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, grouper, marine shrimp, pearl oysters, tropical abalone, sea cucumbers, freshwater crayfish, micro- and macroalgae and ornamental fish.
This theme is led by A/Prof Leo Nankervis. (leo.nankervis@jcu.edu.au)
Researchers from the CSTFA have experience and expertise in the major biological and industry aspects of farming tropical aquaculture species, including domestication of new species, hatchery and nursery techniques, aquatic animal health, diagnostics and biosecurity, nutrition and feed development, bioremediation, sustainable livelihoods, seafood quality and safety, reproductive control, and the application of advanced selective breeding techniques. Having researched alongside industry with many of the relevant aquaculture species farmed in tropical regions of the world, CSTFA researchers are one of the best groups globally to partner and train in R&D related to tropical aquaculture.
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)
- use of machine learning and computer vision to phenotype fish and shrimp
- identification and prevalence of commercially important aquatic pathogens
- Near-infra-red assessment of flesh quality traits in barramundi
- feed development using plant-based and alternative protein sources
- bioremediation of waste nutrients using macroalgae
- influence of microbial communities for health and productivity of aquaculture species.
For more information on our research initiatives and collaborations, please contact Dr Dean Jerry.
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.
For more information on our research initiatives and collaborations, please contact Prof Kyall Zenger
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.
For more information on our research initiatives and collaborations, please contact A/Prof Leo Nankervis
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.
For more information on our research initiatives and collaborations, please contact A/Prof Chaoshu Zeng
E chaoshu.zeng@jcu.edu.au P +61 7 4781 6237
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. Our research focuses on advancing aquaculture sustainability through the cultivation of low trophic species, particularly macroalgae, and the implementation of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems with a focus of integrated production with existing industries for bioremediation (treating waste streams), utilising carefully selected 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.
Our work on IMTA emphasizes the synergistic integration of various aquatic species, such as finfish, shellfish, and macroalgae, to enhance nutrient recycling and reduce waste, thereby increasing farm productivity and ecological health. We evaluate the ecosystem services provided by these systems, including nutrient uptake, carbon sequestration, and habitat enhancement, while examining the environmental impacts of aquaculture practices. Through collaboration with diverse stakeholders, we aim to contribute to the global transition toward sustainable aquaculture that minimizes environmental impacts and maximizes economic viability. Ultimately, our goal is to support the development of innovative aquaculture systems that harness the potential of low trophic species and promote ecological resilience, aligning with our commitment to fostering sustainable practices in the aquaculture industry.
For more information on our research initiatives and collaborations, please contact Dr Mark Cyrus.
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.
For more information on our research initiatives and collaborations, please contact Dr Kelly Condon
E kelly.condon@jcu.edu.au P +61 7 4781 6842
JCU AquaPath - NATA accredited pathogen detection laboratory