Barramundi industry to benefit from AMC research

They may be a long way from home but the tropical barramundi at the centre of research in Tasmania could provide valuable outcomes to industry throughout Australia.

The juvenile barramundi at the AMC's National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability are the subject of numerous research streams all aimed at giving the edge to the emerging commercial barramundi industry.

Currently a team of six is working on the unique Tasmanian project that encompasses areas such as artificial lighting, nutrition and effects of water temperature on barramundi growth.

"These projects are certainly unique in that research on a tropical species is being done in Tasmania," said Dr Ryan Wilkinson of NCMCRS's Department of Seafood Quality and Safety.

"We're doing research that will ultimately, one day, support the industry by addressing relevant commercial questions or problems".

"Part of my research is investigating the impacts of harvest methods and how they impact on flesh quality. Obviously, if you can harvest the fish in a manner that results in a good quality product, that's going to be beneficial for the industry".

"We also have a PHD student (Kristen Worrall) working on the use of artificial lighting on barramundi. We can subject the barramundi to artificial lighting and we've shown that it can increase the growth rates."

Another research area focuses on nutrition, according to NCMCRS's Dr Robin Katersky.

"One of the driving factors for our research is the fact that fishmeal, which is the main protein source in fish feeds, is not an unlimited resource so with increased pressure on fisheries you get a decrease in the amount of fishmeal that's available as well as increasing price. So we're looking for alternative sources of protein and that's where our research is focused. We have been examining lupins for the barramundi and how it affects the fish's physiology and metabolism and therefore the growth."

The research team:

Professor Chris Carter: group leader.

Dr Ryan Wilkinson (Postdoctoral research fellow): use of artificial lighting and barramundi growth / impacts of harvest method on flesh quality.

Dr Robin Katersky (Postdoctoral research fellow): effects of temperature and nutrition on the growth physiology of barramundi.

Dr Andrew Bridle (Postdoctoral research fellow): application of molecular biology techniques for the study of barramundi nutrition.

Kristen Worrall (PhD Student): use of artificial lighting and barramundi growth.

Ramez Alhazzaa (PhD Student): use of alternative sources of omega-3 oils in barramundi aquaculture.

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