Redclaw Selective Breeding Program

Summary

The project is an initiative of the NQCFA. The aim of the project is to develop a program that can be used indefinitely to combat inbreeding depression while selecting for faster growth and to produce pathogen free stock.This will avoid the disasterous consequences of inbreeding, at least double the production of redclaw farms and enhance survival and growth as a result of the animals being disease free. It should be stressed that these key objectives are all achievable through one simple and relatively low cost project, wheras with other major aquaculture species, addressing these issues requires complex and expensive approaches. The use of an incubator to produce disease free stock, while commonplace in Europe, is an innovative move, being the first time in Australia that an incubator will be used to produce crayfish in commercial quantities. The project is seen to be a step towards facilitating future industry development in that it will streamline industry practices and lead to a commercial hatchery sector. Traditionally, unlike all other aquaculture sectors, all redclaw farms breed their own juvuniles. The main reasons for this are that redclaw are willing breeders and that it requires no specialised processes or infrastructure. It can however, be shown that it is not a financially viable thing to do and leads to inbreeding depression. Given the availability of superior stock from a hatchery, farmers would move away from this cottage industry style practice. Production levels will rise due to faster growing animals and the reduction of mortality due to disease, resulting in prosperity for existing farmers and encourageing more farmers to join the industry. We feel that our industry should be applauded for taking the initiative and being the driving force behind this project. We are a small emerging industry trying to help ourselves.

Program

New and Emerging Animal Industries

Research Organisation

North Queensland Crayfish Farmers Association Inc

Objective Summary

To develop a program that can be used indefinitely to combat inbreeding depression while selecting for faster growth and to produce pathogen free stock.This will avoid the disasterous consequences of inbreeding, at least double the production of redclaw farms and enhance survival and growth as a result of the animals being disease free.