Coast to Coral: Seaweed Solutions: Using seaweed to combat disease in fish and shellfish aquaculture systems

Join Reef Check Australia and friends on the second Tuesday night of each month in your lounge room/office/comfy chair, for an evening of discovery, inspiration and appreciation of our local marine, coastal and catchment environments.

THE SPEAKER:
This month we will hear from Maddison Brown, a recent graduate from the University of California Berkeley where she completed a Bachelor of Science specialising in Marine and Freshwater Ecology. She is now conducting an Honours Research project on Sustainable Aquaculture at the University of Sunshine Coast. She has branched from Marine science to Aquaculture because the industry has direct consequences for human and environmental health, whilst being a multibillion-dollar industry which makes the industry economically important. 
ABOUT THE TALK:
Maddison’s research is adding to the growing literature surrounding the various applications of a commercially viable red seaweed called Asparagopsis taxiformis which has been found to induce a boost in immune system when fed to farmed fish. This seaweed initially became of particular interest after research which found that it can dramatically reduce the methane production of ruminant livestock when supplemented into their feed, which has further prompted research into other applications of the seaweed. This red seaweed has been found to induce immune-boosting benefits to fish but has not been tested on invertebrates. This is extremely promising considering the industry aims to find innovative ways to future proof their farms from diseases that pose a huge threat to their farms, are a danger to human health, and pose concerning problems around animal ethics. This study is testing whether Asparagopsis could be applied to a huge industry in Australia, oysters. The Sydney Rock oyster is the primary organism of the study which are farmed locally at Moreton Bay Island.  

Virtual doors (zoom) opens at 6.25pm for a 6:30 pm start.

Stay after the event for networking and nibbles (BYO obviously!) - get your burning questions answered and continue your thoughts, ideas and sea-minded discussions with your local community, all from the comfort of your couch!

Bring a mate and share in the discovery!

At Reef Check Australia we’re all about inspiring our mates and we love to read your thoughts! So, share your favourite parts about the night and tag us! Reef Check Australia #coasttocoral

This initiative is hosted by Reef Check Australia, and proudly supported by oh so many groups including the City of Gold Coast, Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd, Sunshine Coast Council's Environment Levy partnerships grant, and Townsville City Council.

Future talks take place on the second Tuesday night of each month, with a new, interesting and engaging speaker.

For more information contact seqsurveys@reefcheckaustralia.org

WHEN
October 12, 2021 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Will you come?