PROJECT NUMBER
•
2024-011
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
ORGANISATION:
Queensland Sea Cucumber Association
SPECIES
24 results
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2023-156
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
ORGANISATION:
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (NT)
TAGS
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2022-084
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
ORGANISATION:
3 Sticks Pty Ltd
SPECIES
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2019-124
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
Shared science and Indigenous knowledge to support fisheries capacity building in Torres Strait
This report presents the results of a collaborative science capacity building project involving CSIRO researchers and Torres Strait Islander Fishing Industry representatives. Project participants worked together in the development and delivery of science capacity building programs tailored to each...
ORGANISATION:
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart
SPECIES
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2017-100
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
ORGANISATION:
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
TSRA: Assessing direct export feasibility, marketing and branding opportunities for Torres Strait Fisheries derived products
Project number:
2016-244
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$219,360.00
Principal Investigator:
Emily A. Mantilla
Organisation:
Honey and Fox Pty Ltd
Project start/end date:
31 Oct 2016
-
30 Jul 2018
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
The TSRA, working with Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal fishers and communities, seeks to identify viable options for direct exports and brand differentiation.
A key barrier to development of fisheries in the region is the additional cost of reaching markets and the cost of doing business from a remote location. Currently, export of fisheries-derived products is primarily through Cairns, the costs of which appear to erode the competitiveness of Torres Strait product.
Research is needed to identify the legislative, administrative and infrastructure requirements for direct export from the Torres Strait, and the key export market opportunities that could be met by Torres Strait-derived products. The research will need to assess whether direct export is feasible compared to the status quo.
Competitive access to viable markets, including export markets, as well as the identification of unique market differentiation strategies may provide opportunities to improve the profitability of the products (increase prices and potentially improve market access), thereby having a positive socio-economic flow on effect to the Traditional Inhabitants of the region and the associated communities.
The scope of the project will include:
• Developing a stakeholder engagement and consultation plan and implementing consultation activities that respect the cultural values and communication protocols of Torres Strait Fishery participants
• Conducting market research to identify product/export market opportunities and to identify what makes the Torres Strait products different (unique features, “the special story”, identification of drivers and the barriers)
• Undertaking a cost/benefit analysis of direct export from the Torres Strait, assessing the legislative and administrative framework and the current infrastructure vs infrastructure required for direct export
• Preparing two/three marketing strategy options with a recommendation as to which strategy would be the best to implement and why (marketing strategy framework).
• Preparing a fully costed and budgeted brand communication implementation plan
1. To develop a viable marketing and brand strategy option with implementation examples for execution that may improve the profitability of TSF products
2. To take the stakeholders of the TSF on a marketing and branding learning journey
3. To assess the feasibility of exporting fisheries products directly from the Torres Strait
Final report
ISBN:
978-0-9876352-2-8
Authors:
Emily Mantilla
Jayne Gallagher
Helen Johnston
Claire Winkel and Ewan Colquhoun
Final Report
•
2019-07-19
•
379.71 KB
2016-244-DLD.pdf
Commercial fishing is an economically important activity in the Torres Strait providing financial opportunities for the traditional inhabitants of the region. A key barrier to development of this fishery has been identified as the additional cost of reaching markets and the cost of doing business from a remote location. Currently, export of fisheries-derived products is primarily through Cairns, the costs of which appear to erode the competitiveness of Torres Strait product.
The TSRA, working with Torres Strait Islander fishers and communities, wanted to identify viable options for direct exports and brand differentiation.
Production of a Sea Cucumber product processing training video for Torres Strait communities
Project number:
2014-409
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$20,000.00
Principal Investigator:
Kenny Bedford
Organisation:
My Pathway
Project start/end date:
28 Feb 2015
-
29 Jun 2015
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
The project will see the development of a training DVD to educate fishers about the management and best practice identification, handling and processing techniques for achieving optimum quality and price for the higher value species of beche-de-mer.
1. To develop a training video to educate fishers in Torres Strait communities about the procedures required to process sea Cucumber to optimise commercial value
Media
Author:
Kenny Bedford
Media
•
2015-11-12
FRDC Research Project 2014-409, Production of a Sea Cucumber Product Processing Training Video for Torres Strait Communities, was developed to educate fishers about the management and best practice identification, handling and processing techniques for achieving optimum quality and price for the higher value species of beche-de-mer.
Project products
SCRC: Defining the legacy from the CRC's research in Future Harvest
Project number:
2012-739
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$0.00
Principal Investigator:
Ian Cartwright
Organisation:
Thalassa Consulting
Project start/end date:
31 Aug 2012
-
7 Feb 2013
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
The CRC has to date committed investment of $6.7M into research projects in its Future Harvest research theme which is broadly addressing the issue of fishing for profit targeting two major outputs within Program 1.
These two major outputs are:
1. Bioeconomic modelling for improved economic efficiency and the development of decision support tools.
Projects are underway in several key fisheries with key participants (SRL, ACA, WRL, Moreton Bay Trawl and the SA Prawn Trawl). This research engages with the leading national specialists in fisheries bioeconomic modelling and key industry stakeholders.
2. Stock enhancement (including ranching and translocation).
Projects in this area are focused on stock enhancement and stock recovery in abalone (WA), sea cucumber ranching (NT) and rock lobster translocation (Tas).
