Shoalhaven Marine & Freshwater Centre

Sustainable marine food production systems - the case for seaweed

Pia Winberg — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:15:18 PDT

Abstract of paper that presented at Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Wollongong, Australia, Friday 30 November 2012.

Climate change and marine living resources

Pia C. Winberg — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:35:08 PST

Marine living resources encompass the full suite of marine biodiversity that provides for ecological services, such as bio-geochemical cycling of nutrients, commercial operations such as coral reef tourism, and primary production from fisheries and aquaculture. This chapter will focus on the last of these, marine living resources for food production, and infer the practical challenges that climate change will place on these resources across subsistence, artisanal and global fisheries and aquaculture operations and in different socioeconomic conditions in the Asia Pacific.

A molecular survey of Ulva (Chlorophyta) in temperate Australia reveals enhanced levels of cosmopolitanism

Lisa Kirkendale — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:05:18 PST

The green algal genus Ulva includes a speciose group of marine macroalgae inhabiting shallow seas worldwide. Although algal blooms in Asia highlight the opportunistic nature of several “nuisance” species, recent research clearly reveals important positive benefits of Ulva. Applied research requires accurate, reliable, and rapid identification, however, identification of Ulva spp. has met with con-siderable difficulty. Consequently, many have turned to molecular markers to aid in taxonomy. Previous studies of plants and algae have relied heavily on ITS and rbcL. Recently, tufA has been presented as a suitable barcoding gene to facilitate species-level identification of green macroalgae and it is used here to explore the diversity of Ulva spp. in temperate Australia. Ninety Ulva specimens collected from 38 sites across five states were sequenced for this gene region with exemplars from each genetic group also sequenced for rbcL to test for congruence. Collections of Australian Ulva spp. were compared to samples from Asia and North America and exhibited trends consistent with recent studies in terms of species relationships. Results support an overwhelmingly cosmopolitan flora in temperate Australia that contrasts with other Australasian surveys of Ulva that report a greater number of endemics and new species. Four new records, as well as numerous range extensions for taxa already known from the country, are documented. Evidence for three nonindigenous Ulva species in temperate Australia is discussed.

Oyster Information Portal- a user-group focused 'Coastal Google' for the future

Ana M. Rubio-Zuazo — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:05:17 PST

Catchment managers and estuarine seafood industries have highlighted the need to consolidate natural resource and industry information that currently exits but that is dispersed and inaccessible. Accessing and interpreting this information will contribute to better understanding and responding to catchment processes and change; thus increasing the potential for long-term healthy catchments and the viability of local industries that they support.

The oyster industry is a cornerstone of the NSW seafood industry that recognises the importance of good water quality and catchment management. Thus, this industry has prompted the development of a user friendly spatial information portal where data is collated, consolidated and delivered through a centralised point – the Oyster Information Portal (OIP). This prototype has been developed in a GIS environment and delivered through an online website with graphical interpretation of temporal environmental data. The data and information categories were prioritised by catchment managers and industry members through meetings and industry workshops. Of importance was that top priority categories of information were the same for industry and catchment managers alike. Priority data includes water quality, catchment impacts and oyster industry management practices that form the base of the current OIP prototype. Additional information on climate projections, governance and research outputs also form part of the OIP to provide a more holistic and integrated synthesis of information related to the catchment.

The OIP prototype has been developed for 4 NSW Local Government Areas (Camden Haven, Hawkesbury, Shoalhaven and Pambula). The relevance of the OIP to applied outcomes will be presented through case study scenarios. The OIP facilitates catchment stakeholders to engage with catchment processes, patterns and trends. In the long term the intention is that the OIP concept can better facilitate adaptation to catchment and environmental change.

Monitoring the canaries of our catchments

C Nash — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:05:17 PST

Oysters play a key role in the ecology of estuaries as a result of their efficient filtration capacity, which assists in the maintenance of water clarity and aquatic ecosystems. Oysters are often referred to as the ‘canaries’ of our catchments, as healthy oysters reflect healthy estuaries. Therefore the oyster industry is a key indicator of the health and performance of our estuaries and important stewards of these environments. The industry is required to regularly monitor oyster/water quality as part of the intensive Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (SQAP) (valued at $17,000 - $43,000 depending on the estuary). The industry’s diligence with this monitoring program means that any unexpected event entering the waterbody can be quickly identified and managed accordingly.

Value-adding onto the SQAP, oysters are being used in an innovative estuarine monitoring program that Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority and researchers at the Shoalhaven Marine and Freshwater Centre are undertaking in direct partnership with the oyster industry. Using commercial automated oyster graders (already in use in the industry and tested as potential monitoring tools) pilot trials have been monitoring oyster growth and mortality at different locations within NSW estuaries for a year (May 2010 to 2011).

