ProfessorGustaaf Hallegraeff

Project Total: $30,000; A severe harmful algal bloom (HAB) involving Karenia spp. is currently affecting large areas of the South Australian coastline. The exact toxicological impacts remain poorly understood, as do the impact pathways. This project will provide a rapid on-the-ground investigation into the toxicology of the Karenia spp. bloom currently in SA waters, with an aim to understand the toxicological impacts of the Karenia species in the HAB. The project will use rapid ecotoxicological tests, in conjunction with qPCR analysis to characterise the composition of the bloom to a species level accurately. It will inform a mechanistic understanding of the Karenia spp. bloom impacts and allow an improved response to ongoing or future blooms. This proposal has been developed as an emerging priorities project in response to requests from relevant Commonwealth and State agencies. Funded by: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water - Grant; University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $0; Gustaaf Hallegraeff is a semi-retired emeritus at IMAS, still doing the odd small consultancy, working exclusively from home (using a home microscope). He is no longer receiving a salary, so there are no 55% consultancy indirect costs, but he has previously agreed with IMAS to donate 20% of consultancy fees and make a small 0.02% contribution to data management for ongoing projects. The income should be added to his student HDR account RT.103965 which he occasionally uses for books, page charges, office supplies and conference travel. This project relates to: routine analysis of dinoflagellate cysts in 10 Port of Burnie sediment cores. It meets HERDC research requirements as new phytoplankton results from little known barramundi ponds may lead to new aquaculture pond management strategies. Funded by: Marine Solutions Tasmania Pty Ltd ($2,500); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $20,000; Delivery of harmful algal bloom species identification workshop to Huon Aquaculture staff. Funded by: Huon Aquaculture; University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $70,000; This project seeks to compile a Tasmanian State of the Environment Report on Coasts & Marine habitats and associated key species groups. The report is compiled by independent experts, by combining information from extensive studies, and drawing on elicited experts views on the contemporary pressures on, and state of the Tasmanian coasts. The synthesis is presented under three broad headings: (a) threats and pressures, (b) coastal governance, and (c) a series of five case studies as exemplars of status and trends, to conform to national and other reports and syntheses, allowing for our work to be integrated in future efforts. Funded by: Tasmanian Planning Commission - Tender ($70,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $3,850; Routine analyses of dinoflagellates cysts and phytoplankton in 12 sediment cores and 2 phytoplankton tows from Cape Lambert , WA, as part of introduced pest monitoring, and a follow-up of identical analyses conducted by G.Hallegraeff in 2019. Funded by: Hydrobiology Western Australia ($3,850); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $2,000; Routine analyses of dinoflagellates and diatoms in 3 Dunalley and 5 Lake Roseberry sediment cores. Funded by: Marine Solutions Tasmania Pty Ltd ($2,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $22,700; The project will design and deliver a workshop, as well as information materials/guide on the identification of harmful algae and their management in aquaculture ponds for the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association. The project is funded 100% through the Barramundi IPA and led by Future Fisheries Veterinary Service Pty Ltd. IMAS will consult on the development of workshop materials, deliver workshop content and contribute to the development of information materials. Funded by: Future Fisheries Victoria Service Pty Ltd ($22,700); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $450,000; Current phytoplankton ecological theory is derived primarily from lab cultures, but in nature phytoplankton have unique microbiomes that support their growth and ongoing ocean primary production. This project aims to establish the structure and function of these natural microbiomes, and how they contribute to seafood poisoning caused by bacteria and algal biotoxins. Using advanced flow cytometry with single-cell microbial profiling, we will sample nano-scale plankton microbiomes and synthetic microbiome phylogenomics to the link between microbiomes and seafood poisoning outbreaks. The outcomes will underpin enhanced predictive modelling of seafood risk to ensure the safety and export security of Australia's $2 billion seafood industry. