Research and Development
Research and Development
The Darwin Aquaculture Centre (DAC) has undertaken a range of Research and Development projects on pearl oysters, prawns, barramundi, mud crabs, reef fish, copepods and algae during the 15 years since it was established.
Research and development priorities are regularly reviewed with industry. The Strategic Plan for Northern Territory Fisheries Research and Development details the current direction of aquaculture research in the NT.
The DAC has often taken a collaborative approach to aquaculture Research and Development, partnering with Queensland, Western Australia and overseas organisations so that a critical mass of researchers and technicians can be gathered to address particular projects.
The Research and Development at the DAC has been generously supported over the years by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and Ausindustry. These funds have leveraged those supplied by the Northern Territory Government and industry. We have also been fortunate to benefit from collaboration and support from a range of other organisations including:
- Skrettings
- Marine Harvest
- McRobert Aquaculture Systems
- Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC)
- Cooperative Research Centre for Aquaculture (CRC for Aquaculture)
- Western Australian Fisheries (WA Fisheries)
- Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI)
Current Research
The research arm of the DAC is currently working on a 3 year FRDC funded project entitled ‘Development of commercial production systems for mud crab (Scylla serrata) aquaculture in Australia: Part 1 hatchery and nursery”. This project is undertaken in collaboration with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre, and the commercial partners Seafarm, McRobert Aquaculture Systems, and ProAqua. Research is progressing well, milestones have been reached and the mud crab group is optimistic of transferring the technology to the private sector.
The Darwin Aquaculture Centre is also directly involved in research to improve barramundi fingerling production and the development of techniques to control nodavirus in fish production.
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Mud crab aquaculture techniques have been successfully developed by the Centre’s crustacean research team. |
Research into the culture of golden snapper, Lutjanus johnii, was successfully completed in 1999. |
