Management of Australian Abalone Growers Association's RD&E portfolio

Project number: 2016-415
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $190,000.00
Principal Investigator: Nicholas Savva
Organisation: Australian Abalone Growers Association Inc (AAGA)
Project start/end date: 30 Oct 2016 - 29 Jun 2020
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Tropical Abalone
Blacklip Abalone
Roe's Abalone
Greenlip Abalone
Brownlip Abalone

Need

FRDC has recently devolved responsibility for strategic priorities and direction to industry. Consequently the functions described in this application are needed to plan and manage AAGA's RD&E portfolio in partnership with FRDC to ensure that research continues to provide results that address
key priority areas of the industry. Specifically the functions needed to achieve this are:

a) Develop collaborations with R&D agencies to assist development of RD&E projects needed to address issues described in the AAGA Strategic Plan 2015-2020, including:
(i) Sustainable development of the industry;
(ii) Maintaining and enhancing biosecurity and abalone health;
(iii) An emphasis on abalone health via nutrition;
(iv) Increases in production efficiency and profitability;
(v) Enhanced market development of quality abalone products;
(vi) Improved human capacity, safety and training

b) Ensure effective and rapid dissemination, extension and uptake of the outcomes of R&D to AAGA members.

c) Identify alternative sources of funding that can be accessed through co-investment in additional RD&E projects to achieve greater outcomes for the farmed abalone industry.

Objectives

1. Coordinate development of RD&E projects in line with AAGA/FRDC IPA.
2. Publish an annual industry report and distribute to AAGA members
3. Manage communications with AAGA members.
4. Organise an annual industry workshop and other special topic workshops as required.
5. Review and update the AAGA RD&E strategic plan.
6. Promote the industry's viability and sustainability and social licence to operate.

Final report

Author: Nicholas Savva
Final Report • 2021-01-01 • 1.11 MB
2016-415-DLD.pdf

Summary

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.
Final Report • 2021-01-01 • 1.11 MB
2016-415-DLD.pdf

Summary

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.
Final Report • 2021-01-01 • 1.11 MB
2016-415-DLD.pdf

Summary

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.
Final Report • 2021-01-01 • 1.11 MB
2016-415-DLD.pdf

Summary

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.
Final Report • 2021-01-01 • 1.11 MB
2016-415-DLD.pdf

Summary

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.
Final Report • 2021-01-01 • 1.11 MB
2016-415-DLD.pdf

Summary

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.
Final Report • 2021-01-01 • 1.11 MB
2016-415-DLD.pdf

Summary

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.

Genetic diversity audit of farm held stocks of Greenlip and Blacklip abalone

Project number: 2016-142
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $35,204.79
Principal Investigator: Jan Strugnell
Organisation: James Cook University (JCU)
Project start/end date: 2 Apr 2017 - 30 Oct 2017
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
Blacklip Abalone
Greenlip Abalone

Need

The abalone aquaculture industry requires a genetic audit of farm held stocks of greenlip and blacklip abalone to be conducted in order to identify current levels of genetic diversity, effective population sizes, and levels of coancestry/relatedness captured within individual farms and the wider industry.

This fundamental information is needed to guide future approaches to genetic improvement of farmed abalone.

Objectives

1. Conduct a genetic audit of farm held stocks of greenlip and blacklip abalone to identify current levels of genetic diversity, effective population sizes, and levels of coancestry/relatedness captured within individual farms and the wider industry.

Final report

Author: Jan Strugnell and Catarina Silva
Final Report • 2017-10-31
2016-142-DLD.pdf

Summary

Following the AVG virus, the number of broodstock that were available to produce hybrids was drastically reduced. This project was undertaken in order to ascertain the genetic diversity present within farm held broodstock of greenlip and blacklip abalone and to determine the degree of genetic differentiation of stocks within and between farms. A genetic audit of farm held stocks enables farmers to gain an understanding of the genetic resources held across the industry.
 
This report provides a genetic audit of farm held stocks of greenlip and blacklip abalone from six Australian farms across three states. Thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to calculate genetic diversity, genetic differentiation, effective population size and relatedness within and between farms and are reported for each species. A mate allocation plan is also presented which optimises the available genetic resources across farms in order to minimise kinship. The audit was carried out in 2016 and 2017 by Associate Professor Jan Strugnell and Dr Catarina Silva based within the Department of Marine Biology and Aquaculture at James Cook University, Australia.

