PRR Project

Summary

Leveraging state-of-the-art facilities like CESAM´s ECOMARE (Laboratory for Innovation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Resources) and CITAQUA (Centre for Innovation and Technology in Aquaculture), equipped with RAS systems, and the dedicated research facilities of Riasearch, we propose the establishment of the CESAM-Riasearch Chair.This Chair aligns with CESAM´s Research Cluster 6 (Circular Economy, Resources and Energy Optimization) and Research Line 3 (Socio-Ecological Systems and Resources). RC6 promotes sustainable practices through circular bioeconomy principles, focusing on resource optimization, while RL3 aims for sustainable natural resource use, biodiversity conservation, and resilient socio-ecological systems through transdisciplinary research and community engagement.Riasearch further complements this infrastructure with its expertise in:In vivo nutrition and health trials on fish and shrimp: Conducting controlled experiments to assess dietary impacts on growth, health, and performance in RAS conditions.Methodological refinement and development of analytical tools: Optimizing existing techniques and creating new tools for precise assessment of nutritional status, gut health, and physiological functions.Assessment of nutritional impacts on digestive physiology and performance: Understanding how diet affects nutrient absorption, enzymatic activity, and overall fish/shrimp health and productivity.Three interconnected tasks will be tackled:Optimizing RAS Nutrition:Focus: Optimizing nutrition for larval/juvenile fish and shrimp in RAS, examining diet impacts on health through in vivo trials.Research areas: Nutritional pathologies, developing RAS-specific health strategies, identifying and mitigating antinutritional factors in common feed ingredients, exploring alternative feed ingredients for a circular bioeconomy.Riasearch contribution: Expertise in trial design, data analysis, development of novel analytical tools, partnering with feed producers to test alternatives.Sustainable Feed Strategies:Focus: Investigating and mitigating antinutritional factors in common feed ingredients and their effects on fish health/productivity, integrating sustainable alternatives.Research areas: Identifying and mitigating antinutritional factors, developing sustainable alternatives (e.g., insect-based feeds), improving analytical and diagnostic methods.Riasearch contribution: Expertise in nutritional value assessment, feed formulation, collaborating for knowledge sharing and capacity building.Enhancing Fish Welfare in RAS:Focus: Evaluating fish health and welfare using functional ingredients to improve wellbeing and mitigate stress.Research areas: Identifying effective ingredients, refining methodologies to assess intervention impacts, promoting responsible aquaculture practices.Riasearch contribution: Expertise in stress physiology, developing non-invasive welfare assessment methods, collaborating with industry partners for implementation.By establishing the CESAM-Riasearch Chair and leveraging combined expertise, we propose a comprehensive approach to enhance aquaculture sustainability, aligning with our mission and contributing to broader goals of sustainable resource management and responsible food production. Furthermore, our commitment to addressing critical sustainability challenges in RAS is well aligned with European Union´s Emphasis on Aquaculture Sustainability, keen on boosting the aquaculture sector through initiatives like the Blue Growth Agenda, and global organizations such as FAO, that recognizes the critical role of aquaculture in achieving global food security and nutrition goals. Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food-producing sectors and is set to play a key role in meeting the rising demand for fishery products. The FAO´s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture reports highlight the importance of sustainable aquaculture practices and resource management.Finally, the prospective researcher should possess:A PhD in Biology, Aquatic Biology, Animal Nutrition, Physiology, or a related field.Proven experience in aquatic animal nutrition and physiology research.Expertise in in vivo nutritional trials, enzyme assays, and histology.Familiarity with molecular techniques and in vitro and ex vivo assays.Strong communication and teamwork skills.