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Chief Scientists' Update Number 26, December and January 2002/2003

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Chief Scientists' Update Number 26, December and January 2002/2003 Chief Scientists' Update Number 26, December and January 2002/2003 In this Issue: Visits to MAFRI Regional Visits Enhancing Science Network The Chief Scientists welcome all readers to this edition of Update that records some of the exciting science from Victorian State Government Research Institutes involved in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and environmental research. Please feel free to provide any comments and feedback to us via this email address: [email protected]. Visit to Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute (MAFRI) Some interesting projects in fisheries research highlighted the work being undertaken at MAFRI. Population studies based on four different techniques, morphometrics, genetics, otolith morphology and otolith microchemistry have been used to track Warhou species and provides supporting data for establishing quotas for different populations. Victorian scientists at MAFRI participated in a major nationwide recreational fishery survey, which provided some interesting figures on the number of recreational fishers, the spending patterns of these fishers and details of catches and locations. The information will be released in the final report later in the year and will form the basis for better understanding the needs of the fishing community and the economic significance of recreational fishing as well as improving the understanding of fish population and dynamics. Habitat suitability modelling is proving to be a useful tool for identifying the suitability of different areas for different fish species. This work has the potential to allow better identification of habitat specific to fish populations, which may be endangered or in need of protection. The Government has recently declared Marine Protected Areas and MAFRI has been contracted to collect preliminary data for baseline monitoring. Meanwhile integrated performance measures are being developed to establish a valid measure of the efficacy of these areas in protecting and enhancing marine biodiversity and protecting key representative ecosystems. Fisheries resource managers have developed innovative ways to engage the major stakeholders in policy decisions underpinned by well communicated science. One method is using Fisheries Assessment Groups (FAGS) which involves engaging stakeholders in the assessment process, although the scientist do the technical work underpinning the assessment. The stakeholders have a real input to the implications of the assessment, the process used in the assessment and the management outcomes from the assessment. This demonstrates the importance of good communication in developing policy combined with good science underpinning management decisions. Discussions around ecosystem research focused on the intellectual input which provides the innovative aspect of the work. In order to attract funding for this work the Chief Scientists suggested that it is important for it to be clearly differentiated from routine monitoring and core business. The research focus is on understanding sustainable systems and how to manage effective multiple uses which will provide an integrated approach to developing productive capacity,. REGIONAL VISITS The bushfires that have been ravaging much of Victoria in the past few months have impacted on the Chief Scientists’ program to visit Regional Offices and provide input at a local level. As the fires abate and staff return to normal duties the Chief Scientists will be more directly involved with the regions and will followup on the involvement suggested at the Regional Managers Executive meeting late last year. ENHANCING SCIENCE NETWORKS – AN UPDATE There is widespread consensus that partnerships and collaborations between industries, government and research sectors are critical to stimulate innovation and translate research outcomes into economic growth. Furthermore, it is realised that having well developed global networks is important for the future of Victoria. Staff have openly recognised the Enhancing Science Networks Project and in particular, the Visiting Fellows program as a key step to developing these linkages and to gaining access to overseas information and networks. The last round of nominations for the Enhancing Science Networks have been accepted with 12 entries for the Visiting Fellows Program and 17 for the Scientific Exchange program. While there is currently no further funding for the program there are still scientists visiting across the State and being visited including: VISITING FELLOWS PROGRAM Professor Peter Gregory from the Department of Soil Science, University of Reading, UK, is visiting the Institute of Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture at Tatura. Professor Gregory works in plant physiology and has developed non-destructive measurement techniques for examining the water and nutrient uptake by plant root systems. His work also involves developing models to different uptake processes. Professor Mark Whalon from the Centre for Integrated Plant Systems, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA has been hosted by David Williams, Institute of Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture, Tatura. Professor Whalon is an internationally recognized expert in Integrated Pest Management, resistance management and pesticide alternatives in fruit and vegetable production. He is a highly respected contributor to policy in areas related to his scientific expertise. Mr James Orson, Director of Morley Research Centre, Wymondham, UK has recently been hosted by Marg Evans of DPI Bendigo. The Morley Research Centre is a leading farmer-owned research organisation in eastern England, dedicated to improving arable crop efficiency and profitability, as well as caring for the environment. Mr Orson’s unique background allowed him to provide innovative ideas for working in partnership with local communities to develop and deliver research and extension services. If anyone is interested in attending any of the presentations or being involved in discussions with these Visiting Fellows they should contact Ben Farrall in the Science Quality Unit on 9637 8511. SCIENTIFIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM Dr Michael Emmerling of the Plant Biotechnology Centre (PBC) recently visited the Large Scale Biology Corporation (LSBC) in California. Dr Emmerling undertook training in a technique to determine the functions of identified genes. As a large number of DNA sequences of grasses and cereals become available in the near future and the function of a large proportion of the genes discovered remains unknown, it is important that an efficient tool for determining the function of identified genes is available. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is one such tool but until recently no such system existed for monocotyledon plants. Dr Steve Holzberg of LSBC has established a unique system for VIGS in cereals based on Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus (BSMV) and agreed to provide PBC access to the technology and the BSMV vectors and protocols. This should significantly improve methods of functional analysis of important pasture plants and ultimately improve the actual pasture plants themselves. Chief Scientists' Update Number 27, February and March 2003 In this Issue: Visits: Keith Turnbull Research Institute (KTRI) Plant Biotechnology Centre (PBC) Barmah State Forest Meetings: Minister Bob Cameron AV Management Team Synchrotron Science Awards Enhancing Science Network The Chief Scientists welcome all readers to this edition of Update that records some of the exciting science from Victorian State Government Research Institutes involved in agriculture, fisheries and environmental research. Please feel free to provide any comments and feedback to us via this email address: [email protected]. Visit to Keith Turnbull Research Institute (KTRI) On a recent visit to KTRI, the Chief Scientists discussed a number of issues with staff. During discussions on biosecurity and invasive species management they noted their support for the development of a Task Force to oversee the legislative review recommended following the Biosecurity Symposium last year. Other issues discussed included the paucity of research on aquatic weeds, changes to quarantine requirements and the implications for KTRI, the Centre for Applied Entomological Research (CAER), the CRC for Weeds and the implications of the listing of Mornington Peninsula as a World Heritage Biosphere. L to R The Chief Scientists and KTRI staff. Kylie McGregor, Graham Mitchell, Greg LeFoe Brooke Manley, El Bruzzes ,Kelly Snell, John St ocker, David McLaren The Chief Scientists sought some clarification of existing and future platform technologies and skills that would be needed to support these in KTRI. It was noted that KTRI could provide an invasive and biosecurity platform for the future with core skills to include entomology, botany, agronomy and access to genetics, and population modelling. Collaboration with Institute of Horticultural Development (IHD) was identified as important in supporting this platform. Visit to Plant Biotechnology Centre (PBC) The focus of a visit to the Plant Biotechnology Centre was the capability of the students, highlighted by training in microarrays, functional genomics, bioprospecting and molecular marker assisted plant breeding. Developing this skill base will enhance and maintain the capability in plant genomics which has been identified as an area of high capacity and capability in the Department. There was also a discussion on commercial opportunities that have developed from work at PBC including the use of Federal funds (namely
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