Minor use permit to sedate finfish using APVMA registered products containing isoeugenol
Development of sector-specific biosecurity plan templates and guidance documents for the Australian farmed barramundi industry
Enhanced biosecurity has been identified as a priority area in the ABFA 2015 – 2020 Strategic Plan.
Although the farmed barramundi industry and relevant jurisdictions have implemented a range of measures to mitigate the risks of major diseases of concern (i.e. individual on farm biosecurity procedures and engagement and sponsorship of a number of specific projects), this industry sector does not have a nationally consistent, agreed approach to biosecurity.
The development of a sector-specific national biosecurity plan for the farmed barramundi industry would ensure a common level of biosecurity risk management to support specific enterprise and whole-of industry productivity.
Furthermore, work is underway to develop industry-government emergency aquatic animal disease response arrangements. These arrangements should be underpinned by amongst other measures an industry biosecurity plan.
The industry feel that they are at a high risk to diseases introduction through the importation of fish that require processing from high risk regions that have very potent diseases such as pot belly and scale drop syndrome. As such enhanced Industry biosecurity measures are considered critical to the growth of barramundi farming in Australia.
Report
These guidelines have been developed to assist Australian Barramundi farms with the tools and templates to create basic through to comprehensive, and fully auditable, biosecurity plans.
Infestation of Australian Harbours with exotic marine organisms discharged in ships ballast water
Control of winter mortality and QX disease in Sydney rock oysters
Final report
People development program: Sponsorship and support of National Seafood Industry Leadership Program 2009-2011
This project is needed to support the efficient operation or the national seafood leadership program
NCCP: essential studies on cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) prior to release of the virus in Australian waters
Studies underpinning the further development of an epidemiological model
As the modelling work has progressed, the modelling team has determined that understanding transmission is a critical factor in the further development of the model. This will be addressed by two projects:
(1) The relative amounts of virus in the skin and mucus of infected fish vs shed virus in the water
(2) The relative importance of direct versus indirect transmission of CyHV-3 between fish
Report
(1) The relative amounts of virus in the skin and mucus of infected fish vs shed virus in the water
(2) The relative importance of direct versus indirect transmission of CyHV-3 between fish
Aquafin CRC - Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram: development of an AGD vaccine: phase II
Health is one of the major issues associated with intensive culture industries, including aquaculture. Unhealthy stock relates to unhealthy industry – higher production costs, reduced viability, poor market and public image. Outbreaks of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) in Scotland resulted in some salmon companies going into receivership. The use of medication increases production costs and negatively impacts on the market.
In Australia, salmon aquaculture is relatively disease free, which provides a possible marketing advantage. However, Amoebic Gill Disease costs are 9.4% of the gross value of production; a significant production cost for farming Atlantic salmon in Tasmania. The disease outbreaks seem to intensify as the industry develops and now are prevalent not only during summer months but also in winter. Outputs of the CRC Health Program such as improved treatment of AGD infected fish, AGD risk forecasting ability and vaccine production against AGD will increase the profitability and competitiveness of the Australian salmon industry.
AGD is severely limiting further expansion of the industry because it ties up resources that could be directed elsewhere, and it limits farming sites due to reliance on freshwater for bathing. Current treatment of AGD while environmentally friendly is not viable in the long-term and alternatives are required. Other treatments may be more reliant on antibiotics or chemicals, a risk to the image of the industry. Although vaccine development can be seen as a high-risk research target the potential rewards justify the risk
Final report
Amoebic gill disease (AGD) is considered to be the most significant health problem for farmed Atlantic salmon in Tasmania, costing the industry an estimated $15-20 million pa. It is caused by the presence of Neoparamoeba spp. on the gills and if untreated can lead to death. Although some control of the disease is achieved by freshwater bathing, this procedure is not considered a viable, long-term solution. It is not fully efficacious – more than one treatment is usually required; it is very labour-intensive; it requires large volumes of freshwater, and is stressful to the fish, which further impacts on their health and growth. Furthermore, recent experience indicates an increase in the required frequency for freshwater bathing in an attempt to control the disease.
Vaccine development is part of a multifaceted approach to develop short-, medium- and long-term solutions to the control of AGD; development of a sub-unit vaccine being the long-term approach of the overall research strategy. The essential objective is to develop a set of strategies and tools to provide the salmon industry with a substantial reduction to the economic impact of AGD in an economically and environmentally sustainable way.
The most significant outcome of this project is the commencement in July 2007 of sea trials for the experimental DNA vaccine made up of six antigens shown to provide a relative increase in protection of approximately 40 percent in laboratory based amoebic gill disease (AGD) trials.
Keywords: Atlantic salmon, Neoparamoeba, DNA vaccine, recombinant protein, response
The impact and implication of Perkinsus olseni on Australian abalone fisheries
Perkinus olseni is a protozoan parasite that has negative effects on three commercially harvested abalone species in Australia – blacklip, greenlip and Roe’s. Disease manifestation ranges from high mortality (e.g. New South Wales; Liggins and Upston 2010) to chronic clinical infection (Gudkovs 2016). Chronically infected animals often exhibit extensive macroscopic lesions rendering the product unsaleable. Outbreaks in the 1980s in the South Australian (SA) Central Zone (SACZ) fishery removed 15 t of greenlip catch, with partial recovery of the fishery taking 30+ years. Avoidance of fishing areas in the SA Western Zone (SA WZ) abalone fishery with high prevalence of Perkinsus-related lesions has displaced ~10% (11t.yr-1) of blacklip catch to alternative fishing grounds, exacerbated quota reductions and likely cost the fishery in excess of $10 million over the past ten years.
The impact of Perkinsus on abalone fisheries has not been fully quantified and the factors driving prevalence and disease expression are unknown. This information is fundamental for the effective management of this disease, and in particular the prevention of its spread and proliferation.
Understanding the impacts of Perkinsus on abalone fisheries and developing strategies for mitigating impacts are the highest priority research need of the SAWZ. These aims are also relevant to the Abalone Council Australia strategic plan and supported by the SACZ and SA Southern Zone abalone fisheries because of the threat this disease poses to both fisheries.
This project will consolidate current knowledge on Perkinsus, describe the impact and drivers of the disease in Australia, and determine whether shucking at sea is a high risk. This information is necessary to mitigate the spread and impact of the disease where abalone are currently shucked at sea. If shucking at sea is a high risk we will evaluate alternative ways in which harvesting can occur without further disease spread.