With a production value of over $362 million (2009-2010 ABARE), the Tasmanian Atlantic salmon industry is now the most economically valuable finfish industry in Australia. This industry employs over 2000 people therefore the social, economic and arguably cultural values to the Tasmanian community are considerable. AGD is the most significant health issue affecting the production Atlantic salmon in Tasmania with estimated costs to the industry of up to 20% of total production. These costs relate to freshwater bath treatments, which require specialised infrastructure and are labour intensive, as well as lost production through both mortality and decreased growth. AGD outbreaks are more frequent in the summer months however with increasing temperatures bathing frequency and associated costs appear to be extending into traditionally AGD-free periods such as spring and autumn. Mitigation of these costs is therefore essential to maintain the profitability of the industry.

This proposal was developed to specifically address the TSGA R&D strategic themes ‘AGD-determination of what is actually killing the fish’ and ‘AGD-development of in-vitro assay systems’. Previous in-vivo studies have failed to determine the physiological cause of AGD-related mortality (project 2001/205). Additionally performance of an in-vitro model developed for AGD research (see project 2001/244) was found to be inconsistent and its use for research purposes was ceased. The use of an in-vitro perfused gill preparation could resolve these issues as the physiological mechanisms relating specifically to gill function could finally be quantified for heavily affected and moribund animals. The in vitro perfused gill preparation offers a novel approach to AGD research. Manipulation of the model to varying external (surrounding medium) and internal (perfusate) conditions will allow direct examination of gill function in not only AGD-affected fish but also has direct application for other health and non health based physiological studies.

RESEARCH RELEVANCE AND ACCEPTANCE

FRDC has been recognised for their leadership in developing abalone aquaculture in Australia. To ensure that this investment in R&D in partnership with the industry results in a significant abalone aquaculture industry, it is important that this partnership is maintained. FRDC has created one of the few truly national programs for developing an aquaculture species. The benefits arising from this have been significant as measured by: quality of science, industry planning of R&D, partnership approach to R&D execution, comprehensive extension program using novel media formats (e.g., interactive CD ROMs) and the high level of adoption.

The AAS has fostered a truly collaborative relationship with industry which has led to highly
commercially-focused research outputs for the Australian abalone aquaculture industry. Since its inception in 1993 the Subprogram has delivered highly focused research outputs that have responded to the changing R&D needs of the industry as it matured. The AAS has achieved this by implementing operational processes that ensure industry members themselves identify R&D needs and, through the Steering Committee, subsequently manage research projects.

The Subprogram has achieved a high degree of research coordination between states and an extensive communication strategy to ensure service delivery to the industry. The Subprogram has added value the FRDC’s research investment by managing its project portfolio in this way. None of this would have been possible without an independent Subprogram Leader and a highly responsive Steering Committee that is strongly represented by industry members across southern Australia.

RESEARCH EFFICIENCY AND OUTPUT

The presence of a coordination component within the AAS has resulted in savings in the operation of new and existing projects far exceeding $500,000 and it is likely that this trend will exist in the future. This has been achieved by improving project adoption, ensuring projects are appropriately costed, coordinated travel and workshop budgets combined with more efficient use of limited research funds. To this end, the AAS Steering Committee will continue to support a coordination project for the operation of the AAS. During the past three years, the FRDC funded an additional ten projects within the Subprogram. Of these, the AAS has delivered outcomes from 4 core projects with outcomes pending from another two core projects in June 2003. It has also delivered outcomes from four projects funded prior to the commencement of its current term. It is unlikely that this level of highly focused research and productivity would have been possible without a coordinated Subprogram.

The seafood industry is facing unprecedented challenges (WAFIC 2020 Strategy, FRDC R&D 2015).
The networks established by CESSH have laid a strong foundation to attract national and international
investment partners. For the first time, the whole industry along the supply chain and post harvest is
working together to achieve outcomes that benefit the WA (and national seafood industry) and the
health of the Australian population. It is essential that the industry is able to remain viable and indeed
grow, within the constraints of an ever changing economic, technological and food security landscape.
There is a need for a continued go-to place that the industry can access to gain support to develop
new products, investigate novel and improved means of harvest, reduce production costs and provide
evidence of the value of consuming seafood. CESSH needs to build on existing strong capacity areas
and establish expertise in areas that are currently not available in WA to service the growing and
diverse needs of industry. This could afford industry a point of difference in the provision of world class
support to answer research and science questions that impact on growth, quality or profitability in a
timely fashion, an essential service for a primary industry.

Attractiveness: World eel production is in the order of 150,000 tonnes per year, but demand is estimated at over 200,000 tonnes and increasing. Australia’s eel production has traditionally come from wild fisheries and extensive culture by way of stocking impoundments with elvers. This production has not exceeded 500 tonnes in any year, and there is little potential for any expansion from these sources. Aquacultured eel would however have immediate market potential. Recent studies (Ford and Roberts, 1996) have confirmed that longfin eels are highly regarded by both Asian and European consumers, and that attractive prices can be achieved. The proposed research will assist in increasing the supply of this valuable product.

From a benefit/cost perspective, the continuity of the longfin growout work now underway rates very highly. It will be significantly more cost-effective to continue the existing successful program rather than terminate it after 2 years, only to re-initiate it possibly 1 year later.

Feasibility: This project seeks to develop semi-intensive pond-based aquaculture of the longfin eel. This is particularly attractive as the feasibility is enhanced by advantageous characteristics of this species, relative to shortfin eels. The longfin eel has faster growth rate, is more abundant as glass eels, is adapted to the tropical / sub-tropical climate prevailing in northern Australia, and is therefore better suited to growout in outdoor ponds which are significantly less expensive to establish and operate than indoor tank facilities.

Feasibility is further enhanced by the track record of the PI who has comprehensive research experience with the aquaculture research and development of redclaw (FRDC 92/119). QDPI has excellent facilities to support the research, located in the tropics, and will subsidise the project directly with staff and operating resources.

Outcomes:
• generate biological information regarding growth rates and survival in relation to weaning, diets, grading and density
• identify health / disease problems and establish health monitoring protocols
• develop expertise in the investigators to equip them for further and more comprehensive research
• identify priority issues for further research
• evaluate the potential for developing a commercial eel aquaculture industry