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Aquaculture Projects at Australian Maritime College
1. Value mapping of the marine environment to aid conservation and resource management
This project aims to assess and map the actual and perceived environmental, economic, social, and cultural values of the marine environment using both market and non-market valuation techniques. To aid in this, case studies in developing and developed countries will be evaluated to create and refine the value mapping methods. The resulting management tool will quantify and characterise marine ecosystem values to create a more holistic picture of the extent to which the marine environment benefits people and to define areas that are potentially at risk. The resulting GIS-based management tool will graphically display overlaying values to better inform decision-makers, especially within a marine biosecurity context.
Supervisors: Associate Professor Marnie Campbell (m.campbell@amc.edu.au)
Professor Chad Hewitt (c.hewitt@amc.edu.au)
2. Polyketide synthetase genes involved in ciguatoxin biosynthesis by the toxic dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus.
The tropical toxic dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus is the causative organism of ciguatera fish poisoning in tropical and warm-temperate coastal reefs. The neurotoxin involved in ciguatera is a large polycyclic compound called ciguatoxin (CTX) thought to be synthesized via a polyketide pathway. This project aims to use molecular approaches to isolate and characterise polyketide synthetase genes from Gambierdiscus and establish their potential role in neurotoxin production. The project is collaboration between UTAS, UWS and UNSW funded by and Australian Research Council discovery grant. The student will be based on the UTAS Launceston campus, but will spend blocks of time at UNSW during the first half of the project.
Supervisor: Dr Christopher Bolch (chris.bolch@utas.edu.au)
3. Chronic herbicide contamination in agricultural catchments as a factor stimulating toxic cyanobacterial blooms.
Despite strict guidelines controlling herbicide applications, many herbicides enter aquatic environments where they inhibit freshwater and marine algae at low effective concentrations. Preliminary evidence indicates that herbicide sensitivity of microalgae is highly variable among different groups and chronic contamination can shift algal communities to cyanobacterial dominance, promoting toxic blue-green algae blooms. This project aims to use laboratory and field experiments to determine the extent of algal growth inhibition caused by herbicides at differing light and temperature conditions, and examine potential synergistic effects of different herbicide/pesticide mixtures. The student will be based at UTAS Launceston campus and use Trevallyn Dam (and other South Esk reservoirs) as field sites.
Supervisor: Dr Christopher Bolch (chris.bolch@utas.edu.au)
4. Inheritance, segregation and expression of toxin genes in the toxic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum.
The widespread toxic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum is a common causative organism of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). The PSP toxins are a suite of neurotoxins called saxitoxins (STX), also produced by a range of other dinoflagellates and some cyanobacteria. STX production by G. catenatum varies considerably with some strains being non-toxic and others producing a suite of 10-12 saxitoxins, yet we currently do not know how this variation is established and maintained. This project aims to use strain inter-breeding and molecular population genetics approaches to examine inheritance, linkage and expression of STX biosynthesis genes during the sexual life cycle of the dinoflagellate, to ultimately understand the factors that influence expression of STX synthesis by dinoflagellates. The student will be based on the UTAS Launceston campus.
Supervisor: Dr Christopher Bolch (chris.bolch@utas.edu.au)
5. Examination of the immune response of Atlantic salmon vaccinated with a DNA vaccine for amoebic gill disease (AGD)
Amoebic gill disease (AGD) remains the number one health problem of the Atlantic salmon Industry, costing c.a $20-25 million annually. Since 2002, CSIRO and UTas under the auspices of the Aquafin CRC, have been working with industry on the development of a DNA vaccine for AGD. Currently, the vaccine affords approximately 40% protection in an acute-to-morbidity challenge system. However, little is known about the mechanisms of protection. Recently the work has been funded for a further 4 years and is placed with the recently started Seafood CRC, with the expected outcome a commercial ready vaccine for AGD. Therefore we seek a suitably qualified, highly motivated student to undertake fundamental studies into the response of fish to the vaccine. This project will examine expression and translation of a 6 antigen AGD DNA vaccine, examine the humoral and cellular response to AGD vaccination, examine gene expression following DNA vaccination and examine gene expression differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated Atlantic salmon challenged with AGD
Supervisors: Dr Phil Crosbie (Philip.Crosbie@utas.edu.au)
Assoc Prof Barbara Nowak (B.Nowak@utas.edu.au)
Dr Mathew Cook (CSIRO)
6. Mussel spat husbandry and biology
Continued, sustainable growth of mussel aquaculture world-wide depends upon the industry eliminating their reliance on collecting wild juveniles for on-growing. Hatchery-based juvenile production is currently plagued by unpredictable and unexplained high mortality. Using multi-factorial experiments, we aim to quantify the influence and temporal extent of key biological parameters influencing the growth and survival of the blue mussel across all phases of the life history, from egg-quality to settlement. An integrated understanding of juvenile growth and survival will allow development of rearing strategies to reduce the unpredictable and high juvenile mortality experienced during hatchery-based mussel culture. This project will assess the effects of the nutritional status of pre-settlement mussels on retention, growth, and survival of spat in land-based hatchery systems and identify biological and physical factors that affect spat settlement, retention, survival, and growth in land- and sea-based nursery systems
Supervisors: Assoc Prof Natalie Moltschaniwskyj (Natalie.Moltschaniwskyj@utas.edu.au)
Dr Christopher Bolch (chris.bolch@utas.edu.au)
7. Understanding the timing of reproduction in scallops: energy allocation and the influence of environmental parameters
Scallops show considerable variation in reproductive effort and low levels of population synchrony in spawning cycles. This project seeks to understand the drivers in the timing of reproductive activity at the level of individuals through determining and assessing sources and allocation of energy to reproductive and somatic growth. A range of environmental parameters will be explored and as a result the results of this project will implication to both wild fisheries and aquaculture.
