Mr Jayden Zieth1
1Biosecurity Queensland, DAF, Cairns, Australia
Biography:
Jayden completed his Bachelor of Marine Science at James Cook University before joining the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries as a fisheries technician in early 2019. He was later tasked with coordinating the coral trout and redthroat emperor biological monitoring programs, contributing to the development of Fisheries stock assessments and ecological risk assessments. Jayden is now a marine scientist for Biosecurity Queensland, where his main role is coordinating the collaborative Queensland Seaports eDNA Surveillance (Q-SEAS) program for the early detection of invasive marine species.
Abstract:
With speed and adaptability on its side, eDNA has proven to be a valuable tool for monitoring biodiversity at large spatial scales. This makes it particularly appealing for the early detection of marine pests as these programs are usually run by state or national organisations covering extensive coastlines.
While eDNA capabilities in the laboratory are continually improving, resource allocation for operational activities, such as sample collection and handling, soon become a limiting factor for the large-scale implementation of these programs. One approach to combat these limitations is through the adoption of a collaborative program. The Queensland Seaports eDNA Surveillance (Q-SEAS) program is an example of a successful partnership approach to marine biosecurity surveillance.
With an extensive coastline and a marine World Heritage site, Queensland has embraced molecular diagnostics as a tool for early detection of marine pests. Biosecurity Queensland in collaboration with the State’s five major port authorities, developed the Q-SEAS program, navigating the unique challenges that each location faces including remoteness and the complexity of the port environments. When working with collaborators to secure funding or in-kind support, it is not only important to ensure program feasibility within budget, but value for money must also be demonstrated and continually improved.
This presentation will outline some of the modern methods that we are exploring to optimise the Q-SEAS program, enhancing efficiency and demonstrating value for money to increase marine pest detection capability within a collaborative eDNA surveillance framework.