Research Projects
Addressing key technical bottlenecks in the grouper supply chain in Vietnam (and Australia) through manufactured feed and hatchery developments that aim to improve SME sector profitability
Rachel Neil
24 Apr 2024 - 24 Oct 2027
This project aims to address bottlenecks in the aquaculture grouper supply chain in Vietnam and Australia by researching nutritional constraints, commercial feed adoption, and factors affecting the supply of high-quality eggs, larvae, and juveniles.
The Vietnamese grouper industry, which produces over 10,000 tonnes of grouper, is the most profitable sector of marine aquaculture in Vietnam. However, the use of 'trash fish' as feed can lead to pollution and suboptimal health outcomes.
The Australian grouper industry is limited by a lack of specific grouper feeds, but one company has recently used limited nutrient requirement data into a commercial feed. The Vietnam industry faces limitations in the availability of commercial-level volumes of high-quality fingerlings, as the 3 regionally located Research Institutes for Aquaculture (RIAs) provide limited fingerling supply services.
Understanding nutritional limitations at the hatchery and grow-out stages of grouper production is crucial for debottlenecking the sustainable expansion of grouper farming, facilitating profitability for Vietnamese smallholders and transitioning to small and medium enterprises.
The development of an appropriate formulated feed is also crucial for the growth of grouper farming. Disease is likely the largest threat to the growth of grouper farming, but the development and widespread implementation of formulated feed will reduce this risk and increase the potential for industry growth.
Circular economy and feed management approaches for inclusive and sustainable development of marine aquaculture in Vietnam
Rachel Neil
01 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2026
Marine fish farming in Vietnam traditionally relies on low-value wild-caught fish as feed; however, this feeding approach is inefficiently utilized. It also leads to environmental pollution, and faces significant challenges such as diminishing supply and the risk of disease transfer. In contrast, manufactured feed pellets offer a more efficient and less polluting alternative, although they necessitate a different feeding approach. Feed pellets present a versatile nutrient delivery method in fish farming that can be adapted to various ingredient inputs. By incorporating byproducts from aquaculture and other industries into fish feeds, a circular economy approach can be developed to recycle nutrients within the value chain. This approach transforms waste into valuable fish protein, generating smallholder profits instead of contributing to pollution.
The objective of this project is to reduce the environmental impact of marine fish farming in Vietnam by optimizing feeding protocols and training farmers to use feed more efficiently. Through capacity-building, knowledge transfer, and inclusive participation, this project will empower local coastal communities in the sustainable development of marine aquaculture. Additionally, the reduction in feed costs, the largest expense, will enhance the livelihoods of the family groups that constitute the majority in this sector. Collaboration with feed companies and farmers will be instrumental in fostering feed improvements for circular economy approaches and feed efficiency. Additionally, technological advancements will be employed to better manage fish feeding behaviour, thereby reducing waste and minimizing the cost of feed resources.
Sustaining Communities of Practice of Civil Society Organisations for Marine Resource Management in Indonesia
Amy Diedrich
17 Feb 2025 - 31 Dec 2026
This two-year project aims to support the operational and capacity needs of the Communities of Practice (CoPs) of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) initiated in Indonesia in Phase I of Maritime 2.0 with the goal of enabling the CoPs to achieve financial and organisational sustainability upon project completion. These activities will consolidate the aim of Phase I Maritime 2.0 which was to foster improved collaboration between CSOs and government to strengthen marine resource management and maritime policies and local level implementation.
Melioidosis on the move: Informing the public health response.
Catherine Rush
01 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2029
Melioidosis is an often fatal infectious disease acquired from the environment and cases are rising in Australia. It mostly affects people living in regional locations who suffer from conditions like diabetes. Without the correct treatment, people die so awareness that this disease exists in communities is important for successful outcomes. This study will use innovative microbiology, genome and public health tools to detect and predict current and future melioidosis risk across the country
Blended Learning and Innovation Grant
Joanna Barlas
01 Jul 2017 - 30 Jun 2018
JCU Learning & Teaching Innovation Grant
Joanna Barlas
01 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025
Development of an Online Tour planner with AI Chat for the Indigenous Tourism Industry in Sarawak
Kim Lim Tan
03 Feb 2025 - 31 Jan 2026
The project team is seeking funding to facilitate the commercialization and translation of the research into a practical tool, aiming to create an impact on industry practitioners. Specifically, the team aims to develop a prototype of an online tour planner powered by AI Chat based on the research findings.
The online tour planner is designed to support and promote the Indigenous tourism industry in Sarawak through enabling potential tourists to personalize their travel itineraries based on their preferences, interests, and available time. By tailoring experiences to individual needs, the platform aims to enhance accessibility to Sarawak’s rich Indigenous culture, traditions, and destinations, fostering meaningful connections between travelers and the region’s unique heritage. This initiative will contribute to the growth of the local tourism industry while celebrating and preserving Sarawak’s Indigenous culture.
The prototype will be co-developed by JCU team and Krux Asia (AI developer), and tested by Scubaquest (a travel agency). The prototype could be further commercialized and replicated to other industries in Sarawak or other tourism destinations.
Nesting climate refugia for southwest Pacific loggerhead turtles
Emily Webster
28 Feb 2025 - 30 Jun 2026
To develop a scalable spatial analysis to identify climate refugia for nesting loggerhead turtles.
Refugia is defined as areas of current suitable nesting habitat whose exposure to threatening climactic variables is predicted to remain stable over time. the project will consider predicted sea level rise, erosion and temperature change at current and future scenarios. By comparing current and future levels of exposure to these climatic variables, maps that identify areas of imminent loss (exposure to climatic threats predicted to increase), novelty (exposure decreases) and refugia (exposure remains stable) can be developed. the project will also examine geomorphology of the coastline to map the current suitable nesting habitat and quantifying the vulnerability of that habitat to specific climatic and anthropogenic threats.
Explore the level of mental health wellbeing and substance use among under graduate nursing students in Australia
The purpose of this study is to explore the level of mental health well-being and substance use in undergraduate nursing students at three universities in Australia (RMIT, ECU and JCU). It is also to identify the current support services available, and any psychological and service facilitators and barriers students experience whilst studying at these three universities.
Enhancing students’ digital capabilities to improve preparedness for clinical practice
The increased use of technology across healthcare systems accentuates the need for nurses and midwives to be confident and competent users of technology, therefore the need for an academic
health record is now an essential part of nursing and midwifery education. Consequently, the aim of this research is to:
Evaluate the preparedness of first year nursing and midwifery students who have used the AEHR
in classroom-based simulation activities, pre, during and post WIL clinical placement.