Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EATFISH (European Aquaculture Training for improving Seafood Husbandry)
Reporting period: 2021-01-01 to 2022-12-31
The objective of EATFish is a sustainable and profitable European aquaculture sector to secure healthy seafood for our growing society.
Through this overarching approach we aim to:
1. Optimise resource economy in European aquaculture, such that it contributes to a circular bioeconomy
2. Ensure animal health and welfare
3. Develop novel aquaculture products targeted to specific market segments
4. Refine aquaculture governance to facilitate sustainable development of the sector
5. Enhance the skills and competences of future aquaculture professionals
As such, we intend to aid European aquaculture to address challenges related to competition in the market place, sustainability, disease in aquaculture systems and governance.
Through this overarching approach we aim to:
1. Optimise resource economy in European aquaculture, such that it contributes to a circular bioeconomy
2. Ensure animal health and welfare
3. Develop novel aquaculture products targeted to specific market segments
4. Refine aquaculture governance to facilitate sustainable development of the sector
5. Enhance the skills and competences of future aquaculture professionals
As such, we intend to aid European aquaculture to address challenges related to competition in the market place, sustainability, disease in aquaculture systems and governance.
The core of EATFISH, Aquaculture Operations, is directed to advancing our knowledge on the biology of aquaculture species and microorganisms present in aquaculture systems and on innovation of the technology to make aquaculture systems more sustainable and competitive. This is done through innovative strategies, such as a paradigm shift to “feed the system” rather than “feed the fish” (ESR1) where she currently explores the impact of novel feed ingredients on aquaculture system functioning and seabass growth. This is complemented by work of ESR6 who tests the impact of novel feed ingredients on fish health and discovered that diets containing micro- or macroalgae can potentially mitigate the effects of saponin-derived inflammations. ESR4 investigates the impact of hypoxia and the presence of parasites on gilthead seabream health and welfare with a particular focus on the role of fish-associated microbiota that can be used as indicator species for stresses. The results show that skin microbiota is highly influenced by stocking density and oxygen concentration. ESR2 aims to develop next generation probiotics for aquaculture instead of betting on antibiotics. Samples of live oysters, oyster water and algae cultivation reactors were taken and used as inoculum to isolate potential probiotic strains. This has led to the isolation of three potential probiotic strains. ESR8 studies animal welfare in multi-trophic aquaculture. Multitrophic-aquaculture is a type of aquaculture in which in addition to the high-value target species also other “helper species” are grown to improve resource efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint. Health implications of biofluorescence/reflectance in in lumpfish, the European black sea cucumber and the green sea urchin are measured. This has led to the first records of biofluorescence that can now be used as a potential welfare indicator in a commercially farmed cleaner fish and sea cucumbers.
Perhaps the most traditional way to improve resistance of animals is by selective breeding strategies, a strategy used in EATFISH to reduce susceptibility of fish (ESR5) and shellfish (ESR3) species to disease. ESR5 focusses on the genetic analysis of resistance disease to amoebic gill disease in Atlantic salmon. The genetic parameters of AGD resistance for different year-classes of Atlantic Salmon were estimated, which is important for the prediction of genetic gain. ESR3 followed a similar approach to suppress abnormal mussel mortality. Resistance to the disease could be improved in M. edulis, and low cytogenetic quality in M. edulis could increase the susceptibility to abnormal mussel mortality. Low to moderate heritability was shown and the low positive genetic correlation for resistance to the disease between sites suggested different causes of mortality. Concerns regarding reducing the environmental impacts of salmon culture has risen with the expanding of salmon aquaculture. For instance, the escaped fish from open cages during growth negatively affect wild populations by interbreeding. ESR7 has been investigating its potential for creating sterile salmon.
One of the EATFISH objectives is to analyse the development of new aquaculture products targeted to specific markets. This is done by considering both the innovation processes in the aquaculture sector and consumer perceptions.
ESR10 focussed on innovations in the aquaculture sector including the production system and aquaculture produce. She studied why and how past innovations in genetics were developed, what was the innovation timeline and how widespread innovations were implemented. Although innovations in breeding to make animals more resistant to disease are a clear example of sector-driven innovation, most innovations are driven by consumer perception, or by “perception of consumer perception” by entrepreneurs. ESRs 9, 10 and 13 studied the perceptions towards aquaculture in the media in nine countries in Europe and beyond to identify global commonalities and differences that are of relevance to market development. ESR11 focusses on value capture in the aquaculture sector and has zoomed in and studied a specific case in France to understand the economic model of a start-up involved in the aquaculture sector with a focus on good branding.