Through the surveillance of growth and mortality in different growing areas of an estuary, sites can be characterised and changes in performance identified. This information is currently being linked to existing environmental data collected by the oyster industry and other estuarine/catchment managers. The information on husbandry techniques and environmental conditions can be used to improve management operations for the industry. More importantly this information can be used by other stakeholders and managers interested in understanding the health of our estuaries as oysters can be used as bioindicators of these aquatic systems. This monitoring program is an innovative example of a cooperative partnership where effort and cost by different groups/agencies is maximised to achieve estuary wide benefits.

Scaling up for New Opportunities in the Practical Use of Algae (Applied Phycology)

Pia Winberg — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:52:06 PST

This report details a travel and conference summary undertaken by Dr. Pia Winberg, the Executive Director and Director of Seaweeds Australia and the Shoalhaven Marine and Freshwater Centre, University of Wollongong. It reports on the current global status of applied algal research and industries as presented at the peak international congress for applied algal research, the 4th Congress of the International Society for Applied Phycology 2011. This report is aimed at government, research and industry networks interested in the current development of applied algal technology, enterprise and future potential for Australia. This encompasses both microalgal and seaweed applications, many of which have common ground but also each with unique strengths and opportunities for application

The Dynamic and Distribution of Food Supplies for the Sydney rock oyster in southern NSW estuaries

Ana M. Rubio — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:26:11 PST

The primary outcome of this study has been to increase the understanding of the environmental drivers that influence the southern NSW Sydney rock oyster (SRO) industry, in particular in the Clyde and Crookhaven/Shoalhaven estuaries and to identify some of the factors that limit the production of SRO. Increased amounts of nitrogen and organic carbon are delivered by increased river flows following rain events and these were found to significantly enhance oyster growth in the two south NSW estuaries. During normal and/or dry conditions, the estuaries were nitrogen-limited suppressing primary production and, potentially, oyster growth. On the other hand, during heavy rain periods, large amounts of nitrogen entered the estuaries, which then became phosphorus-limited. Optimally an intermediate level of Nitrogen:Phosphorus ratio is desired for enhancing SRO production in the south coast of NSW so that neither nutrient is limiting.

Using an automated oyster grading machine for long-term monitoring of oyster performance

Ana M. Rubio — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:21:43 PST

While large, good condition, well-shaped oysters have high market value, they require optimal growing conditions and labour intensive techniques to culture. To handle this NSW oyster growers are progressively moving towards innovative technologies, one of which allows automated bulk processing of oysters. Growers now purchase sophisticated graders that clean, count and sort large number of oysters quickly and efficiently. While graders are routinely used to count and sort oysters into batches of similar size, these machines are actually measuring the characteristics of individual oysters. This presents an unprecedented opportunity to collect high-quality oyster growth and growing area performance data. This project focuses on the assessment of oyster lease and cultivation method performance. This can be translated into a management tool for improving the industries’ productivity and environmental sustainability. The project also demonstrates the possibility of implementing a long term oyster performance monitoring program, with minimum additional effort from the growers.

The importance of spatial scale for the conservation of tidal flat macrobenthos: An example from New South Wales, Australia

Pia C. Winberg — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:32:00 PDT

Planners of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) commonly use maps of habitat types when choosing areas to conserve. This assumes that habitats are homogeneous, and therefore, that any area of habitat will represent the full spectrum of ecological diversity within that habitat. Here, we report that macrobenthic assemblages in tidal flat habitats were spatially heterogeneous in terms of beta diversity (taxonomic turnover), abundance, taxonomic richness and Shannon–Wiener H′ Diversity. Importantly, the patterns of heterogeneity were scale dependent for the three spatial scales we examined; plots (20 m), sites (100s of m) and estuaries (km). The three estuaries in the study were compositionally similar as they shared the same dominant taxa, although one estuary had significantly more taxa and a higher abundance of macrobenthos. Assemblages within tidal flats differed at scales of 100s of m for all ecological measures. Most notably, beta diversity was highest at this scale. Assemblages were relatively more homogeneous at the 20-m scale. These findings highlight the value of examining more than one ecological measure and estimating magnitude of effects across a variety of scales. This work presents two important considerations for MPAs. First, although tidal flats in different estuaries are compositionally similar for dominant taxa, rarer taxa and high heterogeneity in abundance should influence the choice and number of tidal flats in MPAs. Second, strong compositional heterogeneity within individual tidal flats implies that conservation of whole habitat, rather than sections of a tidal flat, is essential if this habitat type is to be used to represent taxonomic diversity.

