Southern Bluefin Tuna - Introduction to SBT Research and Development

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 have been the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association (ASBTIA), previously the Tuna Boat Owners Association of South Australia (TBOASA), the Japanese Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation, the South Australian Government’s relevant R&D group, SARDI, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and other participants of the prior Cooperative Research Centre for Aquaculture and the Cooperative Research Centre for the Sustainable Aquaculture of Finfish (Aquafin CRC).
Research is now managed by the newly formed SBT Research Council. The SBT Research Program is managed by David Ellis (ASBTIA).

R&D priorities

In 2001 the Subprogram produced The previous Strategic Plan ‘Southern Bluefin Tuna Aquaculture Strategic R&D Plan 2001-2006: Sustainability & Innovation for the Future’ outlined nine focus areas ‘Feeds and Nutrition; Environment; Farm Husbandry and Management; Health; Product Diversification, Quality and Management; Propagation; Communication; People Development and Support; and Work Environment’. All of these nine focus areas were well addressed through Aquafin CRC and FRDC projects that were part of the previous (FRDC Project No. 2001/250) and current Subprogram projects.

In 2008 a new Strategic R&D Plan was developed. The new strategic plan ‘Southern Bluefin Tuna Aquaculture Strategic R&D Plan – Towards 2012: Striving for a Profitable and Sustainable Future’ describes the local and international environment in which the SBT Aquaculture Subprogram operates to achieve the desired R&D outcomes and the strategies to achieve the desired outcomes.

The SBT Aquaculture Strategic R&D Plan – Towards 2012 covers the strategic direction of the wild-caught SBT Aquaculture industry only and does not include the strategic directions of the hatchery-reared SBT Aquaculture industry sector, a decision of the Steering Committee.

The ASBTIA have undertaken to amend this document in the future to include the strategic direction of the SBT wild fisheries sector.

A summary of the present aims, strategies and risks associated with SBT farming as per the SBT Aquaculture Strategic R&D Plan – Towards 2012, is listed below (Table 1).

Table 1. Present aims and strategies associated with southern bluefin tuna farming (an extract from the Southern Bluefin Tuna Aquaculture (Wild-Capture) Strategic R&D Plan – Towards 2012: Striving for a Profitable and Sustainable Future; Clarke and Ham (Eds, 2008))

1. A Responsive Regulatory Environment & Abundant Resources
Aims	Strategies
To ensure a ready supply of stock for farming.	Support the management of a sustainable SBT wild fishery through the provision of relevant farm based research.
To ensure availability of lease sites is not limiting for existing or future SBT farmers.	Ensure adequate environmental knowledge exists to allow for development of appropriate policy Engage government regulatory agencies and the community in R&D outcomes. Through independent research maintain community and government confidence in industry practices.
To optimise baitfish availability and quality for use as feed.	Support the management of sustainable baitfish wild fisheries through the provision of relevant farm based research.
To plan for environmental change so as to optimise benefits and minimise risks.	Support climate change R&D that characterises possible benefits, risks and management options.
To ensure a ready source of capable employees.	Contribute to the development and review of education and training programs. Ensure that R&D outcomes are rapidly incorporated into curricula. Workshops (training)
2. Cost-Efficient & Responsible Production Systems
To grow the size and value of the industry.	Support longer term holding initiatives by participating in industry trials, collating the resultant information and improving feeding strategies. Improve overall growth consistency by better handling practices to reduce stress, and optimising feeding strategies for different age classes of SBT.
To improve the efficiency of industry farming operations so as to decrease operating costs.	Understand and better manage the effects of stress on SBT growth, condition and survival. Increase SBT production efficiency through targeted R&D to further refine baitfish feeds and feeding techniques. Understanding tuna physiology to target better nutrition to improve growth and feed efficiency Further improve manufactured pelleted feeds for use as supplementary or primary feeds by enhancing their acceptance by SBT and reducing costs through optimal ingredient selection (including fishmeal and oil replacement). Improve growth rates on manufactured pelleted feeds and reduce feed conversion ratios. Support engineering R&D to develop or introduce and refine existing farm husbandry infrastructure (e.g. fouling management).
To minimise the possible environmental and disease risks associated with tuna farming through a proactive approach and enhanced knowledge.	Establish real time or early environmental warning systems, relevant environmental trigger points, and farm husbandry and management responses to address the key issues identified. Continuously refine SBT farming data and existing hydro-biogeochemical models of the tuna farming regions to proactively define, evaluate and manage risks. Support proactive research that identifies potential disease issues, develops rapid and cost effective diagnostic capabilities, and addresses the epidemiology of diseases thereby potentially enhancing solutions through animal husbandry and farm management practices (e.g. Uronema). Reduce SBT losses and stress related issues through optimised management of predators.
3. An Optimised & Integrated Supply Chain
To optimise product quality and safety so as to maximise financial returns and improve market competitiveness.	Continue to align sampling methodologies and collect appropriate environmental residue data to proactively address changing trade standards for existing and new markets. Develop and implement a sophisticated and reliable product trace system to achieve world’s best practise in safety management and provide for markets increasingly desiring more knowledge of their product. Enhance mechanisms to control and optimise product quality characteristics. Leverage R&D outcomes to promote the reputation of farmed SBT and its differentiation from competitors. Develop integrated bioeconomic farm support systems in the forms of models and software.
To develop a market & consumer culture.	Through market R&D (consumers, wholesalers and retailers) identify and improve farmer and researcher knowledge of the key factors affecting product purchases and how these factors can be enhanced along the whole-of-supply chain.
4. People & Partnerships
To empower industry to effectively participate in and influence key decision making.	Support the continuation of the SBT Aquaculture Subprogram in providing industry leadership in identifying, managing and communicating R&D outcomes, as well as forging strong relationships between industry, Government regulators and researchers.
To strive for world’s best R&D that delivers a profitable, innovative and continuously improving industry.	Establish world leading R&D by supporting the development of infrastructure and organisational capability to attract people that can efficiently and effectively address SBT R&D needs. Manage R&D expenditure to develop and retain capable R&D resources. Establish linkages with preferred service providers who target and achieve industry priority R&D outcomes through an integrated multidisciplinary team approach. Share R&D information between industry participants to facilitate the development of decision support tools. Support education and training of industry personnel so that R&D is understood, supported, and rapidly and appropriately applied by industry.
To facilitate continuous improvement in OHS&W.	Support engineering R&D and operational solutions to improve OHS&W for employees of commercial SBT farming companies and research organisations, thereby reducing potential insurance liabilities.
5. Image & Communications
To continuously improve the industry profile and image.	Promote the leadership role that the industry provides in sustainable aquaculture development. Use transparency to minimise risk from NGO criticism. Enhance communication of R&D to highlight the direct and indirect benefits of the industry to Government and the community. Communicate the outcomes of R&D on the environment to promote industry’s continuous improvement program. Enhance local and international public awareness through the provision of targeted information on web sites, in newsletters and in communications with the media. Ensure Industry and R&D practices meet with or exceed relevant animal welfare regulatory standards.