School of Natural Sciences wins one of 10 funded projects set to boost innovation in sustainable aquaculture

Bangor University’s School of Environment & Natural Sciences has successfully won a portion of a £4.6 million fund to bring academia and industry together to tackle key challenges facing sustainable UK aquaculture.

The grant to Bangor University of (£720,000) from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is one of 10 projects funded across the UK. The award comes from the Sustainable Aquaculture Partnerships for Innovation fund, which addresses specific challenges facing British aquaculture, including disease prevention and animal welfare.

All funded projects include at least one partner from industry who will contribute at least 10% cash or in-kind to the full economic cost of the project.

Researchers at the School of Natural Sciences, along with commercial partners Mowi and Scottish Sea farms will explore how regulating exposure to light can help tackle some of the challenges posed by infectious diseases on salmon farms.

Previous research underpinning the project has shown that juvenile trout exposed to continuous light were less resistant to skin parasites.

Leading the research is Dr Amy Ellison, Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences, she explained,

Salmon farms routinely use artificial lighting to increase 'daylight' and by doing so, maximise growth rates. However, there is limited information on how this may impact fish immune systems and disease resistance. Our previous work suggests disrupting the body clocks of young fish can be detrimental to their health. With our industry partners and collaborators in Aberdeen and Aberystwyth universities, we are now going to investigate the impact of light conditions in early-life for salmon health and welfare throughout the production cycle. Our aim is to help optimise salmon rearing practices to increase resilience to disease challenges and improve welfare.

woman with dark wavy hair and glasses in circle with blue surround — Dr Amy Ellison

Advances in aquaculture technology

Dr Lee Beniston, Associate Director of Industry Partnerships and Collaborative R&D at BBSRC, said:

“Advances in aquaculture technology and innovative approaches have enormous potential to provide the UK, and the world, with a more sustainable, diverse, and healthy source of nutrition. This will support ambitions in areas such as food security through to the health of the nation.

We are pleased to be investing, alongside businesses, in these exciting research and innovation projects which will catalyse and drive innovation across the aquaculture industry.”

More information about the other funded projects is available on the BBSRC website here.