Expertise

The Aquaculture Unit is supporting aquaculture and fisheries experiments and research by large network of aquaculture stations, fish stocks and cultivation experience. Continuous development of production methods and oprating approaches is a crucial part of fish farming. The scale of projects ranges from devising solutions to single practical problems to broad international projects serving the development of the whole industry.

Promoting the aquaculture sector

Male brook trout.

Developing methods for farming of new fish species, and crayfish and selctive breeding programs are carried out in close connection with institute's Socioeconomic Research Unit. Aquaculture stations are also involved in the promotion of more sustainable aquaculture, environmentally friendly fish feed and optimization of fish nutrition and are encouraging production models for fish farming.

Developing the management of fisheries

Fish eggs being collected on the single family basis for incubation.

Aquaculture is also a tool in protecting the biological diversity of fish stocks and promoting fishing opportunities. These goals require vast expertise and diverse know-how about the area. In co-operation with research, aquaculture unit develops methods and operational models for exploiting fish stocks in a sustainable way and without endangering biodiversity.

Selective fish breeding and development of aquaculture technology

Ultrasonic examination of rain- bow trout.

The production traits of food fish species have been greatly improved through national selective breeding programs. The breeding program for rainbow trout is one of the largest breeding programs in the world whereas the selective breeding program for whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) is globally the first of its kind. For example, the growth and feed efficiency have been greatly improved by these programs. Also late maturation JALO -line has been developed. The Aquaculture Unit is also involved in the development of technology, e.g. data acquisition, automated feeding and fish-handling techniques. Operational and production quality control are areas of expertise where the Unit has been a pioneer, implementing several development projects supporting the whole aquaculture industry.

Text version