Benchmarking for health and productivity in aquaculture

Project number: 2018-180
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $108,620.00
Principal Investigator: Tracey Bradley
Organisation: Agriculture Victoria
Project start/end date: 23 Apr 2020 - 28 Oct 2021
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Profitability
Marketing
Husbandry
Fisheries Management
Education
SPECIES
Blacklip Abalone
Greenlip Abalone
Abalone

Need

This project has been recognised as a national priority by the Australian/State/Territory governments and industry through AQUAPLAN 2014-2019 — "Activity 3.3 Undertake aquatic animal health benchmarking for specific aquaculture sectors". This project aims to undertake benchmarking in a range of engaged sectors and provide feedback to individuals on their farm performance and ranking within the industry to demonstrate how production and health parameters can be improved upon. This project has strong links with other AQUAPLAN objectives such as Objective 1: "Improving Regional and Enterprise - level Biosecurity". There is strong evidence (particularly in terrestrial industries) of the linkage between animal health and productivity (for example the Rushton review, 2009)

Initial discussions with a range of industries (including abalone, barramundi and Murray cod), has indicated that for many players an intuitive and secure system for recording farm productivity and health data is desirable and a first step towards farm benchmarking for health and productivity.

The level of data collection on farms varies: from minimal collection, to farms recording information but not using it to review farm performance, to larger companies such as Yumbah abalone where benchmarking is utilised at a company level to monitor performance and take corrective action where required. These benchmarks may include factors including mortality rates, growth rates and other health and production statistics (e.g. feed conversion efficiency). This lack of coordinated data collection impedes individual farms in assessing and comparing their disease risk/status and overall performance both within farm and with the industry in general. Furthermore, if data collection and benchmarking was routinely undertaken in Australian aquaculture industries there would be opportunities for producers to learn from other industry members how best to increase productivity and reduce biosecurity risks on individual farms and across the industry as a whole.

This project aims to increase farm productivity and aid in the prevention and/or early detection of new and emerging diseases through robust data collection and benchmarking on abalone farms (pilot).

Objectives

1. Develop a farm data collection and review system for abalone farmers to record health and production parameters
2. Provide a secure data storage system with the capacity to allow industry benchmarking against industry approved standards - for example the industry median.

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-76136-282-8
Authors: Tracey Bradley Thomas Teoh Nick Savva
Final Report • 2023-05-01 • 2.68 MB
2018-180-DLD.pdf

Summary

Benchmarking is a form of evaluation undertaken by comparing a measure with a standard. With its widespread adoption across many industries, benchmarking was identified as an important area for development in aquatic industries through the national strategic plan for aquatic animal health (AQUAPLAN 2014 – 2019). Despite this industry recognition and internal identification of its importance, there has been no national benchmark conducted across any Australian aquaculture industry. Prior to the commencement of this project, benchmarking is undertaken and considered as important within companies. The absence of national benchmarking could be related to issues around maintaining data confidentiality and a lack of coordination in the numerous smaller aquatic species sectors. With information on key health and production variables, individual farms will be able to make good decisions around early detection and prevention of disease, improving overall individual and industry farm productivity.

Related research

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Industry
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Industry

Australian Abalone Growers Association Strategic R&D Plan 2020-2025

Project number: 2019-204
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $25,422.00
Principal Investigator: Ewan A. Colquhoun
Organisation: Ridge Partners
Project start/end date: 12 Mar 2020 - 30 Jul 2020
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Workshop
Sustainability
Supply Chain
Stakeholder
Nutrition
SPECIES
Blacklip Abalone
Greenlip Abalone
Brownlip Abalone

Need

AAGA established its first strategic plan in 2015 for the period 2015-20. AAGA members now wish to develop a new strategic plan to inform further investment in our sector for the period 2020 to 2025 and beyond.
AAGA and FRDC recognise the need for the sustainable development of the Australian abalone farming industry.
This Plan and related strategies will consolidate and continue the industry's relationship with the FRDC and the Australian Government.
Both AAGA and FRDC recognise the need to ensure that this industry's development is supported and guided by an appropriate governance framework, with the flexibility and durability to meet the changing needs of the sector.

Objectives

1. Review sector, and consult industry and stakeholders
2. Workshop the strategic and governance options and confirm preferred strategy
3. Draft and submit the final Strategic Plan

Final report

Author: Ridge Partners
Final Report • 2020-07-01 • 711.83 KB
2019-204-DLD.pdf

Summary

AAGA established its first strategic plan in 2015 for the period 2015-20.   AAGA members now wish to develop a new strategic plan to inform further investment in our sector for the period 2020 to 2025 and beyond.
AAGA and FRDC recognise the need for the sustainable development of the Australian abalone farming industry.
This Plan and related strategies will consolidate and continue the industry's relationship with the FRDC and the Australian Government.
Both AAGA and FRDC recognise the need to ensure that this industry's development is supported and guided by an appropriate governance framework, with the flexibility and durability to meet the changing needs of the sector.