Research projects
Parasites of wild and farmed fishes
Project Funding: Australian Biological Resources Study and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation 2007-2010
Parasites have the potential to limit the growth of Australian fishing industries, especially aquaculture, through mortality, morbidity and reduced marketability. A majority of the parasites of recreational, commercial and farmed Australian finfish has not been collected, studied or described. We have surveyed 12 important Australian finfish species and documented their parasite assemblages, placing emphasis on parasitic crustaceans (e.g. sea-lice) and helminths (e.g. flukes). More than 120 parasite species were identified. The final report for this project (see Publications) will be available through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation in March 2011.
Blood fluke infections of fishes
Project Funding: Jame Cook University Early Career Researcher Rising Stars Program 2012
Blood flukes of fishes (Aporocotylidae, Trematoda) infect some of the most commercially-valued marine and freshwater fishes in the world. They can be highly pathogenic to their intermediate and definitive hosts. Asexual stages castrate their intermediate host and eggs laid by adult parasites can cause asphyxiation and mass mortality in cultured fish. Unlike most other trematode families which are transmitted through trophic interactions, blood flukes have an infective free-swimming stage that can directly infect their fish host through penetration. As part of the JCU ECR Rising Stars project, we will develop diagnostic tools for detection of blood fluke in aquaculture fishes. In addition, recent collections of blood flukes from Australian marine fishes indicate that there is a diversity of undescribed species. As an extension of the ABRS funded project (above) we continue to characterise blood fluke of wild and farmed finfish using morphological and molecular methods.
Enhancing adaptive capacity for farming barramundi
Project Funding: National Climate Change Adaption Research Facility/Fisheries Research and Development Corporation 2011-2013
Climate change – higher water temperatures and extreme salinity fluctuations – is expected to exacerbate the frequency and intensity of parasite epizootics in aquaculture by enabling parasites to complete their life-cycles faster. Farms may suffer escalating production costs because parasites can spread easily and cost effective, efficient management methods may not be available. Biological information for many parasites of barramundi (Lates calcarifer) are unknown (e.g. species determination, epidemiology, fecundity, time to reach sexual maturity, adult longevity and effect of water temperature and salinity). This project will provide comprehensive data on parasite life-cycle parameters for a breadth of environmental conditions. Integrated parasite management strategies will be identified to aid the adaptive capacity of industry to climate-induced parasite outbreaks in the tropics.
Integrated algal-fish culture: a natural control against ectoparasites
Project Funding: James Cook University, Faculty of Sciences and Engineering Grant 2011
Various parasitic organisms infect marine fishes, but monogeneans (flatworms) and sea-lice (copepods) have been detrimental to warm water finfish aquaculture in Australia. Parasitic flatworms (Neobenedenia spp.) and sea-lice (Lernanthropus sp.) are notorious pathogens of tropical and subtropical fishes in aquaria and aquaculture worldwide. Natural chemicals produced by marine algae could act as control against ectoparasite infections of fishes. The aim of this research is to determine the effects of red, green and brown seaweed extract as natural controls against ectoparasite infections of barramundi and elucidate the mechanism(s) of action across the life history stages of ectoparasites Neobenedenia and Lernanthropus. This study will set the platform for future research on alternative technologies for the management and control of ectoparasites in aquaculture, and the integration of macroalgae into intensive aquaculture for parasite control.