Risk from Diarrhetic Shellfish Toxins and Dinophysis to the Australian Shellfish Industry

Diarrhetic Shellfish Toxins (DSTs) are a significant, yet largely unquantified issue for Australian shellfish. In response to significant shellfish contamination events with Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PSTs) aquaculture industries are adopting efficient, fast and cost-effective management tools for PSTs and the phytoplankton producing them. This project will build on that successful work by: - generating knowledge about commercially available DST test kits and rapid molecular techniques for toxin and species detection; - conducting an initial assessment of DST profiles present in Australian shellfish and assess laboratory capabilities to detect these toxins; - comparing the efficacy of DST toxin detecting kits across oysters, mussels and pipis; - developing a DST qPCR assay for species detection for onsite farm use; and - providing cost versus benefit analysis of improved testing of DSTs in Tasmanian shellfish.