The heritability of resistance to AVG in Australian Haliotids remains unexplored, but resistance to other viral diseases is heritable in fish and shellfish, and large scope for genetic improvement to buffer farmed populations against the effects of viral diseases has been demonstrated in other species [2-4]. Challenge tests performed on New Zealand paua (Haliotis iris) and Japanese disc abalone (H. discus) indicate complete immunity to AVG [5, 6]. More recently, genetic signatures of rapid selection in AVG virus affecting Australian Haliotid populations have been found, and some genes have been implicated that may have a large effect on the trait [7]. Consequently, there is the possibility of harnessing AVG resistant genotypes for the genetic improvement of farmed Australian abalone, although further work is needed to validate the presence of resistance and the heritability of the trait. Genomic selection is now being implemented by the abalone industry for improving growth rate (PI's work with Yumbah), and genomic selection has proven to be especially advantageous in instances when trait heritability is low and the trait is affected by many genes of small to moderate size effect on resistance (e.g. for white spot syndrome virus resistance in white-legged shrimp [8]). In instances in other species where there are genes of very large effect on the trait (eg. for infectious pancreatic necrosis in Atlantic salmon [9-12]) marker assisted selection has proven to be highly effective [13-15]. We have designed a single experiment that will allow us to investigate the possibility for these approaches and evaluate how effective one round of selection for AVG resistance could be.

Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC.

Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC.

Global and domestic trends in aquatic animal production and trade indicate that Australia will increasingly require agile, strong, and modern diagnostic systems to effectively manage disease risks (AQUAPLAN, 2022). To strengthen and support the aquatic animal diagnostic network we need to thoroughly understand future industry needs – which are rapidly evolving.

This project seeks to forecast diagnostic needs and understand the changing demands for aquatic animal health diagnostic services in Australia. For example, activities such as the safe translocation of stock between states, the establishment of specific pathogen free (SPF) broodstock, point-of-care-testing, emerging production diseases and increasing requirements from trading partners, will all require robust diagnostic technologies that are reliable, fit-for-purpose and accessible within the diagnostic network.

To forecast diagnostic requirements, we propose the following key activities, including a workshop (if required). The workshop is a STOP-GO point in our project and the decision to go ahead will be established in consultation with a project Steering Committee. The main activities in this project include:

1. Establishment of a Steering Committee and Terms of Reference to assist with milestone reporting and project oversight.

2. Generation of a map of the current operators and regulators of the diagnostic network for aquatic animal health in Australia.

3. Stakeholder consultation. This will be conducted incrementally through key informant interviews with the following stakeholder groups:

I. Stage 1. Members of SCAAH representing each State and Territory to identity their future needs, and further key informants.
II. Stage 2A. Diagnostic service providers (Government and private veterinary laboratories identified by SCAAH) to provide insight into current diagnostic services capabilities/capacity and identify future needs.
III. Stage 2B. End-users of the diagnostic network and regulators (identified by SCAAH and the research team) to provide insight into current diagnostic needs and challenges and identify future needs.

4. Scoping review of existing and novel diagnostic technologies relevant to aquatic animal health (to be conducted in parallel to the stakeholder consultation process).

5. A workshop (STOP-GO point) with key stakeholders to discuss specific needs identified in Activity 3

6. A Final Report presenting a roadmap to guide the implementation and adoption of future diagnostic needs.

Our final report and roadmap will inform priority areas for investment in the diagnostic system and provide advice to regulators. Areas for investment could include additional research and development, and upskilling of veterinary practitioners and laboratory diagnosticians. A schematic diagram of the project proposal is presented in the Appendix.

As per AQUAPLAN’s vision, this project is an exceptional opportunity to bring together a network of collaborators across multiple disciplines and sectors to support sustainable industry growth.

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Veterinary chemicals are important tools in primary production systems. When used correctly, they play a valuable role in ensuring animal welfare and maximising the quality and yield of primary produce (economic sustainability). The use of veterinary chemicals as part of disease management in aquaculture also reduces the risk of disease spread to adjacent wild stocks (ecological sustainability). Aquaculture is a comparatively young (i.e. decades) primary industry, farming new (and often non-domesticated) species compared to terrestrial animal production (where most species have been domesticated for hundreds or thousands of years). Consequently, there is limited biological knowledge of aquaculture species (e.g. health, physiology and disease) where novel aquatic disease outbreaks are common, often requiring use of veterinary chemicals that are not registered for use in aquatic environments. Thus there is also a lack of information on the efficacy, safety and environmental effects of veterinary medicines. Furthermore, due to the relatively small size of Australian aquaculture industry sectors, there is limited interest from pharmaceutical companies for investment in product registration due to low economic return on investment.

We will collate available data and obtain new data to satisfy identified gaps to satisfy the requirements of the APVMA Minor Use Permit application.

Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC.

Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC.

This project will develop a Minor Use Permit application for oxytetracycline for use in crustacean aquaculture comprising:
- a human health assessment focusing on worker exposure to OTC through mixing and administration
- an environment assessment comprising use of existing trigger values with estimated release volumes of chemicals to understand environmental safety and to develop environmental release conditions
- an efficacy and safety summary based on published information
Assembly of these and all other relevant data into a Minor Use Permit application and submission to APVMA.

Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC.