Need for supporting and enabling biotechnologies:
The FRDC report highlighted the need for proper genetic management in scallop enhancement ventures (FRDC 2000/190) in particular citing the key issues of genetic resource management (Blankenship and Leber, 1997). This view is further supported by proceedings from the second international stock enhancement and sea ranching conference (Leber et al., 2002b)
Determining the genetic structure of the source population is essential baseline information to design an effective genetic management protocol for restocking ventures. Although, initial allozyme work indicates that the Queensland stocks are a single genetic population and are potentially a different species to the WA (Dredge et al unpubl; FRDC 2000/190), allozyme data is not effective in discerning local genetic populations whereas microsatellites are (Kolijonen et al., 2002). The information may also be used in future environmental monitoring of genetic diversity in wild populations by providing a genetic baseline for localized allelic frequencies and provide cross generational markers of hatchery stock.
The development of appropriate genetic management protocols at an early stage of a long-term proposal such as scallop ranching in Queensland or Western Australia is both desirable and responsible. Fisheries, conservation, public and other interests will undoubtedly, and appropriately, critically scrutinize the progress of the proposed operation. The development of appropriate and responsible genetic management protocols have been identified by QSS as being a critical short-term priority, and as such may have a significant bearing on the wider public acceptance of the operation.
The current Western Australian operation have also recognized genetic management as an important factor, although they are not undertaking such work. Our proposal, which is likely to include the WA operation at some level, would therefore directly benefit both states.
Kolijonen, M.-L., Tahtinen, J., Saisa, M. and Koskiniemi, J. 2002. Maintenance of genetic diversity of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) by captive breeding programmes and the geographic distribution of microsatellite variation. Aquaculture 212, 69-92.
Leber, K. M., Kitada, S., Blankenship, H. L. and Svaasand, T. (2002b). Proceedding from the Second International Symposium on Stock Enhancement and Sea Ranching, Kobe, Japan.