Profitable Aquaculture Systems

Improving farm profitability by assessing and managing climate related risks on aquaculture farms. This session mainly centres around the thermal management of ponds. A recent research project looked at how aquaculture equipment equipment interacts with prevailing temperatures. 

 

FIRST SESSION

The first workshop will focus heavily on the inter-relationship of climate/weather events with barramundi production - as a species example. Reference and parallels will be drawn to other species through discussion and membership participation where possible.

During the climate workshop, we will be looking at a prototype “cold risk” assessment procedures based upon the simple principle getting to know your farm and cultured species with respect to regional/farm climate issues, pond temperatures, species tolerances, the aquaculture environment and equipment, stock management procedures, seasonal growth, disease occurrence and the “big boggy” of record keeping.

–       The aim of this original study was to identify important factors or techniques which increase productivity and improve animal health on aquaculture farms through the minimisation of stock losses and the cost-effective maximisation of growth.

–       As this project was a joint multidisciplinary study between farmers and DPI&F aquaculture researchers, climate scientists and veterinary staff, we also have some presentation material on our first attempt to develop an early warning system for more severe winters on the basis of the SOI (El Nino/La Nina phenomenon).

–        This research can serve as a model for the investigation of other aquaculture species in different localities using similar technologies and key indicators for other species.

SECOND SESSION

Collaborative On-farm Disease Diagnosis is an innovative, current research project at Walkamin based upon overcoming the problems associated with the need of producers for the rapid diagnosis of disease problems and the real life situation of geographically dispersed farmers, QDPI&F research staff, Aquatic vets and specimen transport difficulties.

The project aim is to prevent and minimise stock losses due to disease or water quality issues on farms through rapid diagnosis and intervention, resulting from improved liaison between all parties and the integration of case histories, modern digital imagery and communications technologies with improved QDPI&F/industry training resources. These undertakings compliment but do not replace the submission of specimens to qualified veterinarians for assessment.