Investigating the effects of myxozoan parasites on post-harvest quality of Yellowtail Kingfish Seriola lalandi

Abstract

Unicapsula seriolae is a common myxozoan parasite affecting flesh quality in yellowtail kingfish (YTK), Seriola lalandi, in temperate waters of Australia. This parasite has been identified as a major threat to the development of a viable commercial YTK industry in Western Australia, due to flesh myoliquefaction upon cooking. This project quantifies the prevalence and severity of U. seriolae and develops strategies to mitigate the effects of infection on flesh quality of YTK.