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Discovery Projects ($450,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $2,500; Dinoflagellate cyst sediment sample analyses (9 samples) from Shark Bay, according to standard CSIRO protocols Hewitt, C.L. and Martin, R B. 2001. Revised protocols for baseline port surveys for introduced marine species: survey design, sampling protocols and specimen handling. Centre for Research on Introduced Marine Species Technical Report No. 22. CSIRO Hobart,Tasmania. Funded by: BMT Global ($2,500); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $4,000; Use light microscopy to identify dinoflagellate cysts and diatoms from 20 samples taken in December 2019 from Cape Lambert, Western Australia. There are 18 samples from benthic sediment cores and 2 from plankton tows. The subcontractor is to report on the diversity and identity of dinoflagellates and diatoms identified . Funded by: Biofouling Solutions Pty Ltd ($4,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $5,000; Analysis of 21 sediment samples and 4 plankton tows, collected by the client from Weipa, for the presence of potentially harmful algal bloom species Funded by: Biofouling Solutions Pty Ltd ($5,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $6,000; Microscopic analyses for dinoflagellate cysts in size-fractionated/ density-gradient processed sediment samples collected by the client. Standard methods developed by Hallegraeff/Bolch for the CSIRO (CRIMP) protocol. 39 samples collected Feb 2017 Funded by: Niche Environment and Heritage Pty Ltd ($6,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $895,500; The $84 M lobster industry has been impacted by seasonal Tasmanian closures (up to 5+ months) due to PST contamination of hepatopancreas (HP) notably in the St Helens and Maria Island regions (up to 4 mg STX.diHCl/kg), and up to Flinders Island, with an estimated lost revenue cost of 780k. While only trace levels of PSTs have been detected to date in lobster tail meat, HP contamination poses significant trade barriers for key markets such as China and Hong Kong. While cooking of lobsters did not release biotoxins into the cooking water, HP is a sought after foodstuff (mainly used as a dipping sauce for tail meat) and consumed by 16% of fishers on the Tasmanian east coast and 22% on the west coast, but this has since decreased due to public health warnings. Limited evidence suggests that PST contamination of lobsters may also occasionally occur in South Australia and Victoria. The monitoring, management and mitigation approaches for biotoxin risks in crustaceans (as spelled out in the DPIPWE Rock Lobster Biotoxin Plan and Decision Protocol) remain poorly developed. The current approach uses bivalve PST monitoring as a trigger for lobster testing, with a very limited number (5) animals tested at a prohibitive cost of 5k, which if positive (>0.8 mg/kg STX eq) leads to lengthy closures of large fishing zones. The proposed work will refine monitoring tools to reduce the costs associated with PST biotoxin risk management of Southern Rock Lobster, including the application of cheaper and faster (and hence more frequent and more reliable) PST testing and also explore whether tests can be conducted in a non- destructive manner using haemolymph as a proxy. In addition, tank studies of PST in lobster and field studies on the variation in toxicity, and the validation of a rapid test kit will help to inform the effectiveness of the current geographical zones in the management plan. Potential impact of PST on lobster vigour will also be investigated using a combination of tank exposure and blood biomarker studies, the latter once calibrated also applied to Tasmanian field surveys. Funded by: Fisheries Research & Development Corporation - Grant-Annual Open Call Round ($895,500); University of Tasmania ($300,000).

