INFORMATION ON THE PARTNER(S)
Full legal name:
The Norwegian College of Fishery Science,
Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics
UiT The Arctic University of Norway (UiT)
Legal form :
Higher education institution
City, Country:
Tromsø, Norway
Contact information:
E-mail: petter.holm@uit.no
Phone No: +47 776 46000
Brief description of the Partner(s):
UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a medium-sized research university and the northernmost university of the world. 15500 students and about 3800 staff (54% woman and 46% man) study and work at UiT at eight faculties. More than 20% of the academic staff and 10% of the students are from abroad. In 2021 UiT had operating income of 4 587 239 MNOK, government grants of 3648532 MNOK, funding from the Norwegian research council of 269 546 MNOK and labour costs of 2970617 MNOK. The Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS) is a part of the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics. NCFS is responsible for research and education of both the Norwegian and the international fishery and aquaculture industry. The study programs offered at the NCFS include bachelor’s and master’s studies in Fishery and Aquaculture Science, Biotechnology, Aqua medicine, and International Fisheries Management. Research at the NCFS focuses on marine resource management and marine biotechnology. This includes basic research and thematically directed research aimed at the industry, divided into 15 research groups. Research is conducted in close cooperation with the research environments of the faculty and the university, as well as other partners – both local, regional, national, and international.
Brief description of the Partner capacity for initiative implementation:
NCFS has around 100 employees, including researchers and technicians/administrative staff. The infrastructure at NCFS consists of 3 research vessels for field work, diving team and Takvantet field station for research on lake-dwelling fish stocks. In addition, UiT and Nofima are owners of the Tromsø Aquaculture Research Station where controlled experiments can be done on 81 different species. In total 350 tanks of different sizes are available and experiments that can be done include working with pathogens and parasites as well as GMO. A state-of-the-art recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) facility with 18 systems of different size will be opened in January 2023. Existing 9 RAS are the only infrastructure in Norway where pathogens can be tested in RAS. Personal from the Aquaculture and Environment research group will be central in this project. This group focuses on fish-environment interactions in relation to aquaculture. Research encompasses environmental requirements and aquaculture technologies, incorporating biotechnologies relating to stress and welfare, feed and nutrition, health, reproduction, and early life stages. Group members have research expertise in fish immunology, health, genetics, physiology, nutrition, and aquaculture technology including RAS. Research is done under controlled conditions and in the field in collaboration with partners from the fish farming industry.
RELEVANCE OF THE PARTNERSHIP
Partner’s involvement in initiative:
Research group Aquaculture and Environment at NCFS strives to understand how the biology of farmed fish is affected by biotic and abiotic factors, with the aim of defining rearing environments that will promote good fish performance and welfare and with-it sustainable growth of aquaculture industry. The group has well established network that includes national and international R&D partners and industry partners and has lead number of large projects relevant for this proposal. In 2021 twelve salmon farming companies financed a gift professoriate in RAS biology, a first of its kind in the World, at NCFS. The main aim of this professor is to increase the competence of salmon industry in the north of Norway in RAS by organising courses in lifelong learning and working with the industry to optimize production in RAS. Members of this group has participated and lead number of projects with focus in semi-closed containment systems (SCCS) and have ongoing projects on full automation in RAS. Aquaculture and Environment group has responsibility for number of courses at the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics including among others Aquaculture technology, Advances in aquaculture, fish welfare in aquaculture, fish nutrition, and life-long learning courses in RAS biology.
During this bilateral cooperation UiT and NCFS aim to provide broader context of international aquaculture to our students, beyond the Norwegian experience. Advances in IMTA and Croatian experiences are also relevant for our students. The new RAS facility will provide possibility to do research on IMTA on land that can be a part of student projects. Norwegian supplier industry will be introduced to new opportunities related to growing aquaculture industry in Croatia. The exchange of knowledge and ideas will be the basis for future collaborative projects aimed at sustainable growth or aquaculture in both countries.
In activity 1 UiT/NCFS’s relevant staff will participate at the initial workshop organized by Croatian colleagues to discuss status of aquaculture in both countries and current challenges for development of sustainable aquaculture. Time will be spent on planning further activities in the project and getting to know our partners.
In activity 2 UiT/NCFS will organize visit to Norway for our partners from Croatia. During this visit we plan to organize meeting with relevant Norwegian companies working with innovative solutions in aquaculture and with fish farming companies as well as governing bodies and NGOs. Visit to commercial sites will also be included.
In activity 3 UiT/NCFS will organize visit for students from UNIZD in Tromsø where they will learn about RAS and will visit research facilities at Tromsø Aquaculture Research Station where they will also get some practical training in operating RAS. Visit to commercial RAS facility will also be arranged.
Academic staff from UiT/NCFS will give lectures to UNIZD students on novel production systems, novel technological solution for monitoring of fish and fish welfare and the environment. In return, UNIZD academic staff will give lectures to BSc and MSc students at UiT related to IMTA and Croatian aquaculture in general as a part of existing courses.
In activity 4 UiT/NCFS will organize the final workshop of the project aiming to make concrete plans for future collaboration between two countries related to increased efficiency of production, better fish health and welfare, implementation of new, innovative, and smart technologies to production and further increase in existing and future blue sector competence. Group work will be done related to all topics and all suggestions will be presented in the end of the workshop.
All relevant groups of participants such as farming and supplier industry, national regulators, R&D companies, students will be present at the workshop.