SCAR Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (SCAR FISH)

Innovation in fisheries monitoring science
- Fisheries dependent data as a tool for real-time advice - December 2022

The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize research needs for the disease prevention in farmed fish. These needs reflect the opinion of stakeholders, including academics, fish health experts, aquaculture specialists and professionals working in the aquaculture industry but also relevant supporting sectors (Pharma, fish feeds etc.). The results of this study will support the development of the Strategic Research Agenda for disease management and prevention in aquaculture.

The main purpose of this document is to provide inspiration for input to Horizon Europe regarding the aquatic research and its relevance for developing the blue bioeconomy. The take-home message is, that not only the intervention area on ‘Seas and Oceans’ in the Cluster on ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural resources, Agriculture and Environment’, but all the intervention areas in this cluster, should include the aquatic dimension.
The hope is that the document can serve as a basis for discussing the scope of the intervention areas in each Member State. If several National Contact Points (NCPs) voice the importance of having aquatic related research integrated in all Intervention areas, such a clear message would have a higher chance of being heard in the Programme Committee.

The aim of this study was to investigate the main research gaps on fish welfare, and to contribute to reach consensus between the aquaculture industry and researchers in setting future research priorities. The results will support the SCAR and the Member States in the definition of their fish welfare research policies. In addition, this will help national research funders prioritising areas for investments and collaboration and will assist researchers and research managers in focussing their activities on this topic.