Project Total: $127,197; Unprecedented toxic dinoflagellate blooms occurred off east coast Tasmania in 2012 and 2015/2016. These events led to a global shellfish product recall (AUD23M loss), lengthy (4 months) closures of mussel, oyster, scallop, and rock lobster fisheries, and 4 human hospitalisations (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning). While the causative Alexandrium dinoflagellate had been previously detected, genetic evidence suggests that blooms represent a cryptic genotype newly stimulated by climate-driven increased water column stratification. We seek to characterize blooms from with the long time (1000+ yr) ancient DNA sediment record using novel genetic methods. This work is part of a successful 450k ARC DP grant Funded by: CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation - Grant-Marine National Facility; University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $7,000; Input into planning of biotoxin projects in lobster and abalone, interpretation of results, and preparation of final report. Provision of expert advice around culturing of Alexandrium dinoflagellate strains. Services related to Project 2017-051: Seafood CRC: Extending biotoxin capability and research in Australia through development of an experimental biotoxin contamination facility to target industry relevant issues (SARDI and FRDC) Funded by: South Australian Research and Development Institute ($7,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $4,978; Funded by: Marine Solutions Tasmania Pty Ltd ($4,978); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $439,000; Long term data are sparse for Australian coastal and estuarine waters and seriously impede management of fisheries, tourism and urban development. Long term records are essential to understand dynamic plankton ecosystems with respect to disruptive algal and jellyfish blooms, impacts from introduced species and increased human utilisation of coastal resources. This project will apply major advances in ancient DNA technology to dated sediment depth cores to assemble comprehensive long term Australian plankton records spanning 50 to 1000 years. This will allow us to explore cyclical patterns, define range expansions and improve our understanding and management of how dynamic coastal ecosystems respond to multistressor anthropogenic change. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Discovery Projects ($439,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $2,307,226; The GHaNA project aims to explore and characterize a new marine bioresource for blue biotechnology applications in aquaculture, cosmetics and possibly food and health industry. The project will determine the biological and chemical diversity of Haslea diatoms and will develop mass-scale production processes, to achieve viable industrial production of biomass and associated high-value compounds, including terpenoids, marennine-like pigments, lipids and silica skeletons. The genus Haslea species type H. ostrearia, produces marennine, a water-soluble blue pigment used for greening oysters in Western France, which is also a bioactive molecule. Haslea diatoms have a high potential for use in (1) existing oyster farming, (2) the production of pigments and bioactive compounds with natural antibacterial properties, and (3) novel applications as an industrial colouring agent, while (4) their silica skeleton waste can be exploited as inorganic biocharges? in the formulation of new elastomeric materials. This will be achieved through fundamental and applied-oriented research to isolate fast-growing strains of Haslea, optimising their growth environment to increase marennine and other high-value compound productivity; to develop blue biotechnology specifically applied to benthic microalgae (biorefinery approach, processes); and to explore the potential for industrial exploitation of colouring and bioactive compounds through commercial activities of aquaculture, food, cosmetics and health. Funded by: European Commission - Grant - Research and Innovation Staff Exchange; Universite du Mans; University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $3,350; Microscopic analyses for dinoflagellate cysts in size-fractionated/ density-gradient processed sediment samples collected by the client. Standard methods developed by Hallegraeff/Bolch for the CSIRO (CRIMP) protocol. 17 sediment samples + 2 plankton samples from Karratha; + 4 sediment samples from Devonport Funded by: Aquenal Pty Ltd ($3,350); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $5,888; Microscopic analyses for dinoflagellate cysts in size-fractionated/density-gradient processed sediment samples collected by the client. Standard methods developed by Hallegraeff/Bolch for the CSIRO (CRIMP) protocol. 39 samples collected Feb 2017. Funded by: Niche Environment and Heritage Pty Ltd ($5,888); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $20,000; Investigation of the fish-killing potential of harmful algal species in collaboration with Korean researchers to foster international relations and formulate effective mitigation strategies to protect fin-fish aquaculture operations Funded by: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Grant-Australia-Korea Foundation ($20,000); University of Tasmania ($3,000).

Project Total: $52,000; SARDI and IMAS are collaborating to conduct a validation of the Neogen test kits for paralytic shellfish toxin detection in oysters and mussels. The validation will follow the AOAC Guidelines for Validation of Qualitative Binary Chemistry Methods version 12.3, 2013, and is a critical step for this test to gain legal status in Australia. This work constitutes a follow-up from FRDC project 2014/032 Improved understanding of Tasmanian harmful algal blooms and biotoxin events to support seafood risk management (CI Hallegraeff), and is funded by a Package Assisting Small Exporters (PASE) awarded to SARDI by the Export Division of Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. Funded by: Department of Agriculture and Water Resources - Grant-PASE; South Australian Research and Development Institute; University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $20,001; Provision for TASSAL fishfarmers of 3 microalgal training workshops, one each in Sept 2016, 2017 and 2018. Funded by: Tassal Ltd ($20,001); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $5,000; Funded by: Biofouling Solutions Pty Ltd ($5,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $4,500; Funded by: SMEC Australia Pty Ltd ($4,500); University of Tasmania.