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MARINFORSK-Marine ressurser og miljø

Support for scientific conference: Sustaining iconic diadromous fishes: the potential and pitfalls of cultivation (IMPRESS)

Alternative title: Bevaring av diadrome fisker: muligheter og fallgruver av kultivering (IMPRESS)

Awarded: NOK 99,999

Diadromous fishes, defined as species that migrate between salt and fresh waters, are sentinel species of the wellbeing of both the freshwater and marine ecosystems. Diadromous fishes native to Europe include the Atlantic salmon, European eel and the sturgeons. Historically, these iconic species have been of major cultural and economic importance to Europe and beyond. Unfortunately, due to a variety of anthropogenic factors such as loss of habitat, pollution, damming of rivers and especially overfishing, wild populations of these fishes have declined dramatically in recent years. In particular, the sturgeons which for generations have been fished for their roe (caviar) are now considered the most threatened of all vertebrate groups with 20 of the 26 species listed as being critically endangered. The major objective of the IMPRESS project is to improve our knowledge on the production cycle of these species leading to more efficient hatchery production of juveniles for releasing back into the wild (restocking). A further objective of IMPRESS is to educate the public on the importance of diadromous fishes, and the societal benefits of healthy diverse freshwater habitats. The major findings of the IMPRESS project will be presented at this conference, which will be open to a broad audience, both researchers and other interested stakeholders. In particular, the conference represents a forum for the 15 IMPRESS PhD students to present their major results.

The Atlantic salmon, European eel and the sturgeons are catadromous fishes, and all have major historical, cultural and economic value. However, due to a variety of anthropogenic and environmental factors, affecting both the freshwater and marine environments, wild populations of these iconic species are increasingly threatened. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species over 85% of sturgeon species are classified as at risk of extinction, making them the most critically endangered vertebrate group, while the European eel has been listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ since 2008. Researchers at NMBU are co-ordinating a European Training Network (H2020-MSCA-ITN) entitled IMPRESS (Improved production strategies for endangered freshwater species) aimed at developing new production strategies, critically important for the future conservation and management of these iconic species. The IMPRESS ITN (2015-2018) involves collaboration between 14 consortium members from seven European countries, and is responsible for training 15 PhD students. The research training in IMPRESS has focused on both developing new production strategies to improve post-release survival, as well as solving current bottlenecks in the production cycle of the eel and sturgeon. These objects have been met by adopting a adopting a multidisciplinary approach, from new in vitro and –omics technologies to reproductive physiology and hatchery design. Further, through dissemination and public engagement, IMPRESS has attempted to increase public awareness to the socio-economic importance of these key species. The Arendal Conference represents an ideal forum for the IMPRESS consortium to disseminate its major results and recommendations to a wide audience, both researchers and major stakeholders from both industry and government institutes. The publication of the conference proceedings and the production of a video will aid dissemination to both the research community and the general public alike.

Funding scheme:

MARINFORSK-Marine ressurser og miljø