Aquaculture Research
Aquaculture refers to all forms of culture of aquatic animals (including finfish, shrimp, mussels, etc) and plants such as seaweed in marine, brackish, or fresh waters. Aquaculture refers to net pens in Norwegian fjords holding thousands of Atlantic salmon but also to freshwater pond cultures in South-East Asia holding tilapia, or shrimp. At the same time, on-land recirculating aquaculture systems, or RAS, are massively transforming some of our current day aquaculture industry practices. While society drives us to think about more sustainable, circular approaches for the future. We try to contribute to relevant innovations by studying fish and shellfish nutrition and health in preferably, circular aquaculture systems, be it recirculating or ponds.
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dr. MCJ (Marc) Verdegem developed a ‘nutritious ponds’ concept based on stimulating microbial-mediated use of wastes, where fish can be harvested at high but sustainable rates without causing unacceptable environmental damage. This concept aligns very well with the interests of WorldFish, an international (CGIAR) research organization that harnesses fisheries and aquaculture to reduce hunger and poverty.
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ing. EH (Ep) Eding stood at the basis of the RAS technology that allows for intensive culturing of fish while minimizing the use of natural resources, such as water and energy. In combination with good hygiene, these systems are rapidly becoming a first choice for much of the aquaculture sector and are being implemented globally for many fish species.
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dr.ir. JW (Johan) Schrama studies diet composition, including protein and carbohydrate content, energy, but also physical properties of fish feed because all are crucial determinants of the fish’ metabolism. Fish and shellfish in aquaculture are heavily dependent on nutrition, while regulation of feed intake and waste production determine dissolved oxygen and thus critically influence growth performance and health.
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prof.dr.ir. GF (Geert) Wiegertjes studies physiological keys to fish health. Enhancers of immunity can be incorporated in fish feed to help battle the development of antimicrobial resistance. Shortly after exposure to such stimuli, innate immune responses can be primed, but innate immune cells may not return to basal levels, their physiology remaining enhanced through long-term reprogramming.
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