very small protozoan parasite that infects relating to mortalities that have an unusual oysters and, in sufficient numbers, kills presentation or occur on a large scale on the host. It has been responsible for the downturn farms. A limited number of investigations of of the European oyster industry since the 1970s this nature were undertaken in 2015; usually and has been recorded in many countries, the diagnosis remained open, or water quality including New Zealand and Australia. In the issues were implicated. 1990s, Victorian farmers began trialling native oyster (Ostrea angasi) culture in Port Phillip and Translocation protocols control movements of Western Port bays. Severe epizootics of Bonamia fish and other species of aquatic animals onto sp. resulted in the death of large numbers of both and off farms and waterways. The stringent cultured and wild oysters, and so farming requirements applying to some species in attempts were abandoned. some circumstances may include veterinary certification and testing, which reduce the risk In recent years, there has been a resurgence in of endemic disease transfer. interest in this highly prized oyster, with hopes to grow production to commercial levels. Research and development Unfortunately, testing by DEDJTR has shown collaborations evidence of the parasite in farmed oysters since 2011 (see Section 8.1.1). The objectives of this During 2015, DEDJTR entered into a contract collaborative research project are to elucidate the with the Fisheries Research and Development species of Corporation (FRDC) as lead organisation in a project on bonamiasis in native oysters. Bonamia involved in Victoria and states, This is a national collaboration, with co- determine what potential stressors cause investigators located at CSIRO (Portarlington) conversion from subclinical to clinical disease and in South Australia. The project operates (with death of the oysters), and provide from 2015 to August 2017. The FRDC practical advice to farmers on how to avoid is providing $395 000 in funding for the oyster losses, given that the parasite seems to research. endemically infect farmed oysters and there is no treatment. The intracellular parasite Bonamia sp. is a
relating to mortalities that have an unusual presentation or occur on a large scale on farms. A limited number of investigations of this nature were undertaken in 2015; usually the diagnosis remained open, or water quality issues were implicated. Translocation protocols control movements of fish and other species of aquatic animals onto and off farms and waterways. The stringent requirements applying to some species in some circumstances may include veterinary certification and testing, which reduce the risk of endemic disease transfer. Research and development collaborations During 2015, DEDJTR entered into a contract with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) as lead organisation in a project on bonamiasis in native oysters. This is a national collaboration, with co- investigators located at CSIRO (Portarlington) and in South Australia. The project operates from 2015 to August 2017. The FRDC is providing $395 000 in funding for the research. The intracellular parasite Bonamia sp. is a very small protozoan parasite that infects oysters and, in sufficient numbers, kills the host. It has been responsible for the downturn of the European oyster industry since the 1970s and has been recorded in many countries, including New Zealand and Australia. In the 1990s, Victorian farmers began trialling native oyster (Ostrea angasi) culture in Port Phillip and Western Port bays. Severe epizootics of Bonamia sp. resulted in the death of large numbers of both cultured and wild oysters, and so farming attempts were abandoned. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest in this highly prized oyster, with hopes to grow production to commercial levels. Unfortunately, testing by DEDJTR has shown evidence of the parasite in farmed oysters since 2011 (see Section 8.1.1). The objectives of this collaborative research project are to elucidate the species of Bonamia involved in Victoria and states, determine what potential stressors cause conversion from subclinical to clinical disease (with death of the oysters), and provide practical advice to farmers on how to avoid oyster losses, given that the parasite seems to endemically infect farmed oysters and there is no treatment.
Animal-Health-in-Victoria-2015.docx