There are three additional projects slightly outside these main areas of focus. Each of these projects will deliver defined outputs and will target enhanced economic and efficiency outcomes in each fishery. However, it is unclear whether there is more that the CRC can achieve to deliver wider outcomes (for example, wider adoption of targets in fisheries governance based on economic theory, or the application of bioeconomic modelling in decision rules setting processes).
There is a need to review the proposed pathways to adoption of the outputs of the CRC projects and identify whether there are broader outcomes that the CRC can facilitate, the processes whereby these could be achieved and the principal constraints to this achievement.
Final report
ISBN:
978-0-9756044-4-1
Author:
Ian Cartwright and Caleb Gardner
Final Report
•
2012-11-12
•
732.51 KB
2012-739-DLD.pdf
As at March 2013 the Seafood CRC had invested $6.79 million into research projects in its Future Harvest research theme to broadly address the issue of ‘fishing for profit’. The overall outcome and benefit of this legacy project is the improved application of research from the Future Harvest (FH) theme and a legacy that outlasts the CRC. The objectives of the project were:
- to determine how the extension and adoption of projects can be improved;
- to determine the extent of cultural change in Australian fisheries with willingness to consider / use enhancement and bioeconomic modelling - and how this willingness can be increased; and
- to identify any constraints to the achievement of CRC outcomes and proposed strategies to address these.
As at March 2013 the Seafood CRC had invested $6.79 million into research projects in its Future Harvest research theme to broadly address the issue of ‘fishing for profit’. The overall outcome and benefit of this legacy project is the improved application of research from the Future Harvest (FH) theme and a legacy that outlasts the CRC. The objectives of the project were:
- to determine how the extension and adoption of projects can be improved;
- to determine the extent of cultural change in Australian fisheries with willingness to consider / use enhancement and bioeconomic modelling - and how this willingness can be increased; and
- to identify any constraints to the achievement of CRC outcomes and proposed strategies to address these.
SCRC: Optimising Industry Adoption: Case Studies on the Efficacy of Current Australian Seafood CRC Research Extension Processes
Project number:
2012-731
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$0.00
Principal Investigator:
Anni Conn
Organisation:
Conn and Associates
Project start/end date:
31 May 2012
-
31 May 2013
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
The application relates to Seafood CRC Program 3 Education and Training.
This project directly satisfies an overdue milestone in program 3 in the commonwealth agreement: Milestone 3.2.3 Case studies illustrating industry application of outputs from Research Program 1 completed
There is a distinct need for evaluation of the effectiveness of current Seafood CRC research extension practices and tools in order to understand how the extension pathways utilised by researchers have impacted upon industry adoption of research outputs.
This project will assist in identifying the strategies and processes utilised in the extension, education and training of research outcomes, will highlight the associated challenges and successes encountered during industry application of research outputs and will provide an insight into potential solutions and alternative strategies for future seafood industry research extension programs.
Final report
ISBN:
978-1-925982-97-8
Author:
Anni Conn
Final Report
•
2013-06-01
•
1.22 MB
2012-731-DLD.pdf
The aim of this study was to assist in identifying the strategies and processes utilised in the extension, education and training of Seafood CRC research outcomes and to highlight the associated challenges and successes encountered during industry application of Seafood CRC facilitated research project outputs.
A series of case studies were carried out on four unique Seafood CRC Program 1 (Production Innovation) research projects, specifically focusing on the extension processes and strategies used in each and the subsequent level of industry adoption.
The most commonly identified research and development extension and adoption strategies, recognised as being effective by the interviewees from all four projects are as follows:
- Prioritising of commercial outcomes by research provider.
- Research direction and process driven by industry participant / participants
- Simple working / communication structure such as one research provider – one industry partner.
- Pre-existing, solid, respect based relationship between research provider and industry participant / participants.
- No obstacles between researcher, industry partner and adoption.
- Fostering of research ownership by the industry partner / industry participants.
- Research, development and extension process not bound up in policies or process.
- Willingness to share IP and an open door policy to wider industry
- Effective project facilitation by Seafood CRC to underline expectations and streamline communication processes
- Ongoing face-to-face meetings between research provider and industry
- Real time communication between research provider and industry
SCRC: PDRS: Use of next generation DNA technologies for revealing the genetic impact of fisheries restocking and ranching
Project number:
2012-714
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$0.00
Principal Investigator:
Luciano Beheregaray
Organisation:
Flinders University
Project start/end date:
30 Apr 2012
-
31 Oct 2013
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Several initiatives by the Australian Seafood CRC's Future Harvest theme involve some form of stocking or enhancement of fisheries. In WA, populations of Roe's Abalone are currently being restocked after a catastrophic mortality event, while stock enhancement of Greenlip Abalone is also occurring. The CRC is also supporting translocation of Southern Rocklobster and ranching of Sea Cucumbers. In all such cases there is a need to understand the population genetic dynamics of stocked populations and the extent of genetic interactions of stocked with wild populations (Flinders has been conducting his research for sea cucumbers using the traditional microsatellite marker approach in 2008/733). Important considerations are the genetic health of individuals used as breeders, genetic structuring of source populations, effective population size, effects on inbreeding or loss of genetic diversity, recruitment and geographic spread. Molecular markers can be used to investigate these effects and guide the stocking. Genomic technologies such as GBS are rapidly developing and becoming less expensive and more useful to apply than traditional genetic approaches. These new genomic techniques that directly genotype individuals using sequence information are extremely promising as they eliminate the need for species specific marker development and could provide an efficient and comprehensive means of studying genomes at an individual and population level. Importantly, contrary to traditional genetic methods such as microsatellite surveys, new genomic techniques such as GBS might provide ways of disclosing functional genetic variation (variation that is ecologically relevant and related to the fitness of the individual) or facilitating genomic selection. Once GBS data is mapped to areas of the genome with known function, marker assisted selection for traits of importance to aquaculture becomes possible.
