Aquaculture faces new challenges of competitiveness, profitability and sustainability. Our priority is to generate outstanding science and innovation that promotes the European Blue Bioeconomy.
Research will focus on optimising sustainable practices in aquaculture through the use of smart and precision farming techniques. This includes incorporating novel nutrient sources and valorising industrial by-products in aquafeeds, and also improving the quality, safety and welfare of aquatic animals under a market-oriented approach.
Problem-driven research is emphasized, combining scientific excellence with knowledge transfer to end-users and the industry.
1) Sustainable Practices for Aquaculture
- Design and test (in vitro and in vivo) responsible nutritional formulations using novel ingredients and circular economy principles.
- Promote nutrient utilisation and fish growth under a changing climate scenario.
- Conduct feed and food authenticity evaluation.
- Explore epigenetic programming and implement smart and precision farming techniques.
2) Functional Nutrition and Animal Welfare
- Screen functional ingredients to promote the welfare and robustness of farmed species.
- Enhance fish oxidative and immunological status to prevent and mitigate stress.
- Improve gut health and identify welfare biomarkers.
3) Quality and Safety of Seafood Products
- Enhance productivity and aquaculture insight through better biosafety and security of farmed species and providing consumers with healthy and safe seafood products.
- Tailor flesh quality and nutritional value of farmed species
- Create innovative and value-added seafood products.
- Identify biomarkers for assessing flesh quality and safety.
Feed and Seafood Quality Co-PI: Rodrigo Ozório
