The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.

The WERA conference is a meeting held yearly in conjunction with the National Shellfish Conference and brings together the foremost researchers involved with oyster genetics and breeding from across America. France usually sends their top researchers to attend and this year Tony and I were invited to observe on behalf of the Australian oyster industry. I was impressed with the level of research being undertaken by the Americans although some areas of research struck me as lacking a commercial purpose or outcome. One example of this was a reference to a small study completed in conjunction with their breeding programme which asked both the public and oyster farmers what shell coloring most appealed to them, I believe the results came back that both parties preferred their shell coloring to be "just right" not to dark and not to white, they also liked the patterns on the shells to be well defined. It was then mooted that this could be achieved and might be incorporated into the breeding programme. I wonder where the profit might be in such research, I was to learn that American research is not geared towards the bottom line and return to industry like it is in Australia.

An area where we might become involved which would be of benefit would be in their genomics area, a lot of the information discussed was very much over my head from what I could understand, they were mapping the oyster genome and finding which genes were responsible for which characteristics and then finding if they could be "turned off" or "on" to get desired results in the breeding programme. This may have application for our own breeding programmes in that we can identify recessive genes, mark them and breed away or turn them "off" to enhance our selected lines.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

Clean Seas Tuna is the largest commercial hatchery producer of Yellowtail Kingfish fingerlings in Australia. Following three years of research (2007-2010) into larval rearing issues, the company still experienced variability in results between the two hatcheries, Port Augusta and Arno Bay, between runs within hatcheries, and between individually stocked larval tanks (even those stocked from the same egg batch).  2009 was particularly challenging compared to the previous two years with an increase in skeletal malformations (jaw deformity from 20-25% to > 50%), decrease in survival (from >10% to 8%), and decrease in swimbladder inflation (from 99% to 80%). This 1 year project built on and applied, at a commercial scale, the results of the previous projects (SfCRC 2007/718 and 2009/749). The project was designed to support improved Standard Operating Procedures and test promising alternative rearing conditions, identified in previous research (especially temperature and artificial light), at a medium-scale in Arno Bay and Proof-of-Concept (commercial-scale) in both hatcheries. Funding was requested to invest in skilled personnel, upgrade systems, support key national collaboration, and provide operational costs at partner organisations.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

This grant provided the opportunity to broaden both knowledge and practical skills through gaining experience with new species and hatchery techniques in a premiere aquaculture research facility. The grant recipient travelled to Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) for one week from 19-24 August 2012, to gain hands-on operational experience and training under the guidance of NSW fisheries staff in hatchery procedures for Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway and Yellowtail Kingfish, and in the live feed production procedures developed by PSFI. During this period he assisted PSFI staff in undertaking an induced spawning of Australian Bass, larval-rearing of Australian bass for stock enhancement, live feed production of rotifers and Artemia, as well as assisting with broodstock management.

Both PSFI and Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) play a leading role in research, development and extension to the aquaculture industry in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, improving methods for hatchery production for sustainable aquaculture and business profitability and success. Broodstock management, live feed production and larval rearing are similar at both research facilities, with only minor differences in system design and hatchery protocols.

Given the rationale that pond systems are likely the most cost-effective system for large-scale production of Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) broodstock, this project aimed to determine whether pond-rearing poses a significant risk for broodstock production.

The gross reproductive development of males reared in low-density broodstock ponds was found comparable to sibling males reared in controlled-environment tanks. Furthermore, none of the environmental 'stressors' and dietary manipulations examined impacted on male reproductive tract development. Thus, within the boundaries of the parameters tested, we can state that rearing of male broodstock in low-density ponds does not pose inherent risks of gross reproductive tract impairment.