Here we propose engaging a post-doc that will specialise in this area and assist projects with Flinders involvement on Roe's and Greenlip Abalone in Western Australia.
Final report
ISBN:
978-0-9756044-9-6
Authors:
Jonathan Sandoval-Castillo
Nick Robinson and Luciano Beheregaray
Final Report
•
2012-07-19
•
1,006.94 KB
2012-714-DLD.pdf
Several initiatives by the Australian Seafood CRC’s Future Harvest theme involve some form of stocking or enhancement of fisheries. In Western Australia, populations of Roe’s Abalone (Haliotis roei) are currently being restocked after the occurrence of a catastrophic mortality event, while stock enhancement of Greenlip Abalone (Haliotis laevigata) is also occurring. Translocation of undersized Southern Rocklobster from deep to shallow water locations and ranching of Sea Cucumbers is also occurring. In all such cases there is a need to understand the population genetic dynamics of stocked populations and the extent of genetic interactions of stocked with wild populations. Important considerations are the genetic health of individuals used as breeders, genetic structuring of source populations for restocking, effective population size (i.e. effective number of breeders), effects on inbreeding or loss of genetic diversity, recruitment and geographic spread. Molecular markers can be used to investigate these effects and guide the stocking. Genomic technologies such as Genotyping-By-Sequencing (GBS) are rapidly developing and becoming less expensive and more useful to apply than traditional genetic approaches. Therefore, this project employed a post-doctoral researcher with the following objectives:
- Develop new expertise and transfer genomic approaches, currently used for commercially important species of the Northern hemisphere, to benefit the fisheries or aquaculture of key commercial species in Australia
- Generate and use genomic data to analyse changes and patterns in functionally relevant genetic diversity (i.e. variation related to fitness) with restocking and ranching and advise on management strategies for the species concerned
- Develop expertise in genetic management associated with enhancement and related interventions
The overall benefit of this project was to create genetically healthy/sustainable restocked populations, improve returns from ranching while having minimal impact on natural populations and maintain healthy fisheries.
Genomic sequencing techniques were developed and found to be effective for both Roe’s Abalone and Greenlip Abalone. Three genetically distinct groups of Roe’s Abalone and five genetically distinct groups of Greenlip Abalone were defined and each of these groups showed high connectivity. This information will inform management approaches to the restocking of Roe’s abalone and contribute to the stock enhancement of Greenlip Abalone in Western Australia.
Evaluating rotational harvest strategies for sea cucumber fisheries
Project number:
2012-200
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$114,379.00
Principal Investigator:
Timothy Skewes
Organisation:
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart
Project start/end date:
17 Jun 2012
-
29 Jun 2013
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
This project addresses directly a stated need in the QFRAC priorities "Determine safe levels of depletion for broadcast spawners such as sea cucumber, quantifying the effectiveness of the time limited rotational zoning fishing strategy that is currently in place." Currently, a Rotational Harvest Strategy (RHS) is a key harvest strategy to address a perceived risk of localised depletion for the EC beche-de-mer fishery. It was initiated and designed by Industry, but has never been tested. This fishery is a high profile fishery for GBRMPA and has the only fishery species closed in the GBR Marine Park (Black teatfish). Assessing the utility and optimal configuration of the RHS for mitigating localised depletion, reducing risks to overall sustainability and maximising efficiency and profits of this multispecies fishery is of interest to GBRMPA, Qld Fisheries management, other State (NT and WA) and Federal (Coral Sea, Torres Strait) fisheries, and Industry.
1. Assess the efficacy of current and alternative harvest strategies, including the Rotational Harvest Strategy (RHS), for mitigating local and population depletion risk in the Qld EC Beche-de-mer fishery.
Final report
ISBN:
978-1-4863-0105-8
Author:
Timothy Skewes
Final Report
•
2014-01-01
•
6.97 MB
2012-200-DLD.pdf
This project evaluated the benefits of a rotational harvest strategy (the Rotational Zoning Scheme - RZS) in the Queensland East Coast Sea Cucumber (Bêche-de-mer) Fishery and found that, in general, the current management arrangements result in a low risk to most fishery species and reduce the risk of localised depletion.
However, the project identified that there are still risks to some highly targeted species such as the Burrowing Blackfish (Actinopyga spinea). There are also important information gaps that should be filled.
Researchers recommended continuing with the current harvest strategy and further strengthening it. They suggested increasing rotational periodicity and a wider spread of fished zones as this is likely to reduce further the risk of localised depletion and improve the overall sustainability of the fishery.
