What are the project components to be developed?
The lab-based component of the program will begin with the application of emerging, state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques to develop cDNA libraries and a corresponding EST database of lobster tissue expression. This will be used to generate molecular markers of the lobster during the intermoult, pre-moult, intramoult, and post-moult recovery stages. This information, in combination with other testing modalities (microarrays and proteomics) will be used to identify markers that highly correlate with ‘recovery’.
Collection of hemolymph (blood) samples will be a major component of the field sampling program (described below) and laboratory-based studies. These samples will be used to assess nutritional status, potential handling trauma, reproductive status (females), stress levels, and recovery status, using a combination of established, and to be developed, diagnostic tests. The overall objective will be to identify a hemolymph parameter (s) (e.g., enzyme activity, protein, electrolyte and/or hormone levels) that is predictive of recovery from the moult. The probability of success for developing a new diagnostic test for reproductive status is high as similar assays have been developed in other crustacean species. The success of a hemolymph-based test for recovery will be determined, in part, by the results of the molecular biology work.
The field sampling component of the ALMQ Program will be an expansion of an ongoing Moult & Quality monitoring program which was established in SW NS in the summer of 2004 to investigate the soft shell/low meat yield problem reported by the industry. This program represents a successful collaboration among the FSRS, AVCLSC, DFO, NS Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Clearwater Fine Foods Inc., fishermen, and processors. This program currently collects data on shell hardness, hemolymph protein levels, shell disease, moult stage (by collection and examination of pleopods or ‘tail swimmerets’) and environmental conditions. The program will be expanded by including other LFAs and increasing the number and type of tests performed on the hemolymph samples collected. This will increase our understanding of the scope and severity of this problem.
Health management is a general concept geared toward ‘productivity improvement’. Health management programs are well established in other livestock industries, with proven social and economic benefits to producers. For this reason, a Field Unit will be part of the ALMQ Program. This Unit will provide rapid response to emerging lobster health problems while also offering a veterinary-based, scientific approach to lobster health management. The Field Unit will investigate causes of decreased productivity e.g., infectious and non-infectious diseases; impacts of environmental or physiological stressors such as the moult cycle; and, detrimental handling practices. It will also assist the lab-based component of the ALMQ Program by providing a means to evaluate techniques and tests developed in the laboratory under field conditions. Data collected by the Field Unit will be used to conduct risk factors analyses to attempt to identify causes of decreased productivity. Some reluctance on the part of the pound operators of this new approach to live-holding management is anticipated. For this reason, this service will initially (i.e., years 1 - 3 of AIF4) be fully subsidised. Once the benefits of regular health assessment and monitoring become apparent, participants will be supportive of a partially subsidised health program similar to those for livestock producers.
An on-line database will be an integral component of the ALMQ Program - linking laboratory and field-based research. It will be developed from and modelled on the LobsterNET database, currently used in the Moult and Quality monitoring program. This database will facilitate computer-based research by scientists and the lobster industry leading to optimisation of processing, production and marketing decisions.
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