North Queensland prawn project uses pandemic tech to fight pathogens

A groundbreaking North Queensland prawn project will adapt technology used during the pandemic to detect COVID-19 in wastewater to help protect prawn farms from unwanted pathogens. Find out more.

Dr Kelly Condon, Senior Scientist at JCU’s AquaPATH lab. Main picture: Caitlan Charles

A groundbreaking North Queensland prawn project will adapt technology used during the pandemic to detect COVID-19 in wastewater to help protect prawn farms from unwanted pathogens.

This innovative method aims to reduce biosecurity costs and protect Australia’s $220 million prawn farm industry.

James Cook University (JCU) researchers will use environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling from prawn farm ponds to detect viruses causing growth deformities and mass mortality in tiger and banana prawns.

The two-year study, funded by Food Agility CRC, will be conducted at Australian Prawn Farms and Seafarms’ prawn ponds in North Queensland.

Dr Kelly Condon, Senior Scientist at JCU’s AquaPATH lab, explained that eDNA sampling is significantly cheaper and quicker than traditional tissue sampling.

“The alternative is catching prawns, taking tissue samples, preserving the tissues, and then disinfecting all of the equipment before moving to the next pond,” Dr Condon said.

“The tissue analysis only provides information after an infection occurs whereas eDNA allows detection of the pathogen in the environment.

“We saw great benefit using eDNA in sewerage treatment plants for the early detection of Covid and this is applying a similar approach to prawn farming.”

The eDNA method has the potential to save $484 per prawn pond in surveillance costs and provides a more comprehensive understanding of pond conditions to prevent disease outbreaks. A pilot study showed that using an incubating filter, which relies on water currents to bind viruses, is more efficient than traditional filtering methods.

If successful, this method could become a vital part of biosecurity in prawn farming, making it economically viable for farmers and helping scientists develop better farming practices to prevent disease.

Originally published as North Queensland prawn project uses pandemic tech to fight pathogens