DLD.pdf

Summary

The disease strategy manual for VER reviews the relevant scientific literature on an economically important aquatic viral disease. A description of the disease with special emphasis on Australian fin fish species reveals significant disease in farmed barramundi and significant potential for disease in species such as grouper and striped trumpeter with farming potential.

The general principals of control and eradication are reviewed. Various strategies outlined in the manual will enhance the capabilities of industry and government to quickly and effectively respond to outbreaks of VER.

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