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History of Research and Development

Research and Development (R&D) has been instrumental in the development of southern bluefin tuna (SBT) aquaculture since its inception. Key participants in the early years were the Tuna Boat Owners of South Australian (TBOASA), the Japanese Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation, the South Australian Government’s relevant R&D group, SARDI and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).

The SBT Industry sector through the TBOASA has since the start of SBT farming been committed to R&D. Issues of fish health, product quality, feed development and environmental management have all been considered critical to the industry’s long-term sustainability.

SARDI in the initial stages provided limited R&D support primarily in the area of environmental research. 

The SBT component of the CRC for Aquaculture (1994 to 2001) focused entirely on the development of a manufactured feed as a risk management strategy to the use of baitfish. A path towards commercialisation was instigated by involving Gibson/Pivot Ltd, 5th major commercial aquafeed manufacturer. To achieve this a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was developed that provided in kind and financial returns to the project. Research achieved a semi-moist pellet, which gave similar performance to baitfish fed SBT in experimental cages.

In 2001 the Aquafin Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture of Finfish (Aquafin CRC) commenced. The Aquafin CRC program represents a total investment of $70 million (cash and in-kind) in research support to finfish aquaculture sectors in Australia over 7 years, with approximately 60% of this investment dedicated to SBT research. The initiation of the Aquafin CRC broadened the scope of SBT R&D, not only through financial support, but also through the expertise of its participants. Aquafin CRC participants involved in SBT research include SARDI; University of Tasmania (School of Aquaculture and Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI)); Flinders University; University of Queensland; and the Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). FRDC is a major participant of the Aquafin CRC and has supported both the development of the SBT industry and the coordination of research through the SBT Aquaculture Subprogram, which they initiated.  SARDI is also a participant of the Aquafin CRC.

Left: SBT Aquaculture Subprogram Steering Committee; Right: SARDI researchers deploying a sediment corer.

History of the SBT Aquaculture Subprogram

The Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) Aquaculture Subprogram was initiated in 1997 by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) to promote the orderly planning and management of research and development (R&D) associated with the aquaculture of SBT.  The Subprogram is supported by the SBT aquaculture industry and provides a link between key stakeholders to plan, initiate, coordinate, manage and disseminate R&D. Its success is measured in the level of stakeholder participation and the outcomes achieved.

In 1997 the coordination of the Subprogram commenced as part of ‘Project 1: Implementation and coordination of research experiments conducted with caged SBT, to access manufactured diets, feeding regimes and harvesting techniques (FRDC No: 1997/361)’.  In 2001 this role was formalised in the current, more focused project (FRDC No: 2001/250).  The objectives of this project were to provide a cohesive approach to R&D aimed at meeting the priority needs of the industry; to provide a management structure to oversee the active research projects and ensure that they achieved their desired outcomes; to manage and coordinate the infrastructure and activities associated with SBT research in Port Lincoln, and to provide a focused strategy for disseminating research results to industry, obtain feedback and set research priorities.  The current project (FRDC No: 2004/216) follows on from this.  The Subprogram has also been successful in providing a focus for all SBT research projects in Australia, in particular with the Aquafin CRC Programs: Production; Value Adding; Health; Environment and Education and Training, which have all been run through the Subprogram.

Left: Steven Clarke (SBT Aquaculture Subprogram Leader - SARDI); John Carragher (Senior Scientist - SARDI) and Peter Montague (Execitve Director Aquafin CRC); Right: SBT in pontoons in Port Lincoln (Photo source: Ben Endean).

Aim and objectives of the SBT Aquaculture Subprogram

The mission of the SBT Aquaculture Subprogram is to facilitate and promote through scientific and technical research, the development of a sustainable and profitable SBT aquaculture industry recognised internationally for its product quality, environmental awareness and technical innovation - benefiting Australia.

The SBT Aquaculture Subprogram aims to:

• involve industry in all aspects of research and development;

• ensure that their priorities are addressed and the outcomes adopted;

• achieve research outcomes that increase the profitability of, and reduce the risks to, Australian SBT farmers;

• enhance knowledge of tuna and their environment, so as to facilitate sustainable development and the application of world's best practice;

• empower industry to be actively responsible for its own research and development; and

• develop a communication strategy that delivers results in a timely and readily usable form.

The role of the Subprogram is to:

• develop and regularly review, in association with stakeholders, a strategic plan that provides a focus for R&D and yet is responsive to changing circumstances;

• set R&D priorities to maximise investment in that field, avoid duplication and achieve greatest potential return;

• invite R&D applications to address these priorities;

• maximise collaboration between researches, aquaculture and fisheries managers, and aquaculture and fishing interests;

• attract other R&D funding and influence the way in which other funding entities apply investments in that field;

• standardise on the best scientific methods;

• communicate regularly with potential beneficiaries; and

• facilitate the adoption of R&D results.

The SBT Subprogram will fulfil its role through the following:

• A Steering Committee consisting of people with relevant skills and expertise that meets quarterly to facilitate the delivery and communication of primary outcomes. Its key objectives will be to oversee Subprogram operational plans, budgets and communications.

• A project Coordination Committee that meets twice yearly to ensure that the use of R&D resources is optimised and duplication is avoided. Its key objectives will be to facilitate R&D project collaboration and coordination by developing optimised operational and budget plans; reviewing project methodology, progress and direction; and optimising and coordinating communication of research results to stakeholders.

• A Subprogram Leader with the necessary skills, linkages and in-kind resources to provide leadership, administration support and facilitate communication.

• The Subprogram will utilise as required the services of independent scientific advisers to facilitate R&D that is world’s best practice, to deliver desired outcomes and to optimise synergies with other researchers and relevant programs. A key objective will be to provide advice on enhancing existing and new proposals. Their core competencies should include expertise, impartiality and collaborative linkages.

• The Subprogram, through its communications strategy, will promote its roles, responsibilities, structure and membership to existing or potential stakeholders with interests in SBT aquaculture.

Left: SBT Aquaculture Subprogram publications; Right: Joe Puglisi Jnr and stakeholders (Photo source: TBOASA).

SBT Aquaculture Subprogram website

For more information on the SBT Aquaculture Subprogram please visit our website www.sardi.sa.gov.au/sbt (external site).

Contact

Steven Clarke
SBT Aquaculture Subprogram Leader