Review on the use and production of algae and manufactured diets as feed for sea-based abalone aquaculture in Victoria

Lisa Kirkendale — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:58:55 PDT

This review was initiated by the Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Victoria, and a need for updated information on the current and potential use of seaweeds in abalone diets, with particular reference to suitable off-shore grow-out systems of abalone in Victoria. Abalone aquaculture in Australia is predominantly land-based and uses artificial feeds, primarily composed of cereal crops. Although great improvements have been made in the development of artificial feeds for land based systems, there are both economic and environmental reasons to re-consider feed composition for abalone, particularly in relation to the potential for sea based systems.

Ecological Impacts of Floodgates on Estuarine Faunal Assemblages

Pia C. Winberg — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:53:46 PDT

Floodgates and drainage networks, in addition to natural channels and tributaries, have been developed extensively throughout agricultural lands on the estuarine floodplains of NSW for drainage of agricultural fields and pastures. A characteristic and unfortunate consequence of draining and exposing previously waterlogged floodplains to oxygen, is the oxidation of reduced pyritic soils to produce sulfuric acid. Mass fish kills and poor water quality are dramatic and well documented effects of floodgate and drain management of floodplains in northern NSW, following intensive rain and high flush events that release stored reservoirs of acidic water from upstream of floodgates.

Seaweed Culture in Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture - Nutritional Benefits and Systems for Australia

Pia C. Winberg — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:40:18 PDT

This review contains a summary of the nutritional analysis and potential health benefits of eight seaweed genera, to support decisions on genera/species that could be cultivated in South East Australia, and integrated into aquaculture production systems. The health benefits associated with seaweeds are critical in identifying marketable products for a future seaweed industry. By identifying the potential for seaweeds to be marketed as a healthy food, a strategy with which to progress the development of pilot commercial systems of seaweed culture of local species, and integrate these systems with the current developments in the aquaculture industry can be made. Australia may be just a few years away from becoming truly competitive in the seafood aquaculture industry, if it rises to the challenge of promoting itself as the healthy and environmentally friendly primary producer. Seaweed culture can be a key factor in this challenge.

Using Algae in the 21st Century - Novel Opportunities in a Changing World

Pia C. Winberg — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:34:10 PDT

This report summarizes the latest research and industry trends through conference sessions that were of relevance to the potential seaweed industries in Australia. These sessions included algal culture, algal products (especially biofuels), health and nutrition and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems.

Impacts of Tidal Barriers on the Ecology of Flood Mitigation Drain Fish Assemblages

Tom Heath — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:52:01 PDT

Seaweed cultivation pilot trials – towards culture systems and marketable products

Pia C. Winberg — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:46:10 PDT

Globally, seaweed is the largest aquaculture production by volume at over eight million wet metric tonnes per annum (FAO 2003). Mostly this production is for traditional foods in Asia and the commodity markets of agar, alginates and carageenans. However, there is also untapped potential in smaller, high product value markets for nutritional and health applications. This is where Australia's best investment in a seaweed industry may lie.

Australia has a number of advantages and opportunities that present themselves with regard to the development of a seaweed cultivation industry. Of particular advantage for Australia is the large coastal zone area with unpolluted waters. This fits very well with the production of high quality health and food products that require internationally recognised traceability and testable safety standards. The development of seaweed cultivation technology in the coastal zone could also pave the way for new crops in large areas of saline affected agricultural land; an as yet unrealised ambition. Alternative saline tolerant and low freshwater demanding crops will be important to food and water security in a changing climate. The expansion of land-based aquaculture industries in Australia also present an opportunity to investigate the development of seaweed cultivation technology by making use of aquaculture infrastructure, such as seawater intakes, to develop scaled-up cultivation systems. This also provides environmental benefits to the aquaculture industry.

There are however serious challenges to overcome. Australia has no tradition in the cultivation of seaweed and application of the science supporting it. The propagation and control of complex biological lifecycles and the physiological requirements of Australian seaweeds are not well established. As for any new and emerging industry, lessons need to be learned from the overseas experience and new and innovative solutions for the Australian context need to be developed. In addition, Australia will have to develop its own track record, profile and niche products in this industry where the greatest value is likely to come from products with high nutritional and health benefits.

This report presents findings that demonstrate an untapped potential for cultivation of a number of local Australian seaweed species, but it also identifies the challenges facing commercial-scale production. Importantly, it also provides evidence that Australia has the capacity and potential to undertake cutting edge screening and development of healthy seaweed products, in particular, products with nutraceutical and anti-cancer applications.

This report is an addition to RIRDC's diverse range of over 2000 research publications and it forms part of our New Plant Products R&D program, which aims to facilitate the development of new industries based on plants or plant products that have commercial potential for Australia.