Marine

Marine Scotland Science supports sustainable aquaculture projects

June 18, 2015 by Marine Scotland Communications No Comments | Category Collaborations, Marine Directorate general, Marine Directorate Science

More than twenty new research projects have been awarded funding to address key challenges to the aquaculture sector. The proposals, supported by co-funders including Marine Scotland, Centre for the Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas) and the Scottish Government,  will focus on farming or cultivation in finfish, molluscs and crustaceans. The programme primarily aims to build capacity across the aquaculture research sector, with multidisciplinary projects spanning bioscience and environmental science. The funded projects will also seek to expand the uptake of new tools and technologies in priority areas.

The aquaculture sector provides a vital role in feeding a growing population, set to reach 9BN by 2020. In the UK, the value of aquaculture in producing finfish such as salmon and sea trout is worth around £580M per year and rising. Challenges to the industry such as disease and parasite infections affecting farmed stock have a devastating impact.

Professor Melanie Welham, BBSRC’s Science Director said: “To help ensure sustainable aquaculture stocks for society and the economy, a broad research base is needed to understand the biology and health of farmed species. Research focusing on the interactions between industry and the ecosystem is crucial to ensure sustainable production of this healthy and nutritious food source.”

More information

• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC): http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/opportunities/2014/joint-nerc-fish-health-disease.aspx

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