According to the information the funding is part of more than $2.2 million ($2,235,000) in NRM funding that is supporting effectively directed fisheries research. Department of Fisheries’ Senior Fish Pathologist Dr Brian Jones expressed that the biosecurity research project would enable the purchase of diagnostic tools, for quick identification of aquatic pest and disease incursions, the other would progress marine pest surveys in high-risk WA shipping ports.
Dr Jones also added that these diagnostic tools can improve the speed and number of biosecurity tests the researchers can do. Dr Jones told that the ability to identify pest and disease incursions will improve with the purchase of a Laser Micro-Dissection Microscope, to be located in the department’s Fish Health Unit in South Perth, which will allow quick identification of pathogens seen at the cellular level.
He explained that the purchase of PCR unit allows for large numbers of DNA samples to be identified in a matter of hours rather than days, resulting in time and labour saving that, in a disease incursion, can provide a significant advantage. Dr Jones said 18 ports around Australia had been identified as being responsible for more than 80% of the potential risk of introduced marine pests.
