Building bridges for novel collaborations in aquaculture research

The Aquaculture Researchers' Meeting 2024 brought together experts from various fields to share their latest findings and explore new avenues for research collaboration. The programme included insightful presentations on novel feeds, gut physiology, and innovative aquaculture techniques, interspersed with lively discussions, poster presentations and networking opportunities. Participants had the chance to draw inspiration from each other's work and establish connections that could lead to future research partnerships.

During the day, eleven lectures were held, covering topics such as new feed solutions, fish gut physiology, physiological side effects of vaccination in fish, aquaponics, and innovative aquaculture techniques. Four researchers presented their latest results through poster exhibitions, giving participants the opportunity to delve into specific subjects such as algal toxins in mussel farming, sex determination using ultrasound analyses, and mackerel in tomato sauce as a new feed ingredient. This interactive format created a dynamic environment for feedback and idea exchange. Additionally, there were lively discussions about current challenges and opportunities within aquaculture, such as climate impacts on species like salmonids, bottle necks in low trophic aquaculture, such as permits and legislation, and the importance of increased demand for food products. Feed research emphasized novel ingredients and understanding both consumer and farmer attitudes, while the fish welfare group explored ethical practices, industry collaboration, and AI-driven solutions to improve care.

Anna Norman Haldén, SLU Aquaculture, emphasised the importance of such gatherings:

"Bringing together researchers from different disciplines allows us to exchange ideas and experiences."

Kristina Sundell, Swemarc, GU, added:

"There was plenty of time for networking, which gave researchers the opportunity to discuss their own projects and make new connections. We see a great need for more interdisciplinary collaborations to solve the complex problems facing the aquaculture industry, said Kristina Snuttan Sundell from SWEMARC at the University of Gothenburg, who co-organised the research meeting."

To capture participants’ experiences of the meeting, a survey was conducted. Overall, the survey responses underscored the meeting’s role in fostering collaboration and innovation where participants valued both the scientific and social dimensions of the event. One respondent noted; “I met a few people working on the same thing, which could be collaborated on in the future”. Another highlighted the excitement of meeting new PhD students and established researchers from the other university. While many attendees were satisfied with the event's structure and content, some offered valuable suggestions for enhancing future meetings, such as the value of pre-event introductions of each researcher and their research area. When asked how often these meetings should be held many agreed that an annual schedule would be ideal.

The research meeting was held in the newly built Natrium at Campus Medicinareberget in Gothenburg, organised by the National Competence Centre for Aquaculture (NKfV) in collaboration with Swemarc and SLU Aquaculture. The program also included a guided tour of the building, where participants had the opportunity to see advanced aquarium systems and innovative solutions to improve both efficiency and sustainability.

Image description: Here are some of the PhD students who participated in the research meeting. Above from the left: Bella Safitri, Nhat Ton Nguyen and Manuela Seehauser, all three from SLU. The picture below from left: Pontus Gunnarsson from SLU, together Tulio Yoshinaga from Umeå University.

Image description: Four researchers presented their latest results through poster exhibitions, allowing participants to delve into specific topics such as algal toxins in mussel farms, sex determination using ultrasound analysis, and mackerel in tomato sauce as a new feed ingredient. Here, you can see Ali Reza Khansari from Swemarc, at the University of Gothenburg, present his poster.