They also recommended filling existing information gaps about species distribution and density and re-assessing these parameters regularly.
More information: Timothy Skewes timskewes@outlook.com
SCRC: Visiting Expert - Kai Lorenzen
Project number:
2011-720
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$0.00
Principal Investigator:
Anthony Hart
Organisation:
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) WA
Project start/end date:
30 Nov 2011
-
29 Jun 2012
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Professor Lorenzen is a leading expert on sustainable and responsible stock enhancement in fisheries. He has written and produced a computer simulation software that connects the biology and economics of stock enhancement (“EnhanceFish”), as well as undertaking a major policy review of the future of stock enhancement in marine fisheries, known as the “Responsible Approach” (Lorenzen et. al,. 2010).
Both of these tools are being used by the Western Australian Fisheries Department, the WA wild abalone industry, and Tasmanian Seafoods Pty Ltd to progress their business and develop their stock enhancement programmes. The policy and the economic practice of stock enhancement need to be closely linked, and Prof Lorenzen is the ideal candidate to review and optimise our bioeconomic analyses, and ensure that policy development is aligned with “worlds best” principles and practice.
Lorenzen K, Leber KM, Blankenship HL (2010). Responsible approach to marine stock enhancement: An update. Reviews in Fisheries Science, 18(2): 189-210.
Final report
ISBN:
978-1-925982-85-5
Author:
Anthony Hart
Final Report
•
2012-06-30
•
318.32 KB
2011-720-DLD-RTG.pdf
Professor Kai Lorenzen is a world-leading expert on sustainable and responsible stock enhancement in fisheries. He has written and produced a computer simulation software package (“EnhanceFish”) that connects the biology and economics of stock enhancement. Professor Lorenzen has also undertaken a major policy review of the future of stock enhancement in marine fisheries, known as the “Responsible Approach”. These two tools are both being utilised by the Department of Fisheries Western Australia, the Western Australian wild abalone industry, and Tasmanian Seafoods Pty Ltd to progress their business and develop their current stock enhancement programs.
During this project, Professor Lorenzen was able to work with government agencies, private companies and universities around Australia on various economically important fisheries that are developing stock enhancement and ranching practices. This work included presenting seminars, conducting “EnhanceFish” Master Classes, research collaboration and advising on fisheries enhancement policies.
SCRC: PhD: Broodstock conditioning and maturation of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) and optimisation of spawning induction techniques.
Project number:
2010-781
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$0.00
Principal Investigator:
Abigail Elizur
Organisation:
University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)
Project start/end date:
30 Aug 2011
-
30 Aug 2013
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Tasmanian Seafoods Pty. Ltd. aims to double the current production of sea cucumbers through ranching/stock enhancement initiatives. This commitment is demonstrated by the history of investment by TSF over the past 5 years. To ensure the commercial viability of this enterprise there are researchable constraints to be addressed. These are within the broodstock maintenance. Currently, hatchery production relies on the seasonal supply of ripe broodstock from pond facilities or the wild. Attempts to mature sandfish broodstock in tanks have so far been unsuccessful and broodstock held in tanks for periods of greater than one month have declined in condition (Morgan, 2000). Recently however, anecdotal evidence suggests that under the right conditions it is possible for adult sandfish to mature in tanks and be used for hatchery production of juvenile sandfish. Identifying the factors and requirements for the maturation of broodstock H. scabra in controlled systems could enable year round supply of eggs for hatchery production and reduce the seasonal constraints on juvenile supply for ranching and stock enhancement programs in the NT.
The success rates reported for induced spawning events for sandfish are low (0-35%) increasing around peak natural spawning times (Battaglene et al., 2002). This poses a significant economic constraint to the company’s aim to develop the capacity to produce 300,000 juveniles annually for release programs. Research into the molecular signalling and communication involved during spawning could improve induction efficiencies and may lead to the identification and development of a hormonal spawning inducer for sandfish.
Final report
Author:
Luke Harcourt Turner
Final Report
•
2013-08-13
•
3.58 MB
2010-781-DLD.pdf
This thesis reports on an investigation of brood stock conditioning methods for the tropical sea cucumber Holothuria scabra. The project aims to advance the field of sea cucumber aquaculture by developing improved methods for the conditioning and spawning of brood stock.
There is great demand for sea cucumber products and that has seen the aquaculture production of the temperate species Apostichopus japonicus increase dramatically in the last decade, surpassing capture fisheries production. This increase in aquaculture production has not been mirrored for tropical species despite established methods for hatchery production and a large market demand. With wild harvests of sea cucumber unlikely to increase there is an opportunity to develop a substantial sea cucumber aquaculture industry in Northern Australia.
Identifying the key social and economic factors for successful engagement in aquaculture ventures by indigenous communities
Project number:
2010-205
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$125,097.00
Principal Investigator:
Ann Fleming
Organisation:
Charles Darwin University (CDU)
Project start/end date:
31 Jul 2010
-
30 Jan 2014
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
This proposal aims to identify social, cultural and economic factors that might be developed and reconstructed to facilitate Indigenous engagement in sea cucumber aquaculture. Foster (1997), Carter (2001), Nikolakis (2008) and other researchers have identified social and economic factors that affect Indigenous enterprise development, but these are generic in their nature, and these factors have not been tested and validated at the community level (mostly relying on expert interviews and documentary analyses) nor during a specific application such as the establishment of a sea cucumber ranching enterprise. As such this proposal will draw on previous research to develop key themes, test these themes, and propose more workable models to Indigenous engagement in sea cucumber aquaculture.
