8,753 results
Environment

Preparation of a set of guidelines on the procedures necessary to carry out baseline studies at any Australian coastal site

Project number: 1986-110
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $0.00
Organisation: Australian Museum
Project start/end date: 27 Jun 2000 - 30 Jun 2000
Contact:
FRDC

Objectives

1. Prepare guidelines on the procedures necessary to carry out baseline studies at any Australian coastal site

Final report

Author: P.A. Hutchings J.T. van der Velde S.J. Keable
Final Report • 1995-03-28 • 7.75 MB
1986-110-DLD.pdf

Summary

The discharge of ballast water from one port into another is not a recent phenomena, although its importance as a dispersal mechanism for marine species has only been fully realized in the last decade with increasing volumes of ballast water being discharged and more studies being carried out on the marine fauna. Australia with its large number of ports, and increasing volumes of ballast water arriving, is certainly at risk from ballast water introductions.

We have summarized the existing literature on introductions of marine organisms in Australia and have discussed possible ways in which these organisms have arrived in Australia. Some species may have arrived via ballast water but to date, the evidence is largely inferential rather than direct. However, we do know that organisms in ballast water may survive discharge and could potentially settle and establish populations which may have an impact on natural fauna.

Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 1995-162
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Prawn farm effluent: origin, composition and treatment

Prawn farming is an expanding, high-value primary industry in coastal areas of Australia. Currently there are approximately 500 ha of farm ponds. The majority of prawn farms are in Queensland, but there are also farms in NSW, NT and WA with plans for expansion of the industry in all these states....
ORGANISATION:
Cooperative Research Centre for Aquaculture
SPECIES
Industry

Immuno-staining of a ciliate protozoan causing significant mortalilty of farmed tuna: the development of a rapid identification technique which will enable improved farm management practices to be implemented to minimise fish mortality

Project number: 1995-083
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $60,860.00
Principal Investigator: Barry Munday
Organisation: SARDI Food Safety and Innovation
Project start/end date: 25 Oct 1995 - 29 Jun 2001
Contact:
FRDC

Objectives

1. To develop the use of immuno-staining as a rapid disgnostic test which can be used on site (Port Lincoln) to accurately identify the ciliate protozoan of concern
2. Using the diagnostic test developed, screen potential sources of infection associated with farming tuna ( seawater and sediment around cages, organic matter fouling nets, feeds and feed preparation methodologies etc)
3. Disseminate research and resultant recommendations on improved farm management strategies to tuna farmers so as to minimise mortality of farmed fish
4. To maximise the benefits obtained by tuna farming industry from the presently funded position, Research Officer - fish health ( National Training COmpany Scheme and TBOAA), based in Port Lincoln and the partnerships that have been established to facilitate research on industry priority topics

Final report

ISBN: 0-642-32054-3
Author: Barry Munday
Final Report • 2000-01-01 • 2.17 MB
1995-083-DLD.pdf

Summary

An immunofluorescent staining technique for the rapid detection of the ciliate protozoan Uronema sp. was developed during 1995 and 1996. The initial test was developed using seven cultures of Uronema sp. from various sources which were identified as Uronema nigricans  by microscopical and histochemical techniques. These seven strains were maintained in a medium containing bacteria as their food source. Antisera against two of the strains were raised in rabbits and against one in sheep. These were then adsorbed with the bacteria and unrelated ciliates to eliminate cross-reactivity.

More recently, an axenic (bacteria-free) culture of Uronema sp. has been accomplished and high-titre antisera raised in rabbits for use in the immunofluorescent staining technique.

Arrangements have been made to have a monoclonal antibody to the axenic Uronema prepared at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island in Canada. This will then provide a reliable supply of highly specific antibody for future research in this area.

The substantial southern bluefin tuna mortality event in 1996 impacted on the delivery of the project objectives, particularly those associated with the application of the immuno-staining technique developed to:

  • screen potential sources of infection associated with farming tuna; and based on this
  • provide advice to farmers on how to improve farm management techniques so as to minimise infections.

Keywords: Uronema, aquaculture, southern bluefin tuna.

Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 1996-285
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Identification of environmental factors, with particular reference to acid sulfate soil runoff, causing production losses in Sydney rock oysters

The study has confirmed that estuarine acidification, associated with drainage of acid sulfate soils, reduces growth rates and survival in Sydney rock oysters leading to significant production losses. The work has also demonstrated that acidification is not a factor in outbreaks of QX disease. The...
ORGANISATION:
UNSW Sydney
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