AQ3003 - Aquaculture: Propagation

Credit points:	03
Year:	2009
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

This subject discusses husbandry of aquaculture broodstock and larval and juvenile culture techniques of finfish, molluscs, crustaceans and sea cucumbers. Topics include: managed reproduction of broodstock animals using nutritional, environmental, hormonal and chemical manipulation; broodstock nutrition; production of triploids and all-female stocks; factors affecting egg and larval quality; current approaches to larval and juvenile rearing.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of the practical aspects of broodstock management, spawning induction and larval rearing of culture organisms and the current body of science knowledge that underpins these practices;
• Understanding of current challenges experienced by the industry in relation to broodstock management and hatchery production, and current research approaches directed at sustainable commercial aquaculture propagation;
• Development of effective written and oral communication skills that conform with current scientific conventions for reporting, disseminating and evaluating information;
• Development of practical aquaculture skills including: production of slow release pellet implants for delivery of reproductive hormones to finfish broodstock; spawning induction of bivalves; biopsy and histological assessment of spawning condition of finfish broodstock; assessment of larval developmental stage and growth, reproductive status of crustaceans.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to use a variety of media and methods to retrieve, analyse, evaluate, organise and present information;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner.

Assumed Knowledge:	Students enrolling in this subject should have a good understanding of basic biology and aquaculture principles, and should have completed BS2001 AND AQ2001 or equivalent.
Prerequisites:	AQ2001 AND BS2001 - ALLOW CONCURRENT FOR BS2001
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	AQ5003

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 27-Mar-2009
Coordinator:	Dr Guy Carton
Lecturers:	Dr Chaoshu Zeng, Dr Guy Carton, Professor Paul Southgate.
Contact hours:	25 hours lectures 26 hours practicals 7 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); assignments (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.