Identification of natural mudworm species in South Australian Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) stocks
Rock Lobster Post Harvest Subprogram: development of a method for alleviating leg loss during post-harvest handling of rock lobsters
Diagnosis and prevention of the mid-crop mortality syndrome of pond-reared black tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon)
Final report
The project has created knowledge which has led to the outcome of better health management on Australian prawn farms. Changes to farm practices have occurred where whole-farm destocking and pond disinfection are applied as a hygiene practice following a season where crop declines or failures are seen. During, and subsequent to, the project prawn farmers now understand that infectious disease can affect cultured marine prawns in earthen ponds. As a consequence many farmers will submit sick prawns for diagnostic analysis soon after stressed prawns are seen in ponds, not assuming the problems are due to pond environment factors.
The project has contributed to the recovery of the Queensland prawn farm industry from the low production seen in the 1995/96 season of 1,294 tonnes (worth $28.2m) to 1855 tonnes (worth $32.4m) reported in 1998/99. A similar outcome is reflected when Australian marine prawn production is considered; from a low of 1,400 tonnes in 1994/95 to 2,059 tonnes of production in 1997/98.
The project has shown that a virus associated with Mid-Crop Mortality Syndrome is passed from breeders to their progeny. The project has created the knowledge of a detection test and that application of that test can be used by hatcheries to reduce the effect of the virus on productivity in the hatchery and farms.
Aquafin CRC: feed technology for temperate fish species
Identification and management of potential food safety issues in aquaculture-produced yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)
Clarence River pilot prawn farming project
Final report
The research programme was largely comprised of farming trials in a 1 ha prawn farming pond and in swimming pools on the pond bank at the field site. Juvenile school prawns (Metapenaeus macleayi) were collected by commercial trawlers in Lake Wolloweyah, transported by punt to the pond where they were stocked and farmed for 2 to 3 months before harvest and marketing at the Sydney Fish Market.
The prawn production results were used as the basis for an independent economic analysis of school prawn farming. The first version of this analysis is discussed in the accompanying NPS2 paper and a revised version presented at the N.S.W. Department of Agriculture Prawn Farming Open Day (a compilation of the papers delivered at this Open Day is attached). Both versions predicted attractive returns on capital but it should be noted that the extrapolation from pilot scale to commercial scale must necessarily be in part hypothetical until it is supported by consistent commercial success.