The purpose behind aquaculture governance is based on the premise that the biggest hurdle in starting new aquaculture operations and extending existing ones in Europe is related to governance. ESR15 has begun research into the marine spatial planning and its role in aquaculture development across Europe. ESR14 is researching into decision support tools for improved governance of sustainable aquaculture, and in particular on polyculture systems. It was found that the regulation within these systems were inconsistent and complex, and there would be significant benefit from streamlining and use of a common approach. ESR12 is investigating the wider ecosystem services provided by aquaculture. These are exemplified by extensive fish pond systems in eastern European countries, such as Poland and Hungary, and these culture methods as being used within a case study approach to assessment of such services.
Perhaps the most traditional way to improve resistance of animals is by selective breeding strategies, a strategy used in EATFISH to reduce susceptibility of fish (ESR5) and shellfish (ESR3) species to disease. ESR5 focusses on the genetic analysis of resistance disease to amoebic gill disease in Atlantic salmon. The genetic parameters of AGD resistance for different year-classes of Atlantic Salmon were estimated, which is important for the prediction of genetic gain. ESR3 followed a similar approach to suppress abnormal mussel mortality. Resistance to the disease could be improved in M. edulis, and low cytogenetic quality in M. edulis could increase the susceptibility to abnormal mussel mortality. Low to moderate heritability was shown and the low positive genetic correlation for resistance to the disease between sites suggested different causes of mortality. Concerns regarding reducing the environmental impacts of salmon culture has risen with the expanding of salmon aquaculture. For instance, the escaped fish from open cages during growth negatively affect wild populations by interbreeding. ESR7 has been investigating its potential for creating sterile salmon.
One of the EATFISH objectives is to analyse the development of new aquaculture products targeted to specific markets. This is done by considering both the innovation processes in the aquaculture sector and consumer perceptions.
ESR10 focussed on innovations in the aquaculture sector including the production system and aquaculture produce. She studied why and how past innovations in genetics were developed, what was the innovation timeline and how widespread innovations were implemented. Although innovations in breeding to make animals more resistant to disease are a clear example of sector-driven innovation, most innovations are driven by consumer perception, or by “perception of consumer perception” by entrepreneurs. ESRs 9, 10 and 13 studied the perceptions towards aquaculture in the media in nine countries in Europe and beyond to identify global commonalities and differences that are of relevance to market development. ESR11 focusses on value capture in the aquaculture sector and has zoomed in and studied a specific case in France to understand the economic model of a start-up involved in the aquaculture sector with a focus on good branding.
The purpose behind aquaculture governance is based on the premise that the biggest hurdle in starting new aquaculture operations and extending existing ones in Europe is related to governance. ESR15 has begun research into the marine spatial planning and its role in aquaculture development across Europe. ESR14 is researching into decision support tools for improved governance of sustainable aquaculture, and in particular on polyculture systems. It was found that the regulation within these systems were inconsistent and complex, and there would be significant benefit from streamlining and use of a common approach. ESR12 is investigating the wider ecosystem services provided by aquaculture. These are exemplified by extensive fish pond systems in eastern European countries, such as Poland and Hungary, and these culture methods as being used within a case study approach to assessment of such services.
We need to realise that the aquaculture sector should not be looked at as a “stand-alone” activity, but rather as one of the private sectors that has to contribute to a circular bioeconomy by producing protein for human consumption. Only through such an interdisciplinary and joint action, we can support development of a profitable and socially acceptable aquaculture industry with a small enough environmental footprint while reducing Europe’s dependency on seafood imports.
The main innovative aspect of EATFISH is the versatility of scientific disciplines that are intimately connected in the research programme. For example, the broad selection of proactive measures to make the fish more disease-resistant through system management, feed development and breeding represents a holistic solution to disease challenges, which, if successful could help address some of the regulatory challenges considered in WP4 (Governance). EATFISH goes beyond integration of technical disciplines by connecting biological and technological advances to investigation of market opportunities and governance and offers a stage for the whole sector from fish to fork and further. To be able to provide a solid basis for individual disciplines, the consortium harbours the strongest European partners in these disciplines that can embed the research and training of EATFISH into a wider European framework of EU projects that beneficiaries coordinated.
The main innovative aspect of EATFISH is the versatility of scientific disciplines that are intimately connected in the research programme. For example, the broad selection of proactive measures to make the fish more disease-resistant through system management, feed development and breeding represents a holistic solution to disease challenges, which, if successful could help address some of the regulatory challenges considered in WP4 (Governance). EATFISH goes beyond integration of technical disciplines by connecting biological and technological advances to investigation of market opportunities and governance and offers a stage for the whole sector from fish to fork and further. To be able to provide a solid basis for individual disciplines, the consortium harbours the strongest European partners in these disciplines that can embed the research and training of EATFISH into a wider European framework of EU projects that beneficiaries coordinated.