| Program 1 (Production Innovation) Yellowtail Kingfish Research Projects |
||
|
2007/707 - Improvements to the production of Yellowtail Kingfish 2007/718 - Yellowtail Kingfish juvenile quality - Identify timing and nature of jaw deformities in Yellowtail Kingfish 2008/723 - Development of a genetic management and improvement strategy for temperate marine finfish 2008/746 - Improvements in Yellowtail Kingfish larval and juvenile survival and quality 2008/901 - Product quality issues: Maturation and harvest stress in Yellowtail Kingfish ______________________________________________ |
|
Improvements to the Production of Yellowtail Kingfish
About the Project The work proposed in the Yellowtail Kingfish production areas are critical issues that need to be resolved to enable the 1. Reduce deformity rates to less than ten percent before hatchery grading. 2. To improve average growth rates compared to established current models, by better feeds and feed management. 3. To reduce costs of Yellowtail Kingfish production through refining of feeds and feed management that lower FCR from 2:1 to 1.7:1. 4. Reduce production costs through improved fish health management and disease control. 5. Develop a range of options for genetic improvement of cultured stocks and implement cost effective strategies that will achieve efficiency, productivity and market gains. 6. Establish a post harvest capability to take advantage of market driven cost effective value adding opportunities to increase profitability of propagated Yellowtail Kingfish businesses. __________________________________________________ |
||
Yellowtail Kingfish Juvenile Quality - Identify
About the Project Jaw malformations are a continuing problem in the production of Yellowtail Kingfish and can effect up to 50% of cultured fish. There is high variability in the rate and severity of deformities among production runs and between commercial hatcheries. Clean Seas Aquaculture Company operates two Kingfish hatcheries at Arno Bay and Port Augusta in South Australia and malformations are estimated to cost the company greater than $A 1million per annum. Project Objectives 1. To evaluate variation in the quality of Yellowtail Kingfish eggs. 2. To assess the use of ozone disinfection of Yellowtail Kingfish embryos. 3. To assess the quality of live feeds used in the production of Yellowtail Kingfish. 4. To determine the onset and severity of malformations in cultured Yellowtail Kingfish. 5. To train hatchery staff in the identification of larval malformations and in ozone disinfection. 6. To identify potential factors influencing malformations and propose a plan for future research. ___________________________________________________ |
 larval kingfish |
|
Addressing the Key Aquatic Animal Health Issues Limiting the Production of Australian Yellowtail Kingfish and Hatchery Reared Southern Bluefin Tuna Industries
About the Project Controlling the flukes on Yellowtail Kingfish is a major cost for producers and the industry has identified improving the treatment of flukes asone of the top research priorities. The project aims to develop palatable feeds containing medication that will significantly reduce the burden of flukes. This project will also address the issue of changing biofouled nets, addressing the issue of increased salinity and whether this slows Yellowtail Kingfish growth first in summer and if not, then in winter. Health issues will also be addressed through development of healthy protocols and a surveillance program. Project Objectives 1. Review literature to establish best candidate in-feed medications and the dosages for the treatment of flukes and then test efficacy of selected in-feed medications in reducing the burden of gill and skin flukes on Yellowtail Kingfish in tank trials and in pilot scale field trials. 2. Determine whether betting treated with antifoulants reduces the number of larval flukes settling on Yellowtail Kingfish and determine whether the fish absorb and retain residues of the most promising antifouling compounds. 3. Establish program for 12 months of routine monitoring of gill and gut pathology of Yellowtail Kingfish and determine the impact of a special diet on winter gut syndrome. 4. Over the range of salinities, experimentaly in the Spencer Gulf, quantify the effects on performance (growth rates and apparent food conversion efficiency) and blood osmolality of Yellowtail Kingfish. ____________________________________________________ |
||
The Development of a Genetic Management and Improvement Strategy for Temperate Marine Finfish
About the Project Yellowtail Kingfish, Mulloway and propagated Southern Bluefin Tuna are all considered as key species for the emerging sector of marine finfish aquaculture. Whilst Southern Bluefin Tuna propagation has yet to commence, both Yellowtail Kingfish and Mulloway have been bred in captivity for years but production remains dependent on seed from wild caught broodfish. It is recognised that this industry sector needs to move forward and capture the advantages from domestication of the key species and implement a genetic management and, as appropriate, genetic improvement strategy to significantly enhance profitability of production over that possible producing what are essentially wild animal which are in no way genetically adapted to the captive environment. Domestication selection and subsequent genetic improvement will address some of the key constraints to the expansion of this industry sector. Project Objectives 1. Develop a range of options for genetic improvement of cultured stocks and implement cost effective strategies that will achieve efficiency, productivity and market gains. ___________________________________________________ |
||
Improvements in Yellowtail Kingfish Larval and Juvenile Survival and Quality
About the Project Survival of Yellowtail Kingfish juveniles in Australian marine hatcheries is very low in comparison to many other marine species such as Sea Bass and Bream produced in larger more mature industries, for example in Europe. Of particular note, several skeletal malformations have been reported in Australia
1. To identify improvements to be made to commercial scale Yellowtal Kingfish larval and juvenile rearing systems and procedures resulting in higher survival (> 25% by end 2010), better growth, reduced levels (<5% by end 2010) and severity of malformations and more cost efficient juvenile production. 2. To assess the suitability of some novel larval and juvenile rearing techniques for Yellowtail Kingfish: recirculating 3. To test a range of key biotic and abiotic factors and rearing strategies on Yellowtail Kingfish larvae and juveniles in __________________________________________________ |
||
Product Quality Issues - Maturation and Harvest Stress in Yellowtail Kingfish
About the Project Ultimately, the need is to improve the quality of the product at this time of year when mature males occur and when sea temperatures reach their peak. If mature males are shown to contribute significantly to product quality issues at this time, then remedial measures can be investigated which are proportional to the Information on the extent of the impacts of maturation and/or harvest stress on product quality of Yellowtail Kingfish will help all involved in growing, buying and selling Yellowtail Kingfish in domestic and overseas markets. Project Objectives 1. Identify, characterise and quantify the effects of sexual maturity on defined product quality attributes of farmed Yellowtail Kingfish 2. Determine the extent and nature of the impact of “dead haul” harvest processes and practices on product quality attributes of farmed Yellowtail Kingfish __________________________________________________ |
||
| This page was last updated: 30th March 2009 | ||
