About us
The Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Hub (ARC ITRH) for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture through Genetics is a consortium involving researchers and industry from James Cook University, University of Queensland, Australian Genome Research Facility, Mainstream Aquaculture, The Company One, and Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
The Research hub will work with pearl oysters, barramundi, seaweed, and grouper species with the aim to apply various genetic and technological approaches to boost the productivity of farming, improve breeding outcomes and lower risks associated with disease.
Our Strategic Plan 2022-2026
News and Events
R&D Pearl Harvest at Cygnet Bay: Advancing Aquaculture Research (14 October 2025)
Not just another pearl harvest!
A team led by Dr Dave Jones, with Master’s student Sharmaine Lee and PhD candidate Gopala Krishna Guddanti, is currently in the field at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, north-east of Broome, collaborating closely with farm staff to harvest the next crop of pearls from a remarkable R&D cohort of hatchery-produced and individually traced pearl oysters.
This cohort, more than five years in the making, represents one of the most comprehensive datasets of its kind. Each oyster is uniquely identified, allowing the researchers to directly link oyster growth and pearl-quality traits to the individual animals that produced them. The team’s fieldwork involves harvesting pearls, collecting shell-growth and genetic samples, reseeding oysters that have produced gem-quality pearls, and capturing detailed shell images for upcoming AI-driven computer-vision projects.
The resulting dataset will underpin research into breeding program design for both oyster growth and pearl-quality traits, helping to inform best-practice production management and advance sustainable tropical pearl aquaculture. High-resolution shell imagery, alongside genetic and phenotypic data, will also provide a foundation for new technologies in precision aquaculture.
This hands-on field campaign forms part of the ARC ITRH initiative to supercharge tropical aquaculture through genetic innovation. By integrating fieldwork, genetics, and digital tools, the project exemplifies how research partnerships between universities and industry can unlock new insights into one of northern Australia’s most iconic industries.
💡 An example of hands-on science and innovation coming together to illuminate the future of sustainable pearl farming.
2024 Annual Science and Industry Retreat
On the 2nd October, we hosted our 2024 science and industry retreat for the Australian Research Council Research Hub for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture through Genetic Solutions in Townsville.
The event provided valuable updates on the past year's groundbreaking research and training efforts aimed at transforming tropical aquaculture using advanced genetic technologies. A few key highlights include the innovation in our science program, the growth of our team to nearly 50 members, and the strong support from our industry partners,
With two more years ahead, we’re excited to continue integrating these advancements into industry practices. 🧬 🔬 🧪 🐟
AI to revolutionise barramundi farming
Wed, 12 2023, UQ QAAFI Media Release
Computer simulations are key to bringing aquaculture into line with genetic advances being made in land-based agriculture, according to a University of Queensland researcher.
PhD candidate Jessica Hintzsche from UQ’s Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) is using software to virtually model the genetic tools available to barramundi farming, in collaboration with the ARC Research Hub for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture at James Cook University and MainStream Aquaculture.
“We are creating the farm’s virtual twin – a 3D digital replica of the real thing to allow us to run simulations,” Ms Hintzsche said.
“The benefit of a digital twin is that we can test the impact of different genomic technologies such as parental selection and harvesting options before they are rolled out on the farm.
“It would allow producers to make decisions about how to take their business to the next level with healthy fish populations.”
ARC Research Hub supercharges the tropical aquaculture industry through genetics
Tue, 15 Nov 2022, ARC Media Release
The Australian Research Council (ARC) Chief Executive Officer, Ms Judi Zielke PSM, today welcomed the launch of the ARC Research Hub for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture through Genetic Solutions.
The Research Hub was officially launched at The Company One’s facility in Cairns today by Dr Robert Mun, ARC Executive Director for Engineering and Information Sciences.
Led by James Cook University, the Research Hub is driving genetic solutions for improving aquaculture industry breeding outcomes and lowering risks from disease. The research will involve work with five species (pearl oysters, barramundi, prawns, seaweed, and grouper) with the aim to boost productivity of farming, improve breeding outcomes and lower risks associated with disease with key industry partners. The projects will deliver outcomes that include selection of genetic lines for fast growth, product quality and pathogen tolerance, improve hatchery breeding processes, improve biosecurity and lower threat of disease.
James Cook University has officially launched its new research hub that will use advanced genetic techniques and artificial intelligence to boost northern Australia’s aquaculture industry.
Tue, 15 Nov 2022, JCU Media Release
The Director of the new Research Hub, Professor Dean Jerry, said $4.9 million of funding from the Australian Research Council through their Industrial Transformation Research Program has helped establish the ARC Research Hub for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture through Genetic Solutions.
“The hub will apply modern genetic, selective breeding and artificial intelligence approaches to dramatically improve the productivity of farming four important northern Australian aquaculture species, namely barramundi, pearl oyster, grouper and marine red-algae,” said Professor Jerry.
$5m grant to turbocharge aquaculture research in the north
Tue, 27 Jul 2021, JCU Media Release
The farming of fast-growing, highly efficient aquaculture species that are able to resist the impacts of costly diseases will soon become a reality, with James Cook University and partners awarded $4.9 million from the Australian Research Council through their Industrial Transformation Research Program.
The Director of the new Research Hub, Professor Dean Jerry, said the funding will establish the “ARC Research Hub for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture through Genetic Solutions”, which will be funded for 5 years and work to transform the productivity of aquaculture species farmed in the north.