Project number: 2007-225
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $135,752.00
Principal Investigator: Kate S. Hutson
Organisation: University of Adelaide
Project start/end date: 28 Aug 2007 - 30 Jun 2010
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Metazoan parasites threaten the sustainability and profitability of the Australian finfish aquaculture industry. It is critical, therefore, to identify local parasite species and determine which are potentially harmful. There have been many studies assessing metazoan parasite fauna of wild fish and fish farmed in sea-cages in the northern hemisphere, but such research is notably absent in the Australia. With current low stocking densities and dispersed farm locations in Australia, the potential for parasitic disease problems in sea-cage aquaculture may not yet be realised.

In the sea-cage environment farmed fish can acquire infections found in local populations of wild fish. The natural occurrence of wild fish near sea-cage farms provides an opportunity for transfer of parasites between wild and farmed populations. The parasite assemblage of the wild fish species and the potential risks of these parasites for sea-cage aquaculture are largely unknown. By gathering biological data about parasites, we will gain a better understanding of how to manage and control them on fish in captivity.

Parasite identification, knowledge of parasite biology, diagnostic tools and how parasites impact on their host is critical for effective parasite management. This project will use a powerful combination of morphological and molecular genetic techniques to provide a comprehensive understanding of copepod, monogenean and trematode parasites infecting selected aquaculture, recreational and commercial finfish species in southeastern Australia, plus barramundi in the northwest.

This research will enable proactive parasite management and rapid identification of pathogenic parasite species. It will also identify appropriate site selection for expansion of the industry away from infection sources. Appropriate husbandry practices and management practices can be put in place to control parasite infections thereby reducing morbidity and mortality in fish stocks.

Objectives

1. To complete a parasite survey of selected finfish species in Australia
2. To provide taxonomic revisions of copepods, monogeneans and trematodes including redescriptions of poorly described taxa and description of new species
3. To provide a host-parasite checklist with biogeographical relevance
4. To use DNA sequences to distinguish blood fluke species and enable diagnostic tools for industry
5. Provide risk analyses for the parasites identified to understand a) the likelihood of parasite establishment and proliferation and b) the consequence of establishment and proliferation for sustainable aquaculture
6. Identify parasites of potential threat to the sustainability of the sea-cage aquaculture industry
7. Develop pathological case studies of parasites of potential threat to aquaculture
8. Identify appropriate husbandry practices to manage and control parasite infections and thereby reduce morbidity and mortality in fish stocks
9. Enable appropriate site selection for expansion of the industry away from infection sources
10. Develop an interactive product (i.e. website) that enables rapid identification of marine parasite species for the public, recreational anglers and sea-cage aquaculture industry

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-646-55210-1
Author: Kate Hutson

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PROJECT NUMBER • 2023-088
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT

FRDC Sponsored RD&E State Awards

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ORGANISATION:
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)