The project also focused on developing an objective measure of 'male fertility' that could be used commercially; and which could be employed within a monitoring regime. None of the simpler assays, which have typically been used as 'proxy' measures of male fertility, were found to correlate with egg fertilisation rates. One assay that was tested, evaluated levels of 'activation' of 'matured sperm' exposed to 'egg water' (EW-AR assay) and this activation correlated with egg fertilisation. Therefore, this provides a reliable measure of male fertility. However, whilst providing an objective measure, this assay is not straightforward to implement commercially; and certainly the applications of this measure are likely restricted. Importantly, an overall approach to long-term monitoring of stocks is suggested; this approach incorporating application of simpler spermatophore/sperm assessments and the EW-AR assay at different points throughout broodstock rearing and at stocking of the hatchery.

During the project, a previously undescribed abnormality termed 'hollow sperm syndrome (HSS)' was observed through histology. Whether the presence/prevalence of such abnormal sperm impacts egg fertilisation rates negatively is not yet known; and further research is thus required to establish its commercial importance

Given the rationale that pond systems are likely the most cost-effective system for large-scale production of Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) broodstock, this project aimed to determine whether pond-rearing poses a significant risk for broodstock production.

The gross reproductive development of males reared in low-density broodstock ponds was found comparable to sibling males reared in controlled-environment tanks. Furthermore, none of the environmental 'stressors' and dietary manipulations examined impacted on male reproductive tract development. Thus, within the boundaries of the parameters tested, we can state that rearing of male broodstock in low-density ponds does not pose inherent risks of gross reproductive tract impairment.

The project also focused on developing an objective measure of 'male fertility' that could be used commercially; and which could be employed within a monitoring regime. None of the simpler assays, which have typically been used as 'proxy' measures of male fertility, were found to correlate with egg fertilisation rates. One assay that was tested, evaluated levels of 'activation' of 'matured sperm' exposed to 'egg water' (EW-AR assay) and this activation correlated with egg fertilisation. Therefore, this provides a reliable measure of male fertility. However, whilst providing an objective measure, this assay is not straightforward to implement commercially; and certainly the applications of this measure are likely restricted. Importantly, an overall approach to long-term monitoring of stocks is suggested; this approach incorporating application of simpler spermatophore/sperm assessments and the EW-AR assay at different points throughout broodstock rearing and at stocking of the hatchery.

During the project, a previously undescribed abnormality termed 'hollow sperm syndrome (HSS)' was observed through histology. Whether the presence/prevalence of such abnormal sperm impacts egg fertilisation rates negatively is not yet known; and further research is thus required to establish its commercial importance

Given the rationale that pond systems are likely the most cost-effective system for large-scale production of Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) broodstock, this project aimed to determine whether pond-rearing poses a significant risk for broodstock production.

The gross reproductive development of males reared in low-density broodstock ponds was found comparable to sibling males reared in controlled-environment tanks. Furthermore, none of the environmental 'stressors' and dietary manipulations examined impacted on male reproductive tract development. Thus, within the boundaries of the parameters tested, we can state that rearing of male broodstock in low-density ponds does not pose inherent risks of gross reproductive tract impairment.

The project also focused on developing an objective measure of 'male fertility' that could be used commercially; and which could be employed within a monitoring regime. None of the simpler assays, which have typically been used as 'proxy' measures of male fertility, were found to correlate with egg fertilisation rates. One assay that was tested, evaluated levels of 'activation' of 'matured sperm' exposed to 'egg water' (EW-AR assay) and this activation correlated with egg fertilisation. Therefore, this provides a reliable measure of male fertility. However, whilst providing an objective measure, this assay is not straightforward to implement commercially; and certainly the applications of this measure are likely restricted. Importantly, an overall approach to long-term monitoring of stocks is suggested; this approach incorporating application of simpler spermatophore/sperm assessments and the EW-AR assay at different points throughout broodstock rearing and at stocking of the hatchery.

During the project, a previously undescribed abnormality termed 'hollow sperm syndrome (HSS)' was observed through histology. Whether the presence/prevalence of such abnormal sperm impacts egg fertilisation rates negatively is not yet known; and further research is thus required to establish its commercial importance

Given the rationale that pond systems are likely the most cost-effective system for large-scale production of Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) broodstock, this project aimed to determine whether pond-rearing poses a significant risk for broodstock production.

