Course content

An increasing food production in a global context takes place in aquaculture. Fish farming has developed into one of Norway's most important export industries, and it is a political priority that production should increase in the future. A prerequisite for an increase is that production is sustainable in terms on effects on the water environment..

Farming must also be sustainable in terms of fish welfare, fish health which affects mortality/waste in the farmed fish. Specific, infectious diseases are of particular importance in large, dense populations. It is necessary to know the reservoir of infection, the mechanisms for disease outbreaks and principles for the spread of infection in order to prioritize methods for disease control and biosecurity in fish farming.

Fish welfare is important in the farming industry for production results, reputation and sustainability. In addition to documentation of good health/absence of disease, there are various methods and measurement parameters for measuring or evaluating fish welfare. In a farming situation, fish populations are exposed to many stresses that trigger stress; increased fish density, changed water quality, feeding situation/nutrient uptake, as well as various forms of handling and treatment. Welfare can be measured both via operative and laboratory-based welfare indicators.

It will be taught how surveillance of farmed fish in Norway is conducted.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The student must have an overview of the cause of diseases in farmed fish related to pathogens, malnutrition and an unfavorable environment. Furthermore, an understanding of how infectious diseases develop in populations and spread in the environment must be developed, as well as understanding general principles and measures to prevent the introduction and further spread of infectious agents. Furthermore, the student must have knowledge of the importance of good fish welfare, and methods for measuring/documenting fish welfare.

Skills: The student must be able to describe general principles for the spread of infection and infection control for diseases in farmed fish, as well as the importance of important infectious diseases with an emphasis on conditions of importance for preventing the introduction of infection. Furthermore, the candidate must describe other diseases that are not linked to viruses, bacteria and parasites and the causes of these, as well as explain various methods for documenting fish welfare.

General knowledge:

• Have knowledge of fish health and fish welfare for sustainable fish farming

• Know the meaning of various diseases, monitoring and disease control

• Understand different principles and methods for monitoring fish welfare

• Understand the interaction between stress, good health and welfare in farmed fish.

Learning methods and activities

• Compulsory seminars
• Compulsory assignment with presentation.
• Summerize scientific literature
• Design and present scientific poster and presentation

Compulsory assignments

• Up to four compulsory assignments
• Compulsory presentation

Recommended previous knowledge

The course requires good knowledge in general biology or physiology. The minimum level of knowledge is completed courses in marine biology and marine ecology.

Required previous knowledge

Completed Bachelor's degree.

Course materials

Is presented when the course starts.

Credit reductions