Elucidating the nutritional requirements of farmed hybrid abalone
The farming of quality Australian abalone is a profitable industry, producing an estimated total ~1,000 tonnes live weight with a value of $35 million in the financial year ending July 2017. Notably, over the next 10 years, abalone production is forecast to increase by >300% to ~3,600 tonnes with an estimated total value of ~$120 million based on current day market prices. However, in order to facilitate this growth, detailed knowledge pertaining to the nutritional requirements of farmed abalone species is paramount. Currently, hybrid abalone culture is carried out via the provision of feeds developed specifically for greenlip abalone. While these feeds promote good growth and survival in both species, it is considered that the ideal protein ratio requirements of abalone may vary in relation to temperature (season), age (stage of growth) and species, (greenlip vs. hybrid). The issue is further exacerbated by varying, and site specific environmental conditions; especially high summer temperatures causing incidents of elevated mortality; and low winter temperatures suppressing growth. As such, on-farm performance of hybrid abalone has significant scope for improvement via nutritional intervention. Carefully planned and targeted RD&E effort that builds on the nutritional knowledge amassed for greenlip abalone therefore has the capacity to make rapid steps in relation to the productivity of the hybrid abalone aquaculture industry. Those gains are in turn expected to be transferable back to greenlip aquaculture.
The Australian Abalone Growers Association has identified ‘Nutrition’ as an RD&E investment priority in its 2015-2020 Strategic Plan, with a Strategic Goal to ‘Implement a Nutrition Program for Health, Survivorship and Meat Weight Gain’. This project will assist industry in achieving its projected growth within the time-frame of AAGA’s Strategic Plan by developing formulated feeds that are tailored to the major seasonal trends experienced by the abalone farming industry. Depending on the differences found in nutritional requirements this may result in the development of age/size-specific, temperature/season-specific and/or species-specific diets.
Final report
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
The Australian Abalone aquaculture industry continues to search for performance improvements in farmed hybrid Abalone (Haliotis laevigata x H. rubra) to satisfy increasing consumer demand. This project was the first in 25 years to comprehensively profile existing commercial feeds and found large differences in their nutritional composition. These results informed the experimental diets that were manufactured and trialled under the project.
Growth trials on sub-adult and juvenile hybrid Abalone showed that efficiencies in growth can be achieved by increasing protein to more than 40 per cent. In depth metabolic assessments overwhelmingly showed that increasing this level does not increase oxygen consumption in hybrid Abalone or reduce tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high water temperatures.
This project provides clear evidence to hybrid Abalone producers and feed manufacturers that increases in growth can be achieved by changing the composition of current diets and that implementing these changes does not compromise Abalone health during stressful summer growing conditions.
Evaluation of practical technologies for Perfluoroalkyl (PFA) remediation in marine fish hatcheries
Per- and poly-fluoroalklys (PFASs) are now emerging as pollutants with potentially catastrophic impact on aquaculture facilities. Two key research institutes have already demonstrated the presence of PFASs in marine fish broodstock and have observed impacts on offspring that are consistent with those observed in
literature studies. As testing continues there is the expectation that the number of facilities affected will increase. To compound the challenge our understanding of the impacts of PFASs on aquatic species is limited. In order to further assess these impacts, PFASs must be introduced into experimental systems in a
controlled fashion and therefore we must have the capacity to remove those pollutants before release. To protect our facilities and permit PFAS impacts research there is a need to rapidly assess available PFAS treatment technologies.
Final report
Future oysters CRC-P: New Technologies to Improve Sydney Rock Oyster Breeding and Production
CRC Northern Australia - Biosecurity in northern Australian prawn aquaculture
Future oysters CRC-P: Enhancing Pacific Oyster breeding to optimise national benefits
Future Oysters CRC-P: Accelerated Sydney Rock Oyster (SRO) Breeding Research
Barramundi origins: determining the contribution of stocking to the Barramundi catch on Queensland's east coast
Benchmarking for health and productivity in aquaculture
This project has been recognised as a national priority by the Australian/State/Territory governments and industry through AQUAPLAN 2014-2019 — "Activity 3.3 Undertake aquatic animal health benchmarking for specific aquaculture sectors". This project aims to undertake benchmarking in a range of engaged sectors and provide feedback to individuals on their farm performance and ranking within the industry to demonstrate how production and health parameters can be improved upon. This project has strong links with other AQUAPLAN objectives such as Objective 1: "Improving Regional and Enterprise - level Biosecurity". There is strong evidence (particularly in terrestrial industries) of the linkage between animal health and productivity (for example the Rushton review, 2009)
Initial discussions with a range of industries (including abalone, barramundi and Murray cod), has indicated that for many players an intuitive and secure system for recording farm productivity and health data is desirable and a first step towards farm benchmarking for health and productivity.
The level of data collection on farms varies: from minimal collection, to farms recording information but not using it to review farm performance, to larger companies such as Yumbah abalone where benchmarking is utilised at a company level to monitor performance and take corrective action where required. These benchmarks may include factors including mortality rates, growth rates and other health and production statistics (e.g. feed conversion efficiency). This lack of coordinated data collection impedes individual farms in assessing and comparing their disease risk/status and overall performance both within farm and with the industry in general. Furthermore, if data collection and benchmarking was routinely undertaken in Australian aquaculture industries there would be opportunities for producers to learn from other industry members how best to increase productivity and reduce biosecurity risks on individual farms and across the industry as a whole.
This project aims to increase farm productivity and aid in the prevention and/or early detection of new and emerging diseases through robust data collection and benchmarking on abalone farms (pilot).