The aquaculture sector is highly relevant to the continuing investment and need for sustainable enterprise models for indigenous sea owners. This project is strongly related and interlinked to the proposal by the Fisheries Unit of the NT government which seeks to conduct a scoping study of options for an Indigenous “centre of excellence” to facilitate promotion and engagement by Indigenous people in fisheries co-management enterprises.
1. • conduct an analysis of key factors driving successes and creating barriers in past aquaculture ventures on Indigenous communities.
2. • identify key factors for success in implementing a socially and economically viable trepang ranching industry across NT Indigenous communities.
3. • develop a framework and associated models to inform agencies and Indigenous people where effort should be placed to develop capacity of Indigenous people and communities to engage in and benefit from aquaculture enterprises.
Final report
Seafood CRC: dried WA seafood products for the Asian market: a pilot study
Project number:
2009-773
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$53,044.80
Principal Investigator:
Janet Howieson
Organisation:
Curtin University
Project start/end date:
29 Apr 2010
-
29 Apr 2011
Contact:
FRDC
There is a demand for dried seafood product for the Asian market. Development of such a suite of products would increase the market opportunities available to WA seafood producers, expand the types of seafood that can be produced in a commercially viable manner and counteract the challenges of distance by extending shelf-life. Regional development opportunities for seafood processing capability may also be realized.
1. Assess the technical viability of producing dried seafood products from a variety of WA seafood products.
2. Establish quality assured processes to produce market ready dried WA seafood products.
Final report
Authors:
Dr Janet Howieson
Dr Guan Tay
Mr Steve Iaschi
Mr Karl
Hansal and Dr Wendy Newton
Final Report
•
2013-12-04
•
13.01 MB
2009-773-DLD (1).pdf
In 2009 Kingsun Bioscience Company, an international company with interests in the Japanese and Asian markets expressed an interest in investigating the possibility of drying WA seafood products for sale on the Asian market. WA seafood products of interest were those from sustainably managed fisheries with selection supported by market research.
Kingsun Bioscience Company Limited has the exclusive license to commercialise this technology outside Japan. The technology involves production of a vacuum state. In this vacuum, evaporation can be achieved at ambient temperatures. A significant advantage of ambient air drying is that the structure of proteins remains intact and is not denatured by heat. Furthermore, the flavour profile of the seafood is not compromised by a high temperature cooking process. Previous studies have shown that the colour, shape and active nutrient components of plant and animal products are retained during this innovative drying process.
SCRC: Propagation and sea-based growout of sea cucumber stocks in the Northern Territory
Project number:
2009-744.10
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$0.00
Principal Investigator:
William Bowman
Organisation:
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (NT)
Project start/end date:
30 Jun 2010
-
30 Mar 2014
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
SCRC: Propagation and sea-based growout of sea cucumber stocks in the Northern Territory
Project number:
2009-744
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$0.00
Principal Investigator:
Luke Turner
Organisation:
Tasmanian Seafoods Pty Ltd Smithton
Project start/end date:
29 Jun 2010
-
30 Mar 2014
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
TSF holds all NT commercial sandfish licenses. TSF aims to double the current production of sea cucumbers through ranching/stock enhancement initiatives. This commitment is demonstrated by the history of investment by TSF over the past 5 years. Two millions dollars has been spent in developing commercial-scale hatchery capacity at the DAC and nursery capacity at a pond-based facility nearby. To ensure the commercial viability of this enterprise there are researchable constraints to be addressed. These are within the area of hatchery and nursery production efficiency and ranching methodologies.
Considerable work has been published on suitable methodologies for the hatchery production of sandfish (Agudo 2006). However, much of this work has been developed by hatcheries in the Asia-Pacific region where methods achieve 5-10% survival from egg to settlement.
TSF has conducted a series of semi-commercial production runs using methodologies developed in the Asia-Pacific and achieved only 5-10% survival. This poses a significant economic constraint to the company’s aim to develop the capacity to produce 300,000 juveniles annually for release programs. A target of 30% survival has been set.
Nursery production is currently a bottleneck and is labour intensive. The area required per juvenile for optimal growth means that an extensive methodology has been adopted in developing countries. This involves either holding animals in fine mesh pens that float in ponds or growing juveniles out in the larval tanks. Maintenance is labour intensive, difficult to monitor and survival is low. In addition, significant mortality occurs during the transfer of juveniles from hatchery to nursery. There is a need to develop a cost effective, efficient nursery production system and improve on methodologies.
The technical feasibility of ranching in Australian tropical conditions is also unknown. Research is needed to identify the best ranching practises to maximise survival, growth and retrieval rate.
