News Digest n.5 / 2024
New funding to tackle UK aquaculture issues
A £4.6 million fund is being launched to support 10 projects addressing UK aquaculture challenges, including disease prevention and animal welfare. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) investment will benefit researchers and industrial partners in sustainable aquaculture. The projects include a 24-month consortium addressing plankton health, regulating light exposure for salmon farming, and boosting red seaweed cultivation.
How to fingerprint a fish How to fingerprint a fish A EU-funded project has developed DNA fingerprinting techniques to help consumers identify and avoid mislabelling fish species. The project, funded by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research and the University of Patra, aims to combat fraud by distinguishing between different fish populations and species. The project received support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. 03/05/2024
Aquaculture: Commission shares recommendations and good practices
The European Commission has published two staff working documents to support EU Member States in facilitating sustainable aquaculture growth. The documents address obstacles such as complex regulatory frameworks and difficulty in accessing space and water. They aim to streamline the sector and consolidate good practices. The Commission plans to publish updates on these documents and provide training to aquaculture authorities.
EFCA launches the first Coast Guard Capacity Building and Training Exchange Programme
The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), and European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) have launched the first European Coast Guard Capacity Building and Training Exchange Programme. The initiative, funded by the European Commission, aims to develop an academy and training network, preparing staff for joint missions and operations.
Might a new aging tool help improve octopus fishery management?
Australian scientists have created the world's first practical guide to aging octopus, published in the Marine and Freshwater Research Journal. The tool uses growth rings on octopuses' beaks and stylets to validate age, potentially improving octopus fishery management. Understanding octopus age helps estimate growth and reproduction rates, ensuring sustainable fisheries and ensuring the survival and thrive of the species.
