Abstract

The main objective of the SSP priority is to provide a scientific basis for the development of modern, sustainable and competitive aquaculture sector in Europe. A pre-requisite to achieve this objective is to design aquaculture systems as an integrated part of a healthy ecosystem. A major step in this direction is to develop operational protocols that secure acceptable standards of animal welfare.

The main goal of the FASTFISH project is to develop the first database and expert system for farm welfare and stress level assessment in farmed fish at all ontogenetic stages. A central part in this assessment will be validated behavioural stress level indicators. The main focus areas for the search for potential indicators will be feeding motivation and behavioural control mechanisms. Feeding motivation depends on the metabolic state of the fish and is well known to be sensitive to stress, and can be assessed by e.g. quantifying anticipatory behaviour before feeding and feed intake. Secondly, swimming behaviour is an indicator of behaviour control level, and should be sensitive to stress level and physiological state. The identified indicators will be cross-validated as proxy measures for stress using immunological and physiological methods.

To interpret these indicators correctly and identify the stressors, essential information on present and previous rearing conditions must be available. This will be achieved by the database and expert system, which also will give early warning when rearing conditions or stress level indicators approach harmful conditions. The expert systems will also include forecasts based on artificial neural networks.

FASTFISH will use European sea bass and Atlantic salmon as model species and tailor the FAST-TOOL to commercial production by testing on selected hatcheries and farms in periods with potentially high and low stress levels. Finally, FASTFISH will evaluate what market-factors and governance mechanisms that will enhance the implementation of FAST-TOOL in the industry, and estimate costs and benefits of implementing FAST-TOOL in the industry.

EU-Framework 6 Scientific Support
to Policies

Project title:
On farm assessment of stress level in farmed fish

Project acronym:
FASTFISH

Proposal contract:
No. 022720

Start date of contract:
1. January 2006

Coordinator:
Tore S Kristiansen,
Institute of Marine Research, Norway