Final report
Authors:
William M. Bowman
Luke H. Turner
Grant R. Leeworthy
Ann Fleming
Jens Knauer
Michelle Simoes
Andrea L. Birch
Mike Gardner
Final Report
•
2014-03-31
•
2.26 MB
2009-744-DLD.pdf
Tasmanian Seafoods has identified stock enhancement as a means to improve the viability of sea cucumber harvesting operations in Northern Australia. Successful enhancement of the fishery has the potential increase catches, reduce harvesting time, and improve the operational efficiency and management of the sea cucumber harvesting business in the Northern Territory.
Considerable work has been published on suitable methodologies for the hatchery and nursery production of sandfish. However, much of this work has been developed by hatcheries in the Asia-Pacific region where there is extreme variability in survival and growth. While much research has been published recently on methods for scaling up the production of temperate species of sea cucumber, the development of technology for culturing tropical species has lagged. Developing improved hatchery and nursery production protocols will compliment a commercial stock enhancement operation through increasing survival rates, increasing production capacity, and ensuring continuity in production year round.
Seafood CRC: Australian seafood compositional profiles portal
Project number:
2008-905
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$149,889.98
Principal Investigator:
David Padula
Organisation:
SARDI Food Safety and Innovation
Project start/end date:
31 Mar 2009
-
30 Mar 2010
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
INDUSTRY NEEDS
Seafood CRC participants need a common platform that provides easy accessible baseline compositional profiles in suitable formats about their products to enable them to meet their individual needs. The establishment of a secure web based portal will assist industry in identifying and removing barriers to uptake of labeling requirements.
The information needs to be robust, consistent and cover the minimum needs of the Seafood CRC participants for nutritional and contaminant information. Existing information held by individual Seafood CRC participants will be able to be housed in the web portal. Additional testing beyond that in this project would need to funded elsewhere.
Where there is a need to develop new analytical capability this will be done outside this project in the related methods development project.
The project will assist in meeting industry needs for:
- Promoting the public health benefits of seafood consumption more generally.
- Rapid access to credible information to counter negative media claims.
- Assist in addressing current and future technical market challenges.
- Anticipate and quickly respond to market access threats.
NATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
Seafood CRC participants require an expert facilitated process to undertake this activity. The panel fulfils a need of industry to have an entry point into national and international processes undertaken by State and Commonwealth agencies. Without the project the loss of market access share in international markets such as Hong Kong (due to labelling requirements being introduced currently) would be commercially damaging. For example the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) "Proposal P293 - Nutrition, Health and Related Claims" could be implemented with no seafood industry input or through this project a process of engagement with Commonwealth regulators could be initiated to secure industry outcomes. There is a need for any data capture activities to be compliant with FSANZ technical specifications.
1. To establish by March 2010 a common scientifically robust information platform that provides Seafood CRC participants with timely access to information about the nutritional and contaminant compositional profiles of their traded products.
Final report
ISBN:
978-0-9805789-9-7
Authors:
David Padula
Andreas Kiermeier
Catherine McLeod
Final Report
•
2012-05-25
•
428.77 KB
2008-905-DLD.pdf
There is a need for information in the correct format of the nutritional profiles of seafood species to enable seafood producers to meet customer-based and regulatory needs. This project gathered nutritional compositional profiles for proximate composition, fatty acids, water and fat-soluble vitamins, minerals and DNA species confirmation for 22 Australian seafood species.
This information will assist industry to meet domestic and international labeling requirements
All seafood included in the project contained various nutrients with species such as Atlantic Salmon containing consistent high levels of most nutrients such as fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Another key finding of this project were all products (22 species) were compliant with Australian regulatory standards (where set) for cadmium and lead.
SCRC: PhD: Processing of Sea cucumber viscera for bioactive compounds
Project number:
2008-742
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$0.00
Principal Investigator:
Christopher Franco
Organisation:
Flinders University
Project start/end date:
30 Jun 2008
-
29 Jun 2015
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Relevance to industry priorities and to Seafood CRC Milestones:
Relevance to Output 1.7 Smart processing technologies and practices.
Addresses the industry priority of New high-value products derived from Australian sea cucumber and New Australian Aquaculture industry for sea cucumber products.
Australian seafood processing co-products, such as SCV are currently discarded. To sustain the future growth of the seafood industry, it is essential to turn these wastes into resources for the development of value-added opportunities for the seafood industry. This area of research has been identified by both Australian seafood industry and the CRC program, through our engagement with seafood processors such as Tasmanian Seafoods Pty. Ltd.
The Flinders Centre for Marine Bioproducts and Bioprocessing has been set up to meet this R&D challenge for the Australian seafood industry. Our engagement with industry partners, particularly Tasmanian Seafoods Pty. Ltd., and extensive consultations with CRC Program Leaders, especially Dr John Carragher, has assisted us in developing this proposal.
The results of the project will make a significant contribution to the sustainable utilization of Australian sea cucumber resources by developing value-added bioproducts from sea cucumber processing wastes, such as the viscera of the sea cucumber. This in turn will significantly aid the growth of the industry, especially into export markets where demand for high-quality Australian seafood products has been increasing.
This project will contribute to the CRC Milestones 1.7.3 “Innovative technologies and approaches to recover under-utilized product (by-catch and processing by-products) trialled and evaluated from at least one sector per annum”.
Final report
Author:
Yadollah Bahrami
Final Report
•
2016-06-30
•
6.26 MB
2008-742-DLD.pdf
Sea cucumbers are prolific producers of a wide range of bioactive compounds, which are potential sources of agrichemical, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical products.
