Aquatic Sciences
The Aquatic Science group within the Department of Applied Biosciences, Curtin University, has been conducting research and offering courses in Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources, Fisheries Management, and more recently, Coastal Zone Management, since 1990. Over the past two years the Department has constructed the $1.6 million Curtin Aquatic Research Laboratories (CARL), recognising a need conduct quality research and to produce high calibre graduates to be future managers of the State’s precious aquatic resources.
CARL brings aquaculture and ecology together under the aquatic resource banner, identifying the behaviour of aquatic species under aquaculture conditions as a key driver of production. The 80-tonne Observation Tank, the facility’s centre-piece, has been built with this premise in mind – it contains large viewing windows and underwater video cameras for students to observe first hand how fish behave under a range of environmentally-sensitive conditions.
Another key focus of CARL revolves around Dr Ravi Fotedar’s research into the culture of marine species in inland saline water, presenting some affected sectors within the agriculture industry with a diversification option. There are currently seven PhD students and five Masters students investigating this area, with the inland culture of marine prawns a prime focus.
A state-of-the-art facility, the Curtin Aquatic Research Laboratories has a remarkable water supply, which delivers three different water types to every research room within the facility: Ocean water; freshwater and inland saline water. Each water type has a 30-tonne supply tank which is pressurised before entering the facility.
Three separate forty-tonne recirculating aquaculture systems – one for each water type – use the latest in solids removal and biofiltration technology to allow researchers to culture a wide range of species, that presently include bream, silver perch, cobbler, kingfish, barramundi, lobster, and marron.
The group also focuses on multi-species systems - building on Dr Glen Whisson’s research into crayfish polyculture. This work has now broadened to include studies into a range of human impacts on native species both in the marine and freshwater environment. Presently Dr Whisson’s research team includes three PhDs and three students at Honours level.
Professor Bruce Phillips is an expert in rock lobster ecology, culture and management. Professor Phillips contributes significantly to the Aquatic Resources and Fisheries Management stream, where students in their final year are linked to a mentor within the WA Fisheries Department for guidance with projects, report writing and work experience.
Dr Elena Tsvetnenko specialises in the area of Seafood Technology and is also the Muresk Academic Co-ordinator. Dr Tsvetnenko delivers several units within the Aquaculture and Seafood Science program and has a developing research interest in sea urchin aquaculture.
The Curtin Aquatic Research Laboratories has been designed as a bio-secure facility, with a state-of-the-art security monitoring system, and design features including segregated ecotoxicology laboratories, quarantine rooms, a microbiology room, chemical store, and independent research spaces. This facility is multi-functional: it is both a training ground for early-career researchers and an undergraduate teaching laboratory for aquaculture, aquatic resource management, agribusiness, seafood science, and aquatic ecology students.
For further details on Aquatic Sciences please contact:
Dr. Glen Whisson
Tel: 08 9266 4504
Email: g.whisson@curtin.edu.au
