PROJECT NUMBER
•
1981-024
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
ORGANISATION:
University of Queensland (UQ)
TAGS
8 results
PROJECT NUMBER
•
1992-125.22
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
Potential pharmaceutical products from Australian beche-de-mer
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...
ORGANISATION:
University of Queensland (UQ)
TAGS
SPECIES
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2010-731
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
ORGANISATION:
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart
TAGS
SPECIES
PROJECT NUMBER
•
1983-041
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
Pharmacology and pathology of ciguatera poisoning in mammals and studies on the possible effects of ciguatoxin on fish
Ciguatera poisoning is a form of seafood poisoning that occurs in humans after the ingestion of particular specimens of a variety of tropical marine fish species. Ciguatera poisoning is caused by the ingestion of small quantities of a very powerful toxin, ciguatoxin (CTX), that occurs in the tissues...
ORGANISATION:
University of Queensland (UQ)
TAGS
PROJECT NUMBER
•
1991-090
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
TAGS
Development of sponge (Spongia Spp.) farming as a viable commercial enterprise for remote Aboriginal communities
Project number:
2001-225
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$15,000.00
Principal Investigator:
Graeme Dobson
Organisation:
Charles Darwin University (CDU)
There is an urgent need for employment and income generating projects within remote communities of northern Australia.
Despite there being several excellent sites for aquaculture near indigenous communities, there is currently no significant indigenous involvement in aquaculture in Northern Australia. This is partially the result of cultural norms in communities not being compatible with the intensive and high technology farming systems now in common use. There is a need to develop small-scale projects with a level of technology that will allow the participation of indigenous groups.
Such projects will form the basis for a diversified aquaculture industry in the NT which will be inclusive of both indigenous and non-indigenous groups in remote areas. Such projects have the capacity to generate income from a comparatively low investment and collectively form a significant export for the NT.
The proposed project will:
*meet a well-defined need and contribute to the public good.
*Form the basis for the development of a viable, community based aquaculture industry that will enhance the aquaculture industry of the NT and provide employment and income to remote communities.
*Provide a basis for future research into the establishment of appropriate sponge farming systems in the NT.
*Involve members of indigenous communities in the identification of options and related research
- direct involvement of community members will be a primary method of extension
1. Determine commercially viable sponge species in Northern Territory waters.
2. Identify markets for bath/cosmetic sponges.
3. Complete an economic evaluation of potential sponge farming systems in the NT.
Final report
ISBN:
1-876248-85-8
Author:
Graeme Dobson
Final Report
•
2003-12-11
•
1.86 MB
2001-225-DLD.pdf
Sponges have been employed for thousands of years for a wide variety of purposes, most commonly for basic hygiene (bath/toilet sponges), padding (historically under armour and saddles) and in certain manufacturing processes. World production from the wild harvest has, however, declined significantly this century due to over fishing, pollution and disease in the traditional fisheries (Mediterranean and Caribbean). Concurrently with this decline the demand for natural sponges for domestic (many people prefer to use a natural product), industrial and medical purposes has risen.
Three commercially viable species of sponge have been identified in this report from Northern Territory waters. All three are found adjacent to indigenous homelands in Arnhem Land and are known to some of the inhabitants of the area. With the backing of Homeland Associations, several Traditional Owners have expressed a strong desire to pursue sponge farming as soon as practicable. The adoption of sponge farming would directly benefit the homelands by providing ‘real’ employment, financial return for effort and a reduction in dependence on government funding. Sponge farming also has very good potential to provide a valuable new export product for Northern Australia.
Sponge farming is environmentally friendly. Apart from the initial collection of parent stock, there is no appreciable impact on the environment from sponge farming. Once the farm is established all stock replacement is produced on the farm and there is no need for further wild collection. Sponges are non-polluting—they are nett users, rather than producers, of nutrients and also feed on bacteria from the water column. Sponges process hundreds of litres of water per hour and remove up 95% of nutrients and bacteria—this has created interest in using sponges to reduce the effluent being discharged into the sea by both humans and aquaculture farms.
Farmed sponges are propagated asexually. A mature sponge is cut into pieces approximately 2–3 cm square on each side, the pieces threaded onto a piece of thin rope, wire or bamboo and hung in the water to grow. Once the sponge is placed in the water it needs no further direct care until it is harvested. Sponges are self-cleaning and have few predators (except turtles in some places). Growth rates of sponges placed in the right environment are good, in Townsville the sponges grow to market size in 18 months – 2 years.
Identified markets for ‘bath’ and ‘cosmetic’ sponges are extremely buoyant. Over-fishing and disease have caused a severe downturn in production of sponges from traditional sponge fishing regions (the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas). This has left gaps in the market which have not been filled and are open to new producers. Sponges produced from pristine waters, such as those off North Australia, are likely to have a general marketing advantage over those from ‘polluted’ areas. In addition, sponges that can be labeled as being produced from aquaculture that is carried out by indigenous homeland communities will have a strong advantage in extensive niche markets, especially the tourist market.
Economically sponge farming appears to be well suited to remote areas. Sponge farms are inexpensive to set up ($13,500 including purchasing a suitable dinghy and motor) and operate ($3,000 per year). Experience in Micronesia shows that establishing and maintaining a farm of 30,000 sponges requires approximately 20–30 man hours per week. A farmer can expect a minimum return from a farm this size of $45,000 per year after four years. Niche markets available in Australia could mean that this return is at least double for Australian indigenous producers.
PROJECT NUMBER
•
1991-091
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
International Workshop on ciguatera management
An International Workshop on Ciguatera Management was held at QDPI's Joondoburri Conference Centre on Bribie Island, 13-16 April 1993. This meeting provided the first opportunity for discussion of issues related to ciguatera at an international forum in Australia. Fifty-six registrants participated...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
TAGS
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