E-MISA December 2011
A word from our Chair……
As the end of another year approaches it is a good time to reflect on the achievements of 2011.
The opening of the South Australian Aquatic Biosecurity Centre (SAABC) fulfils MISA’s infrastructure initiatives, which also included the expansion to the Lincoln Marine Science Centre and the pool farm at West Beach.
Complementing this, the appointment of the University of Adelaide/SARDI Aquatic Animal Health Research position this year has significantly strengthened marine research capability in South Australia and completes the establishment of new capability across the areas of Aquaculture, Ecosystem Services, Product Quality and Safety and Biosecurity. These initiatives have resulted in projects worth more than $40 million. This meets the 3:1 ratio of leveraged to contributed funds targeted by MISA at its establishment.
MISA is now building on its foundations to broaden its marine sciences scope, strengthen its partnerships, engage with marine scientists and identify new strategic opportunities. A new focus will include two ecosystem programs, the Gulfs (Spencer and St Vincent) and the Great Australian Bight and Bonney Coast. This will enhance MISA's competitiveness within the national landscape, enabling it to better respond to such drivers as the Primary Industries Standing Committee national strategies and the development of closer affiliations with of a number of Marine R&D Institute’s with interest in southern temperate Australia. It is pleasing to advise that all of MISA’s key partners are supportive of this new direction.
On behalf of the MISA community I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your contributions this year and look forward to your continued support in 2012.
I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Professor Rob Lewis, Chair MISA Steering Committee
Our Research
'Virtual larvae' point prawn fishers in the right direction
Scientists from the South Australian Research and Development Institute are using computer models to develop harvest strategies to optimise both the catch and recruitment of prawns for future fishing. Media release and article in the Advertiser.
Genetically barcoding Australia's seaweeds
A recent DNA Barcoding Conference held in Adelaide has revealed the benefits of developing a genetic identity tool for all plants and animals. Dr Fred Gurgel, University of Adelaide, along with the State Herbarium of South Australia and the South Australia Research and Development Institute are focusing on genetically identifying seaweeds, leading to the discovery of many new species and providing tools for conclusive identification of pest species such as Caulerpa. Find out more about the DNA Barcoding Conference (external website).
Farmed seaweed features on Escape with ET
Dr Jason Tanner, South Australian Research and Development Institute, talked to Escape with ET presenter, Andrew Ettingshausen, in a recent ET episode about the importance of farmed seaweed and their potential role in assisting the Australian aquaculture industry. View Escape with ET episode on the MISA website.
Shark research
COSMOS - the science of everything, profiles Charlie Huveneers research as a Shark Ecologist with Flinders University and the South Australian Research and Development Institute. View the full article in the December 2011 edition of Cosmos Online (external website).
News from South Australian Integrated Marine Observing System (SAIMOS)
The December edition of Marine Matters (IMOS newsletter) provides updates on developments in the South Australian node of IMOS (SAIMOS), including workshops, current data available and information on the use of southern seals as ocean samplers (Pgs. 8 - 11). View the December edition of Marine Matters (external website).
Upcoming Events
Journey to the Abyss
Explore the depths of the ocean at the South Australia Museum's Journey to the Abyss. Featuring more than 90 deep-sea specimens the exhibition invites visitors to take an adventure into the unknown. MISA scientist, John Middelton will be presenting in conjunction with the exhibition on 'the oceanography of the southern shelves,' February 2012 (details to follow). The exhibition runs 17 December 2011 to 12 March 2012 (closed Christmas Day) and is open daily between 10am to 5pm. Entry fees apply. Further information on Journey to the Abyss is available on the South Australian Museum website (external website).
Reframing the Agenda - Food Security to 2050
A national forum on food security is being held at the National Wine Centre, Adelaide on 13 February 2012. The forum brings together international experts and decision makers working with food systems to discuss 'reframing the food agenda'. Topics covered will include food production, consumption, storage and trade as well as environmental, health and nutrition issues. More information and registration details are available on the Adelaide University website (external website).
National Seafood Industry Leadership Program
Nominations are being sought for the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program (NSILP). Delivered through funding from FRDC the NSILP program is the only national industry specific leadership program for the Australian seafood industry and was designed for the seafood industry with their specific needs in mind. Applications close 1 February 2012. Further information and application forms are available on the NSILP website.
AMSA - NZMSS 2012 Joint Conference
Proposals are being sought for the upcoming joint Australian Marine Sciences Association and New Zealand Marine Sciences Society member organisations conference, relevant to the theme Marine Extremes - and Everything In Between, 1-5 July 2012. Full details of the AMSA-NZMSS conference are available on their website (external website).
Algae for the Future Conference - Call for abstracts
Abstracts are being sought for this upcoming conference, 9-12 July 2012, co-organised by MISA participants: Flinders University, SARDI and the University of Adelaide, who along with PIRSA Fisheries & Aquaculture are also sponsors. Further information on the algal biotechnology conference (external website).
Adelaide hosts the Australian Society for Fish Biology and Oceania Chondrichthyan Society Conference
The upcoming joint conference will be held at the Sebel Playford Hotel, 15-18 July 2012. The theme for the symposium component of the meeting is 'Addressing the challenges of understanding the movement patterns of aquatic animals and their significance'. General information, including a list of key note speakers is available on the conference website (external website).
Support for students to attend Australasian Aquaculture Conference
The Seafood CRC are offering 10 x $500 bursaries for ten Seafood CRC students to attend the Australasian Aquaculture Conference in Melbourne in 2012. Further information is available on the MISA website.
Important dates
Journey to the Abyss exhibition at the South Australian Museum. Open daily from 10am to 5pm, 17 December 2011 to 12 March 2012 (closed Christmas Day). Entry fees apply.
Aquaculture America 2012 - "Bringing all players to the table", The Paris, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 28 February - 3 March 2012 (external website).
International Abalone Symposium: 8th IAS 2012, Hobart, Tasmania, 6-11 May 2012 (external website).