Sea cucumbers expel their internal organs as a defence mechanism called evisceration. We hypothesize that the reason for their ingenious form of defence is because their internal organs contain high levels of compounds that repel predators. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the contribution of saponins from the viscera of any sea cucumber species. Therefore, this project is aimed at the characterisation of the triterpene glycosides, saponins, from the viscera (and body wall) of selected Australian sea cucumber species using high-throughput technologies such as HPCPC and mass spectrometry. The longer term aim is to develop the novel compounds for pharmaceutical or nutraceutical or cosmeceutical application. We will describe the saponin distributions of Holothuria lessoni and Stichopus hermanni in detailed as representatives of two different families to reveal how their saponin profiles are different.
SCRC: Population genetic structure of Sea Cucumbers (bêche-de-mer) in Northern Australia
Project number:
2008-733
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$0.00
Principal Investigator:
Mike Gardner
Organisation:
Flinders University
Project start/end date:
30 Jun 2008
-
29 Jun 2011
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
There is a broad need for population discrimination and dispersal information for the long term viability of both the wild harvest fishery and for the successful development of a sustainable sea ranching program. Internationally sea cucumber fisheries have shown themselves to be vulnerable to over fishing if not effectively managed. With little or no information on stock delineation or population dispersal, successful management must rely on very risk adverse management measures. This greatly limits the viability and productivity of the commercial wild harvest fishery. Also continuing long term to manage the stock on the assumption that it is a single entity poses considerable environmental risk if this management assumption is wrong. Understanding the population structure of H. scabra will allow for the development of far more specific management controls and also inform industry in relation to managing fishing programs towards efficienct and sustainable production. Successful management of the wild harvest fishery long term is dependent on identifying the stocks being managed.
Tasmanian Seafoods is the current sea cucumber licensee in the Northern Territory and is committed to
the development of H. scabra aquaculture and sea ranching. In addition to the fisheries management objectives outlined above there is a recognised need to understand the population genetic structure of H.scabra from the currently fished areas in order to inform the planned restocking program as part of the sustainable management of the fishery. This will ensure that the genetic structure of wild populations is taken into account when releasing hatchery produced progeny into the wild populations and is reflected in an appropriate genetic management strategy for hatchery stocks.
Accurate information on dispersal and population isolation will be crucial to the effective management
and development of the industry, and to protect genetic integrity if genetically divergent localised
populations exist along the N.T. coastline.
Final report
ISBN:
0-9805789-7-3
Authors:
M.G. Gardner
A.J. Fitch and X. Li
Final Report
•
2011-06-30
•
782.17 KB
2008-733-DLD.pdf
Sandfish (Holothuria scabra), a commercially important species of Sea Cucumber, are fished off the northern Australian coast. Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region, where they are commonly fished, they have been found to be particularly vulnerable to over-exploitation. Currently, as little is known about their biology and population structure, they are fished off the Northern Territory using conservative methods, by limited access, area restrictions based on an arbitrary line on the water and trigger limits based on historical data. With a view to improving their management and the sustainability of the fishery, a propagation and stock enhancement program is under development. Basic research including knowledge of the population genetic structure is required to enable informed decisions on the sustainable management of existing fisheries and to develop appropriate policies and strategies for the ranching program planned by Tasmanian Seafoods.
Stock size of beche-de-mer, and recruitment patterns and gene flow in the black teatfish on the Great Barrier Reef
Project number:
1998-133
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$646,968.50
Principal Investigator:
John Benzie
Organisation:
Australian Institute Of Marine Science (AIMS)
Project start/end date:
28 Jun 1998
-
5 Jun 2003
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
There is an urgent need to provide basic information to assist management of beche-de-mer fishery in Queenslands GBR and to determine sustainable harvest levels. The proposed research directly addresses two of the highest priority research topics for harvest fisheries outlined by QFMA (Research needs and priorities for the management of Queensland’s fisheries, QFMA, 1997, p 16), which are
· to estimate of standing stocks of beche-de-mer (holothurians) off the east coast
· to determine sustainable annual harvest levels of beche-de-mer off the east coast
The project also addresses the lower priority research topic
· to determine the ecology of the major beche-de-mer species (black teatfish)
