3. 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
4. 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
5. What’s next?
• PhD student looking at shell structural
properties
• Relate shell quality to survival
• Incorporate into breeding program
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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.
12. 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
13. 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???
14. 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
15. 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
16. 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