Supervisors: Dr Jayson Semmens (Jayson.Semmens@utas.edu.au)
Assoc Prof Natalie Moltschaniwskyj (Natalie.Moltschaniwskyj@utas.edu.au)
8. Recruitment and retention of scallops in the D’entrecasteaux channel: is there a relationship with scallop density?
Recent literature has suggested the importance of maintaining high density regions of scallop beds as a source of recruitment. This correlation has, in part, been attributed to improved synchronisation of spawning events within high density regions. Given that scallops are broadcast spawners, releasing male and female gametes from the same individuals but at different times, such synchronisation of gonad development, and maintenance of high densities of adult scallops may be vital for the success of recruitment. The density of adult scallops on a bed may also influence the settlement of scallop spat and retention of recruits; however, there is little understanding of this relationship. The D’Entrecasteaux channel supports an important recreational scallop fishery; however, there is a concern that the beds in this region could be serially depleted if recruitment and retention is limited by recreational catch levels/patterns. This project will look at recruitment and retention of scallops in the Channel and determine if high density regions of scallops need to be maintained to promote these processes.
Supervisors: Dr Jayson Semmens (jayson.semmens@utas.edu.au)
Dr Jeremy Lyle (jeremy.lyle@utas.edu.au)
Dr Sean Tracey (sean.tracey@utas.edu.au)
Assoc Prof Natalie Moltschaniwskyj (Natalie.Moltschaniwskyj@utas.edu.au)
9. Development of an integrated and sustainable solution for management of industrial biofouling in a Southern-temperate estuary through improved understanding of local chemical and biological processes.
The zinc smelter in Hobart (Nyrstar) uses water from the Derwent Estuary to remove sulphur dioxide (SO2) from waste gases using a tail gas scrubbing system. However, although estuarine water is pumped through the system at relatively high flow rates (up to 4,500m3 per hour) it is still necessary to regularly deconstruct the system to remove excessive biofouling associated with blue mussel accumulation. To do this it is necessary to temporarily shut down various components of the scrubbing system. This results in a reduction in the SO2 removal capacity during these maintenance periods which in turn has the potential to increase the risk of SO2 emissions from the plant’s foreshore stack. As a result, this PhD project proposes to examine various approaches for management of this biofouling problem and to determine the most effective and environmentally sustainable management strategy. Possible solutions to be considered include the use of biocides as well as more innovative approaches such as the redirection of the existing effluent stream from the tail gas scrubbing system back through the system. The expectation of such approach would be that the resultant reduction in pH would prevent biofouling in the intake lines (the effluent outflow currently varies between 2 and 6 pH units). However, to determine the efficacy of this approach a greater understanding of the effects of the effluent, and the associated reduction in pH, on mussel attachment and mortality is necessary. This project represents a unique opportunity to be involved in an innovative research project which will ultimately contribute to science-led management outcomes. The project will receive technical support from the Derwent Estuary Program and Nyrstar (Hobart) with an additional financial commitment (research funds) from Nyrstar.
Supervisors: Assoc Prof Natalie Moltschaniwskyj (Natalie.Moltschaniwskyj@utas.edu.au)
Dr Andrew Seen (A.J.Seen@utas.edu.au)
Dr Catriona Macleod (Catriona.Macleod@utas.edu.au)
10. Understanding quality in abalone
This project aims to develop a better understanding of the factors that define and influence quality for the species of abalone grown in Australia under local conditions. Specifically the project objectives will be to: undertake a desk-top survey on how markets discriminate and differentiate quality of abalone; examine seasonal and site difference in the concentrations of taste-active and quality-associated components in abalone; examine pre- and post-harvest factors on the quality of live and processed abalone; and test objective tools or instruments in the ability to measure or discriminate quality.
Supervisors: Dr Louise Ward (Louise.Ward@utas.edu.au)
Dr Malcolm Brown (Malcolm.Brown@csiro.au)
Assoc Prof Natalie Moltschaniwskyj (Natalie.Moltschaniwskyj@utas.edu.au)
11. Protein metabolism in barramundi (Lates calcarifer)
We are developing barramundi (Asian sea bass) as a model tropical species for the study of fish nutrition. It is a robust species, grows well over a wide range of environmental temperatures and has a globally expanding aquaculture. Protein metabolism is of fundamental importance and provides a mechanistic approach to exploring practical issues such as the replacement of high quality protein sources with sustainable alternatives such as plant proteins. In discussion with the successful applicant the PhD research would use our extensive experimental capacity related to amino acid metabolism, protein synthesis, gene expression and nutrition to explore critical issues related to ingredient use and diet development.
Supervisors: Prof Chris Carter (Chris.Carter@utas.edu.au)
Dr Robin Katersky (Robin.Katersky@utas.edu.au)
Dr Andrew Bridle Andrew.Bridle@utas.edu.au)
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