1. To develop a survey methodology applicable for all shallow water beche-de-mer species.
2. To adapt established techniques for enzyme electrophoretic analyses of holothurians to several beche-de-mer species.
3. To determine the stock size of beche-de-mer over a large geographic area in the GBR.
4. To determine the stock size and biomass of the black teatfish over a large geographic area in the GBR.
5. To establish the period of reproduction of the black teatfish on the GBR.
6. To measure dispersal and recruitment in black teatfish using genetic markers.
7. To identify and report the implications of these findings for management of beche-de-mer fisheries.
8. To measure the recovery time for overfished black teatfish stocks (numbers and biomass)
9. To assess the likely source of recruits to recovering populations, including the role of protected reefs.
10. To estimate growth rates for black teatfish.
11. To describe large scale geneflow and dispersal of sandfish among fished populations in NT and WA.
Final report
ISBN:
0-642-32254-6
Author:
John Benzie
Final Report
•
2003-03-25
•
2.92 MB
1998-133-DLD.pdf
The main purpose of the project was to provide biological data urgently needed for a sustainable management of the black teatfish fishery in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR); The principal goals were:
- 1) to estimate the standing stock of the black teatfish and estimate densities of other bêche-de-mer species by undertaking large scale surveys in the GBR, and
- 2) provide further information required to determine annual harvest levels and proposed closed seasons for the black teatfish including reproduction period and likely sources of supply of recruits;
- Following closure of the fishery the project was extended to:
- 3) establish re-colonisation rates of holothurians on the fished reefs where fishing had ceased, and
- 4) determine the sources of those recruits, and 5) estimate growth of holothurians using genetic fingerprinting to identify individuals;
- The project was also extended to include genetic work on sandfish (Holothuria scabra) in Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Beche-de-mer knowata product development
Project number:
1997-409
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$28,640.00
Principal Investigator:
Janette McDonald
Organisation:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date:
7 Mar 1998
-
30 Jun 2001
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
1. To trial and perfect the process involved to produce konowata
2. To document the procedure and operating conditions in the konowata process
3. Conduct sensory evaluation trials on market acceptability on product produced.
4. Publish konowata case study report that culd stimulate beche-de-mer industry members to investigate other product opportunities.
Final report
Author:
Janette McDonald
Final Report
•
2017-09-29
•
5.18 MB
1997-409-DLD.pdf
Commercial fishing for beche-de-mer, or sea cucumbers has been carried out in Australian waters since the early 1800's. Species of commercial interest have included: the sandfish, black teatfish, prickly redfish and the lollyfish. Of these, the sandfish is the most common commercial species and is found on inner reef flats, and in bays and estuaries along the coastline. They are bottom dwellers that feed on sediment while moving slowly across the seabed and they often spend part of the day buried in the silty sand. Harvesting is carried out by collecting the animals from shallow water at low tide or by diving in deeper water providing visibility is good.
Traditionally, fishermen have harvested sea cucumbers for processing into dried product. This product is then exported to Asian countries for consumption. Recently, research has focused on developing value-added products from sea cucumbers. One such product is konowata. This is a traditional Japanese product that results from fermenting the intestinal tract of beche-de-mer. It is highly prized by the Japanese who pay up to A$100 for a 60 gram bottle of the best quality product.
Approval to collect beche de mer from Moreton Bay for the purposes of the research project was obtained from the Queensland Fisheries Management Authority (QFMA). The Centre's team conducted trials that evaluated and optimised the handling of live animals, the holding of animals (purging), evisceration to obtain the raw material, the handling of the intestines and the salting/fermentation process. The study also included evaluation of microbial, chemical and sensory characteristics of raw material and finished product. A comparison of experimental konowata with current imported product was also undertaken and market feedback obtained from Japanese buyers and specialists in konowata.
A video and manual were produced to demonstrate the main principles of collection and processing.
Potential pharmaceutical products from Australian beche-de-mer
Project number:
1992-125.22
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$30,000.00
Principal Investigator:
Craig Davis
Organisation:
University of Queensland (UQ)
Project start/end date:
5 Dec 1994
-
20 Oct 1998
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
1. To evaluate the levels of theraputic activity in different species of Beche-de-Mer to identify the richest sources for these potential pharmaceuticals.
2. To improve the extraction and purification protocols to facilitate fractionation of Beche-de-mer species.
3. To examine different methods of post catch handling to preserve the therapeutic activities.
4. To test these stabilised fractions for therapeutic activities in animal models commonly used to trial drugs for human use.
Final report
Authors:
David Fairlie
Craig Davis and Michael Whitehouse
Final Report
•
1995-12-31
•
2.46 MB
1992-125.22-DLD.pdf
This final report details all work conducted under a 5 month pilot study funded by a small grant from the National Seafood Centre in December 1994. During this time we (i) collected and/or prepared dry powders from species of eviscerated holothurians; and (ii) evaluated extracts of the powdered specimens for anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and hypotensive activities in rats.
Value added beche-de-mer products
Project number:
1992-125.02
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$13,000.00
Principal Investigator:
Rich
Organisation:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date:
29 Jun 1994
-
18 Apr 1995
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
1. To develop a number of value added products using beche-de-mer
2. To advance industry from iminial processing to substantial processing
3. To fully utilise limited resource
Final report
ISBN:
0724265090
Author:
B.R. Rich
Final Report
•
1995-03-30
•
4.77 MB
1992-125.02-DLD.pdf
In recent years, increased interest has been shown in the Queensland beche-de-mer industry. As a consequence, there has been a number of initiatives taken to ensure the industry will have a sustainable future. The industry, traditionally a 'cottage' industry in the past, has not been able to access many of the practices employed in 'main stream' food manufacturing operations. However, with the adoption of modern technology and modern processing establishments coming on line, the industry is joining the 'main stream' of food processing.
With the use of modern equipment and the high capital outlay, it is important to produce products of as high a quality as possible and maximise returns. This publication endeavours to cover issues which are relevant to the modernization of this industry. By increasing awareness of factors influencing processing and product quality, it is hoped the Queensland beche-de-mer industry will establish a sustained future and reputation as a supplier of high quality products.
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