In FRDC 2007/007 and FRDC 2009/044, it was determined that ornamental fish entering Australia are a source of exotic pathogens, such as cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV2). This is of particular relevance for goldfish, where domestic breeders claim that their stock succumb to CyHV2 disease when brought into contact with imported goldfish in wholesale and retail premises. CyHV2 only affects goldfish and was addressed in the 1999 IRA as being exotic to Australia. Recent research findings from FRDC 2009/044 indicated that CyHV2 is present in domestic Australian goldfish populations. On 1 September 2011, Biosecurity Australia amended the health certification requirements for the importation of goldfish and no longer requires fish to be certified free of CyHV2.

The detection of CyHV2 and other exotic aquatic pathogens (e.g. gourami iridovirus) was achieved through the application of molecular techniques, such as PCR. Correctly applied and interpreted, molecular approaches offer unique opportunities to understand the local and global spread of a disease. The advancement of molecular approaches is required to safeguard Australia against pathogen incursions through the processes of informed policy development and import risk analysis.

There is a need to disseminate the research that determined that CyHV2 is now established in Australia and how scientific evidence was used to change national biosecurity policy to the international scientific community. There is also a need to ensure the availability of people with specialised training in molecular epidemiology in Australia to stay at the forefront of the application of this technology.

This application is for an international bursary to attend a two week intensive course on next generation sequencing.

The course, held by Michigan University, will cover all aspects of bioinformatics analysis needed for transcriptomes and genome sequencing, as well as train in the analysis of sequences the course participants bring themselves.

At USC we have moved into the field of transcriptome and genome sequencing, and now have transcriptomes of 8 prawn tissues, pearl oyster, 2 fish tissues, and we are about to embark on sea cucumber and edible oyster sequencing, as well as tuna genomics. While capable of doing the basic analysis, this resource offers much more, and this course would train me for such analysis.

There are not many groups in Australia doing wide genome analysis of aquaculture species, and this training and materials provided in the course would put me in a position to not only service my FRDC and CRC grant industry partners, but also to train interested parties in Australia who are interested in expanding into this field. USC is investing in building up its aquaculture genetics portfolio, and this training opportunity would add to the strength of the group.

Elizur would extend her knowledge gained in this travel to the aquaculture community through lectures at a CRC or industry forums where there is potential for uptake. She will communicate with the CRC about opportunities to present to the student forum where molecular approaches could be adopted to address some of the research questions.

This travel bursary application is to attend a 3-day workshop, ““Data Management and Local Knowledge: Building a Network to Support Community-Based Research and Monitoring" to be held in Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A, on November 15, 16, 17, 2011. The purpose of the workshop is to bring together researchers, industry and community members, organizations, and projects working on issues surrounding data management for both Local and Traditional Knowledge (LTK) and information from community and industry-based research and monitoring. They are interested in projects and initiatives that work with LTK and are addressing data management issues in some way – from asking questions about how we can archive our data and information for future generations, to fully operational data management systems. The organisers have written to invite me to attend (pdf attached) in order to exchange experiences and information on how we can better gather, utilise and acknowledge important information that is held within our marine industries and communities.

Formally incorporating fisher knowledge into our assessment and management frameworks has never been so critical. Fishers need to alter what they do in response to marine ecosystem changes (i.e. adaptation), yet many fishers do not acknowledge climate change or trust traditional scientific information about climate change. We need platforms that collect and display information fishers trust -their own industry information.

Effective and practical on farm biosecurity is critical to the ongoing sustainability and profitability of aquaculture industries. Practical biosecurity is also critical for wild catch fishers harvesting aquatic species such as abalone.
There is a real need for Australia's aquatic animal veterinary expertise to maintain an up to date understanding of aquaculture biosecurity. Dr Hardy-Smith works full time with aquatic animal in Australia and provides, on a daily basis, specific biosecurity advice to clients farming or harvesting many different aquatic species in many states and the NT.
He also provides specific farm level biosecurity advice to governments.
This conference specifically addresses the issues of practical, on farm biosecurity, including the economic impact of disease and biosecurity programs . Other critical topics include:
• Components of ideal biosecurity plans and programs
• International, regional and national strategies
• Identifying and prioritizing hazardous diseases and evaluating risks
• Disease epidemiology, surveillance and monitoring
• Control and eradication contingency plans and programs
• Disease diagnostics, medical and farm record keeping
• Implementing, auditing and certifying biosecurity programs

Having Dr Hardy-Smith attend this conference addresses the needs outlined above.
There is also a need for both aquaculture farmers and wild catch fishers to keep abreast of the latest technology in the farming and capturing of aquatic species. The biosecurity conference is being held in conjunction with Aqua Nor 2009, an internationally important aquaculture industry trade show which showcases the latest in technology in fish farming. Besides such equipment as fish pumps, other technology to be presented at Aqua Nor 2009 will centre on vaccination of aquatic animals, feeding and nutrition of aquatic animals and housing/controlling of aquatic animals.
If Dr Hardy-Smith does attend the biosecurity conference, it would seem reasonable and highly beneficial for him also to attend Aqua Nor.