Dr Philip Thomas

Current Research Opportunities (Honours / PhD)

The South Australian blue crab fishery operates in Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent. The fishery is managed using a quota system and an allocated a portion of the TACC. In addition to the commercial catches, an estimated 40% of the total catch is taken by recreational fishers and this is managed through a daily bag and boat limit and a minimum size limit. Previous research indicates that blue crab activity level (measured by metabolic end products) may vary unpredictably at capture.

Blue crab (Portunus pelagicus) responses to capture and handling stress 

The physiological condition of the crab at capture may have considerable influence on the post release survival of bycatch crabs and the meat quality of retained animals.  This project will examine blue crab responses to capture and handling stress, following different pre harvest conditions, on the physiological response and survival of bycatch and meat quality of retained blue crabs.  This research will be carried out utilising the facilities at the Lincoln Marine Science Centre and will require field and tank based feeding experiments under the Co-supervision of Dr Ib Svane (SARDI).

Blue crab (Portunus pelagicus) feeding behaviour responses to trawl by-catch discards

Although blue crabs are a part of the bycatch from prawn trawling in South Australia they are also scavengers of discard species within the bycatch that do not survive. In order to ascertain the interaction between prawn trawl activities and blue crab behaviour it is necessary to determine if they are attracted to the prawn trawl discard species. This research will be carried out utilising the facilities at the Lincoln Marine Science Centre and will require field and tank based feeding experiments under the co-supervision of Dr Ib Svane (SARDI).

The effect of induced exercise on the stress response and growth of juvenile mulloway

There is evidence that exercising fish can lead to increased growth and lower stress in some fish species.  However the approach taken to induce an exercise response without causing a stress response and possible subsequent low growth are almost certainly species specific.  This project will investigate methods to induce increased swimming in juvenile mulloway (Argyrosomus hololepidotus) and the effects of that exercise on stress and growth.  This research will be carried out utilising the facilities at the Lincoln Marine Science Centre and will require field and tank based feeding experiments.

The effect of holding tank structure on the feeding response and growth of mulloway

Stocking density, tank design and configuration can have a profound effect on stress and growth in salmonids.  It is reasonable to expect that these aspects of fish husbandry will also be important in other species. Mulloway (Argyrosomus hololepidotus) is a new aquaculture species with considerable potential, however juvenile mulloway have been noted as “slow growing” and it has been observed that their subdued feeding behaviour in tanks and sea cages may be contributing to this slow growth rate.  This research project will investigate feeding behaviour in juvenile mulloway and look ways to improve the feeding response and growth of this species.  This research will be carried out utilising the facilities at the Lincoln Marine Science Centre and will require field and tank based feeding experiments. 

Uptake of selenium in the carcass of aquaculture yellowtail kingfish fed diets fortified with organic or inorganic selenium

Uptake of selenium in the muscle of farmed abalone fed diets fortified with organic or inorganic selenium

The inclusion of selenium in the diet of cultured terrestrial animals has received a great deal of interest because it has been found to have benefits for production, reproduction and product quality.  In addition there is also considerable interest the flow on effects selenium enriched food for improved human health.  Little is known about the selenium requirements of marine aquaculture species.  These projects will investigate the tissue selenium level of wild and farmed species that are fed pelleted feeds with added organic and inorganic selenium.  This research will be carried out utilising the facilities at the Lincoln Marine Science Centre and will require field and tank based feeding experiments.

Please feel free to discuss any project ideas that you may have with me!

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