Aquaculture and Animal Health
As the human population rapidly approaches 9 billion, finding the means to supply sufficient animal protein in a sustainable and economic way to feed this burgeoning population is one of the most important challenges humanity will face in the immediate future. With the majority of the population growth occurring in the tropics - from southeast Asia, Latin America, to Africa - farming of aquatic species is the most efficient and healthy way to produce animal protein.
The Aquaculture team within the CSTFA focus on genetics, nutrition, aquatic animal health, physiology, hatchery production, algae, husbandry, post-harvest processing and sustainable practices. Researchers directly partner with the aquaculture industry to solve real world problems and mainly work with tropical species including barramundi, marine shrimp, pearl oysters, tropical abalone, sea cucumbers, freshwater crayfish, micro- and macroalgae and ornamental fish.
This theme is led by Dr Leo Nankervis. (leo.nankervis@jcu.edu.au)
Researchers from the CSTFA have experience and expertise in all biological and industry aspects of tropical aquaculture, including hatchery and nursery techniques, aquatic animal health, nutrition and feed development, bioremediation, sustainable livelihoods, seafood quality and human health, reproductive control and domestication, and the application of advanced selective breeding techniques. Recent examples of leading and industry-impactful research includes:
- development and implementation of genomic-based breeding programs for barramundi, pearl oysters and marine shrimp (Pacific white shrimp, black tiger shrimp)
- identification and prevalence of commercially important pathogens
- situational analysis of northern Australian aquaculture
- feed development using plant-based and alternative protein sources
- bioremediation of waste nutrients using macroalgae
- influence of microbial communities for health and productivity of marine shrimp.
E dean.jerry@jcu.edu.au P +61 7 4781 5586
The Aquaculture Genetics team is focused on developing the knowledge and tools required by the aquaculture industry to understand genetic processes affecting culture success and in the conduct of efficient selective breeding programs. With over 15 year’s expertise delivering services to the global aquaculture industry, JCU and the CSTFA have been instrumental in the design and conduct of breeding programs for many important tropical species, including barramundi, marine shrimps, pearl oysters and freshwater crayfish.
The aquaculture genetics team works directly with the aquaculture industry to develop the tools and knowledge required for them to commence selective breeding programs. As examples of some of these partnerships we currently work with global companies involved in breeding programs for marine shrimp (Global Gen Inc, Seafarms Ltd), barramundi (Mainstream Aquaculture), tilapia (Worldfish), redclaw crayfish (NQFA), pearl oyster (Atlas South Sea Pearl) and abalone. There is a particular focus on improvement of important aquaculture species in Australia and Asia.
Researchers have access to a fully-equipped, modern genetics laboratory, including an Illumina Mi-Seq sequencer, flow cytometers, robotics, quantitative PCR and high throughput PCR capabilities. Given its strengths in quantitative statistics and genomics, it also has the high-performance computing capability necessary to link phenotypes with the genome and develop genomic selection algorithms. JCU also has the largest tertiary aquaculture aquaria research infrastructure in Australia for the conduct of genetic related experiments and training.
E kyall.zenger@jcu.edu.au P +61 7 4781 6532
The Aquaculture Nutrition team has been influential in developing and implementing applied solutions across these fields for several important tropical species, including barramundi, grouper, tilapia, freshwater crayfish, tiger prawn and sea cucumbers. The university also boasts a world-leading comprehensive teaching program in aquaculture physiology, nutrition, and propagation, with specific applications to commercial aquaculture and hands-on training in up-to- date relevant production techniques.
The group is recognised as being at the forefront of R&D in these respective areas and provides a full complement of expertise, including methods for determining nutritional requirements of species, evaluating the use of sustainable plant based ingredients to replace marine ingredients as well as of novel and functional dietary ingredients to improve intestinal health, molecular characterisation of the physiological response to dietary and environmental changes, resolving the drivers of egg and larval quality, and measurement of metabolism and energetics in aquaculture species.
E leo.nankervis@jcu.edu.au P +61 7 4781 6524
The aquarium trade is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide, and it is growing at a rapid pace. However, unlike freshwater ornamentals, of which 98% are captive bred, it is estimated that currently over 95% of marine ornamental s are collected directly from the wild, mainly from coral reefs, a practice that negatively impacts biodiversity of the fragile reef ecosystems. Moreover, in developing countries where the bulk of marine ornamentals are sourced, the collection is often done via reef damaging methods, e.g. using explosives and cyanide, which contributes to reef destruction.
In order to be sustainable, highly sought-after marine aquarium species must be bred in captivity to supply the trade and to further expand the industry. The Marine Ornamentals Captive Breeding Group are developing captive breeding techniques for a range of popular marine ornamentals, including crustaceans and fish. The Group have so far successfully bred more than 30 species, several of which are world firsts, and work on multiple other species is ongoing.
The aquaculture department at JCU is a world-leader for the research and development of captive breeding techniques for various marine ornamental fish and crustaceans, as well as intensive culture methods for tropical copepods, the key prey for larviculture of many marine ornamentals. The data and knowledge generated through R&D are being used to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the multi-billion dollar marine ornamental trade industry while fostering an emerging marine ornamental aquaculture industry.