The gross reproductive development of males reared in low-density broodstock ponds was found comparable to sibling males reared in controlled-environment tanks. Furthermore, none of the environmental 'stressors' and dietary manipulations examined impacted on male reproductive tract development. Thus, within the boundaries of the parameters tested, we can state that rearing of male broodstock in low-density ponds does not pose inherent risks of gross reproductive tract impairment.

The project also focused on developing an objective measure of 'male fertility' that could be used commercially; and which could be employed within a monitoring regime. None of the simpler assays, which have typically been used as 'proxy' measures of male fertility, were found to correlate with egg fertilisation rates. One assay that was tested, evaluated levels of 'activation' of 'matured sperm' exposed to 'egg water' (EW-AR assay) and this activation correlated with egg fertilisation. Therefore, this provides a reliable measure of male fertility. However, whilst providing an objective measure, this assay is not straightforward to implement commercially; and certainly the applications of this measure are likely restricted. Importantly, an overall approach to long-term monitoring of stocks is suggested; this approach incorporating application of simpler spermatophore/sperm assessments and the EW-AR assay at different points throughout broodstock rearing and at stocking of the hatchery.

During the project, a previously undescribed abnormality termed 'hollow sperm syndrome (HSS)' was observed through histology. Whether the presence/prevalence of such abnormal sperm impacts egg fertilisation rates negatively is not yet known; and further research is thus required to establish its commercial importance

Given the rationale that pond systems are likely the most cost-effective system for large-scale production of Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) broodstock, this project aimed to determine whether pond-rearing poses a significant risk for broodstock production.

The gross reproductive development of males reared in low-density broodstock ponds was found comparable to sibling males reared in controlled-environment tanks. Furthermore, none of the environmental 'stressors' and dietary manipulations examined impacted on male reproductive tract development. Thus, within the boundaries of the parameters tested, we can state that rearing of male broodstock in low-density ponds does not pose inherent risks of gross reproductive tract impairment.

The project also focused on developing an objective measure of 'male fertility' that could be used commercially; and which could be employed within a monitoring regime. None of the simpler assays, which have typically been used as 'proxy' measures of male fertility, were found to correlate with egg fertilisation rates. One assay that was tested, evaluated levels of 'activation' of 'matured sperm' exposed to 'egg water' (EW-AR assay) and this activation correlated with egg fertilisation. Therefore, this provides a reliable measure of male fertility. However, whilst providing an objective measure, this assay is not straightforward to implement commercially; and certainly the applications of this measure are likely restricted. Importantly, an overall approach to long-term monitoring of stocks is suggested; this approach incorporating application of simpler spermatophore/sperm assessments and the EW-AR assay at different points throughout broodstock rearing and at stocking of the hatchery.

During the project, a previously undescribed abnormality termed 'hollow sperm syndrome (HSS)' was observed through histology. Whether the presence/prevalence of such abnormal sperm impacts egg fertilisation rates negatively is not yet known; and further research is thus required to establish its commercial importance

Given the rationale that pond systems are likely the most cost-effective system for large-scale production of Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) broodstock, this project aimed to determine whether pond-rearing poses a significant risk for broodstock production.

The gross reproductive development of males reared in low-density broodstock ponds was found comparable to sibling males reared in controlled-environment tanks. Furthermore, none of the environmental 'stressors' and dietary manipulations examined impacted on male reproductive tract development. Thus, within the boundaries of the parameters tested, we can state that rearing of male broodstock in low-density ponds does not pose inherent risks of gross reproductive tract impairment.

