ASI Update

Topics covered today

•  R&D - Condition Project –  Shell density

–  Mortality

–  POMS

•  Commercial Stock –  Stock details

–  Availability

Shell Density

•  Shell density measures made on 42 families from the 2009 year class

•  mostly 9 animals per family (3 animals, 3reps)

•  Measures were made on the lower (cupped) shell only.

•  Dry weight/submerged weight

Shell Density-Results

•  average shell density was 2.3 g / cm3

•  Shell density is under strong genetic control

•  Heritability of shell density = 0.56

•  Low phenotypic variation of shell density

•  Shell density and shell weight have slight negative correlation (rg = -0.26)

•  Unknown correlation with shell density and qualitative shell assessments

What’s next?

•  PhD student looking at shell structural properties

•  Relate shell quality to survival

•  Incorporate into breeding program

Mortality-SAMS

•  Large effort being put into building on previous results

•  YC09 generation suffered mortality event at Smoky Bay in August 2011

•  Cleanest mortality data to date

•  Results showed a strong genetic correlation

•  Replicates close

•  Best surviving families have genetic links

•  Genetic links to high surviving commercial families

SAMS- What’s next?

•  Repeat Smoky Bay test

•  Cowell and Coffins Bay stress test with young spat

•  YC11 generation

•  ~2-3mm input size

•  Subject to commercial stressors

•  Gabby’s honors project

POMS background

•  Feb 2011 - POMS confirmed as being present in Australia. Georges River, NSW

•  Apr 2011 – ASI stock subjected to natural challenge In Georges R.

•  Apr 2012 – ASI stock subjected to 2nd natural challenge in Georges R.

•  June 2012 – Results analysed and EBV’s generated

POMS 2nd natural challenge

•  Families produced in Nov/Dec 2011

•  Moved to Port Stephens in March 2012

•  43 families ~ 1000-2000 per family

•  Freshwater inputs hindered deployment

•  Deployed to Georges R. Apr 2012

POMS 2nd natural challenge

Family challenge site in Woolooware Bay, Georges River, NSW. A total of 9 trays were used and trays were configured in a planned field design and all on a single oyster rack.

POMS 2nd natural challenge

Some Considerations

•  Small spat used

•  Management tools not used

•  Don’t need 100% survival to be of immediate value to industry

•  Infection rates if susceptible families not present

Some rithmatic !

•  Total cost of work = 75K

•  75/2.8= 26K national industry money

•  26/3= 9K Tas contribution

•  State Gov contribution?

•  9K/70=$128 per grower

•  Value for money???

What next ?

•  R&D project in development with the following objectives

–  To measure levels of resistance within the ASI program

–  To correlate natural field challenge and infectivity model results

–  To evaluate breeding strategy options for inclusion of POMS resistance within the program and how this relates to existing trait selection.

–  To investigate the establishment of a broodstock repository with animals that have survived a challenge event

Commercial- Cameron’s

•  Cameron’s produced line based on performance traits but also POMS trial

•  Excellent grower feedback so far

•  Timely supply guaranteed

•  ASI also performed cross and performed well in 2nd POMS trial

Commercial-Shellfish Culture

•  Line 8A available this spring

•  3rd season of production, known performer

•  Producing another batch for summer sales based on SAMS results and performance traits

•  ASI triploid crosses also available

Genetics not always straight forward