E chaoshu.zeng@jcu.edu.au P +61 7 4781 6237
Culture systems provide the ability to develop a wide range of novel products for human, animal and plant use. This includes the ability to utilise waste streams from industrial and agricultural systems to provide remediation and access to resources. Researchers from the Novel Aquatic Products and Applications Program are world leaders in the development of novel products using both micro and macro algae for food, energy and health products.
James Cook University has been a world leader in the research and development of macroalgae for more than 14 years and over this period has been a leading international source of high-quality research for the integrated production of macroalgae for the bioremediation of wastewaters.
Both marine and freshwater macroalgae are bio-resources that can be produced through an integrated process with the treatment of waste waters from aquaculture, agriculture, municipal water treatment, and industrial, mining and mineral processing. Our research and development focuses on the integrated production of macroalgae with existing industries for bioremediation (treating waste streams), utilising carefully selected marine and freshwater species. Subsequently, we focus on the development and delivery of valuable bio-products and biotechnologies, based on the unique biochemistry and properties of macroalgae. Our ultimate goal is to develop and commercialise marine and freshwater macroalgae for products ranging from human food and food ingredients (phycocolloids) through to nutraceuticals, animal feeds, fertilisers, biochar and bioenergy.
Dr Andrew Cole
E andrew.cole3@jcu.edu.au P +61 7 4781 5250
Aquaculture is the fastest production sector in the world, particularly in the tropics. However, infectious diseases cause considerable loss to the aquaculture industry and pose latent risks to continued production. At James Cook University, our expertise ranges from viral and bacterial pathogens of crustaceans, to metazoan parasites of fishes.
Research conducted by JCU researchers enables fisheries, aquaculture and government stakeholders, to make informed decisions in regards to stock structure, disease management and import regulations. This marriage of pure and applied research has led to the development of unique and strong partnerships between industry, academia and government agencies. With access to many expert researchers in genetics, nutrition, biotechnology and bioinformatics, the Aquatic Animal health team is well resourced to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to disease management in Tropical Aquaculture species.
Aquatic health specialists undertake sponsored and contract R&D and partner closely with industry to develop solutions that assess and lower disease risk. Projects recently conducted involving industry include assessment of prawn samples to determine the presence of pathogens in wild and aquaculture raised stocks. Research is also focused on the management of viral infections of finfish including Ranavirus and Betanodavirus. Another major R&D capability is in the Vibrio harveyi clade of bacteria and their virulence determinants including the role of bacteriophages.
The Aquaculture Biosecurity and Health team has access to Australia’s largest tertiary aquarium research infrastructure at JCU if required to undertake larger-scale industry-relevant R&D. JCU has developed a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited pathogen detection laboratory, JCU AquaPATH, with capability for shrimp and finfish viral and bacterial pathogens, and offers R&D and commercial testing services to industry.
E kelly.condon@jcu.edu.au P +61 7 4781 6842
The Aquatic Animal team specialises in virology, aquatic epidemiology and general health of sea turtles and freshwater turtles. Current research topics are ranavirus, chelonid herpesvirus 5, normal intestinal microflora, bacteriophage treatment, health assessment criteria for turtles, and leeches as vectors of disease. Dr Ariel is the team leader of the Turtle Health Team, and instigator of the new research facility: "The Caraplace".
Our aquatic health specialists undertake sponsored and contract R&D and partner closely with industry to develop solutions that lower disease risk. Projects recently conducted involving industry include development and testing of a vaccine to prevent VNN in grouper, development of integrated management solutions for tropical marine aquaculture, identification of parasite risks associated with the import of ornamental fishes and optimising procedures involved in assessing turtle health and treatment of sick animals.
E ellen,ariel@jcu.edu.au P +61 7 4781 4123
- Implementing artificial intelligence for the quantitative assessment of abalone in production systems
- Fish sensory analysis and consumers' preference study.
- Positrons in biosystems
- Lobster Aquaculture
- Supporting grouper farming small holders in Vietnam to produce commercial feeds
- Cultivation of Asparagopsis taxiformis
- Macroalgae research
- Improved education and training models to future-proof the aquaculture industry need for skilled staff to 2050
- Application of a machine learning approach for effective stock management of abalone
- Reducing herbicide usage in the Burdekin and Proserpine reef catchment areas with precise robotic weed control in sugarcane
- Tilapia Biocontrol Project.
- Striking Gold - Determining the genetic drivers of gold coloration in barramundi
- Improved productivity and efficiency of the culture based fishery for giant freshwater prawn in Sri Lankan reservoirs.
- Intensification of the redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) industry: the importance of sperm quality and male fertility to productivity.
- Developing Deep Learning Applications for Smart Aquaculture
- Determining the impact of prawn viruses on production of P. monodon
- ARC Research Hub for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture Through Genetic Solutions
- Strategic approaches to prioritising and managing disease risks posed by the importation of ornamental fish
- Establishing Baseline Health Assessment Criteria for Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas)
- Tropical cleaner fish and shrimp as controls of ectoparasites in aquaculture
- Development of Preventative Vacing and iRNA to prevent Viral Nervous Necrosis in giant QLD grouper
- Handling Mortality in Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) from farms
- Establishing Baseline Health Assessment Criteria for Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas)
- Flatback turtle's whereabouts: Identifying migration pathways and critical foraging habitats to protect.
JCU AquaPath - NATA accredited pathogen detection laboratory
Turtle Health Research JCU - Turtle research facility