The project also focused on developing an objective measure of 'male fertility' that could be used commercially; and which could be employed within a monitoring regime. None of the simpler assays, which have typically been used as 'proxy' measures of male fertility, were found to correlate with egg fertilisation rates. One assay that was tested, evaluated levels of 'activation' of 'matured sperm' exposed to 'egg water' (EW-AR assay) and this activation correlated with egg fertilisation. Therefore, this provides a reliable measure of male fertility. However, whilst providing an objective measure, this assay is not straightforward to implement commercially; and certainly the applications of this measure are likely restricted. Importantly, an overall approach to long-term monitoring of stocks is suggested; this approach incorporating application of simpler spermatophore/sperm assessments and the EW-AR assay at different points throughout broodstock rearing and at stocking of the hatchery.

During the project, a previously undescribed abnormality termed 'hollow sperm syndrome (HSS)' was observed through histology. Whether the presence/prevalence of such abnormal sperm impacts egg fertilisation rates negatively is not yet known; and further research is thus required to establish its commercial importance

Given the rationale that pond systems are likely the most cost-effective system for large-scale production of Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) broodstock, this project aimed to determine whether pond-rearing poses a significant risk for broodstock production.

The gross reproductive development of males reared in low-density broodstock ponds was found comparable to sibling males reared in controlled-environment tanks. Furthermore, none of the environmental 'stressors' and dietary manipulations examined impacted on male reproductive tract development. Thus, within the boundaries of the parameters tested, we can state that rearing of male broodstock in low-density ponds does not pose inherent risks of gross reproductive tract impairment.

The project also focused on developing an objective measure of 'male fertility' that could be used commercially; and which could be employed within a monitoring regime. None of the simpler assays, which have typically been used as 'proxy' measures of male fertility, were found to correlate with egg fertilisation rates. One assay that was tested, evaluated levels of 'activation' of 'matured sperm' exposed to 'egg water' (EW-AR assay) and this activation correlated with egg fertilisation. Therefore, this provides a reliable measure of male fertility. However, whilst providing an objective measure, this assay is not straightforward to implement commercially; and certainly the applications of this measure are likely restricted. Importantly, an overall approach to long-term monitoring of stocks is suggested; this approach incorporating application of simpler spermatophore/sperm assessments and the EW-AR assay at different points throughout broodstock rearing and at stocking of the hatchery.

During the project, a previously undescribed abnormality termed 'hollow sperm syndrome (HSS)' was observed through histology. Whether the presence/prevalence of such abnormal sperm impacts egg fertilisation rates negatively is not yet known; and further research is thus required to establish its commercial importance

Given the rationale that pond systems are likely the most cost-effective system for large-scale production of Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) broodstock, this project aimed to determine whether pond-rearing poses a significant risk for broodstock production.

The gross reproductive development of males reared in low-density broodstock ponds was found comparable to sibling males reared in controlled-environment tanks. Furthermore, none of the environmental 'stressors' and dietary manipulations examined impacted on male reproductive tract development. Thus, within the boundaries of the parameters tested, we can state that rearing of male broodstock in low-density ponds does not pose inherent risks of gross reproductive tract impairment.

The project also focused on developing an objective measure of 'male fertility' that could be used commercially; and which could be employed within a monitoring regime. None of the simpler assays, which have typically been used as 'proxy' measures of male fertility, were found to correlate with egg fertilisation rates. One assay that was tested, evaluated levels of 'activation' of 'matured sperm' exposed to 'egg water' (EW-AR assay) and this activation correlated with egg fertilisation. Therefore, this provides a reliable measure of male fertility. However, whilst providing an objective measure, this assay is not straightforward to implement commercially; and certainly the applications of this measure are likely restricted. Importantly, an overall approach to long-term monitoring of stocks is suggested; this approach incorporating application of simpler spermatophore/sperm assessments and the EW-AR assay at different points throughout broodstock rearing and at stocking of the hatchery.

During the project, a previously undescribed abnormality termed 'hollow sperm syndrome (HSS)' was observed through histology. Whether the presence/prevalence of such abnormal sperm impacts egg fertilisation rates negatively is not yet known; and further research is thus required to establish its commercial importance