This report describes the outcomes from a five-year Industry Partnership Agreement (IPA) between Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Australian Abalone Gowers Association (AAGA). The project was led by AAGA Executive Officer, Nicholas Savva with assistance from members of the AAGA management committee. The primary objective of the IPA was to coordinate R&D related to abalone farming funded through FRDC and other sources. To ensure involvement of members in the development and running of that R&D. And extension to members for uptake of research outcomes.
During the five years 15 abalone and related R&D projects were conducted with $853,000 contributed via the IPA and considerably more from research institutions and in kind from farms and other participants including feed manufacturers. Projects supported by the IPA were consistent with the priorities in the AAGA Strategic Plan 2015-2020. Ten of the 15 projects are now complete, or near completion. All the projects have delivered benefits to the industry.
Nutrition has long been and will continue to be a focus for AAGA R&D.
Knowledge of abalone genetics including the genetic pool on farms and the nature of abalone responses to AVG and to higher summer water temperatures will aid selective breeding.
Improvements to biosecurity and vigilant surveillance has resulted in robust on farm biosecurity plans and no disease outbreaks on farms.
During this project AAGA developed a new strategic plan that will guide research in a new IPA to cover the period from 2020 – 2025 was completed. Significant outcomes from the new Strategic Plan include:
• The need for stronger links between nutrition and genetic selection especially in response to warming waters.
• The need to develop and embrace AI and mechanisation to improve labour efficiencies and invest in our labour force to provide improved quality employment opportunities.
• Recognition that additional funding for R&D will need to be sourced.

This report describes the outcomes from a five-year Industry Partnership Agreement (IPA) between Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Australian Abalone Gowers Association (AAGA). The project was led by AAGA Executive Officer, Nicholas Savva with assistance from members of the AAGA management committee. The primary objective of the IPA was to coordinate R&D related to abalone farming funded through FRDC and other sources. To ensure involvement of members in the development and running of that R&D. And extension to members for uptake of research outcomes.
During the five years 15 abalone and related R&D projects were conducted with $853,000 contributed via the IPA and considerably more from research institutions and in kind from farms and other participants including feed manufacturers. Projects supported by the IPA were consistent with the priorities in the AAGA Strategic Plan 2015-2020. Ten of the 15 projects are now complete, or near completion. All the projects have delivered benefits to the industry.
Nutrition has long been and will continue to be a focus for AAGA R&D.
Knowledge of abalone genetics including the genetic pool on farms and the nature of abalone responses to AVG and to higher summer water temperatures will aid selective breeding.
Improvements to biosecurity and vigilant surveillance has resulted in robust on farm biosecurity plans and no disease outbreaks on farms.
During this project AAGA developed a new strategic plan that will guide research in a new IPA to cover the period from 2020 – 2025 was completed. Significant outcomes from the new Strategic Plan include:
• The need for stronger links between nutrition and genetic selection especially in response to warming waters.
• The need to develop and embrace AI and mechanisation to improve labour efficiencies and invest in our labour force to provide improved quality employment opportunities.
• Recognition that additional funding for R&D will need to be sourced.

This report describes the outcomes from a five-year Industry Partnership Agreement (IPA) between Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Australian Abalone Gowers Association (AAGA). The project was led by AAGA Executive Officer, Nicholas Savva with assistance from members of the AAGA management committee. The primary objective of the IPA was to coordinate R&D related to abalone farming funded through FRDC and other sources. To ensure involvement of members in the development and running of that R&D. And extension to members for uptake of research outcomes.
During the five years 15 abalone and related R&D projects were conducted with $853,000 contributed via the IPA and considerably more from research institutions and in kind from farms and other participants including feed manufacturers. Projects supported by the IPA were consistent with the priorities in the AAGA Strategic Plan 2015-2020. Ten of the 15 projects are now complete, or near completion. All the projects have delivered benefits to the industry.
Nutrition has long been and will continue to be a focus for AAGA R&D.
Knowledge of abalone genetics including the genetic pool on farms and the nature of abalone responses to AVG and to higher summer water temperatures will aid selective breeding.
Improvements to biosecurity and vigilant surveillance has resulted in robust on farm biosecurity plans and no disease outbreaks on farms.
During this project AAGA developed a new strategic plan that will guide research in a new IPA to cover the period from 2020 – 2025 was completed. Significant outcomes from the new Strategic Plan include:
• The need for stronger links between nutrition and genetic selection especially in response to warming waters.
• The need to develop and embrace AI and mechanisation to improve labour efficiencies and invest in our labour force to provide improved quality employment opportunities.
• Recognition that additional funding for R&D will need to be sourced.