Erin Bubner

Postgraduate Student - Master of Science

Contact Details

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor of  Aquaculture – University of Tasmania
• Honours Degree of Bachelor of Technology (Aquaculture) – Flinders University

Research

Captive breeding of southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)

In aquaculture the availability of viable gametes (eggs and sperm) is critical to successful propagation of fish. There are several requirements to achieve this, depending on the species being cultured. Clean Seas Tuna Ltd is currently developing a system to achieve this, as a world first, with Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT), Thunnus maccoyii. Within the facilities located at Arno Bay in South Australia, SBT broodstock management is being carried out and attempts at spawning are currently in progress.

As a part of my research I will be involved in this development, working on various techniques and procedures to advance the propagation effort. This will include: the use of anaesthetics to aid handling practices; investigation of ultrasound techniques for monitoring gonad development; development of cryo-preservation techniques for gametes; examination of gonadal development using histology and analysis of reproductive steroids and vitellogenin; hormone manipulation of maturation and spawning.

This research will be part of a Seafood CRC project and involve Flinders University, University of the Sunshine Coast and Cleans Seas Tuna Ltd.

Working out on a southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) harvest on a lease offshore Pt Lincoln

Publication

Bubner, E. and Harris, J. (2005) Investigation in the live transportation of Australian abalone. In: Proceedings of the 12th Annual Abalone Aquaculture Workshop, 1st – 3rd August 2005, McLaren Vale, Australia. Fleming, A.E. (Editor). Abalone Aquaculture Subprogram, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra, Australia.

Supervisors

Dr Philip Thomas - University of New England

Prof Abigail Elizur - University of the Sunshine Coast