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BIOTEK2021-Bioteknologi for verdiskaping

ERA-NET: BlueBio - Advancing European bivalve production systems

Alternative title: BlueBio- Forbedring av Europeisk muslingproduksjon (bivalvi)

Awarded: NOK 5.1 mill.

Bivalves provide consumers with high value essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and iodine. The production of bivalves has low environmental footprint. However, the technological development of the European bivalve production sectors lies far behind other aquaculture sectors. BIVALVI aims to improve bivalve production in Europe in a sustainable way by combining genetics and reproductive technologies with the objective to improved health- and production traits and production management. BIVALVI focuses on blue mussel, Manilla clams and Pacific oysters, the bivalve species with the highest production in Europe. BIVALVI combines technology and social sciences to enhance the knowledge and the economic importance of bivalve production, aligning it with the six fundamental principles of RRI. The four work-packages will characterize the health and reproduction status and immune functions of diploid and triploid bivalve stocks (WP1); survey and optimize farming management systems (WP2); advance breeding programmes and map disease resistance genes (WP3); evaluate social and ecosystem effects of production of bivalves through stakeholder and ecosystems services studies and test the organoleptic properties of triploids (WP4). An important added value of BIVALVI is the close co-operation between R&D and the bivalve industries in Ireland, Italy and Norway. Naturedulis s.r.l. and Norgesskjell AS are partners and other industries are represented through their associations. The multidisciplinary qualifications of the R&D partners NOFIMA, UCC and UNIBO are complementary, showing the importance of European cooperation for the developments in BIVALVI. An advisory board with representatives from industry, state agencies, branding and policy makers will provide guidance, strategic oversight and ensures practicality of developments. Moreover, the technology transfer between species and countries and the extensive dissemination program will ensure the impact of BIVALVI. Main activity in the first project period has been to reproduce blue mussels. At Nofima’s Research station for sustainable aquaculture, we have installed infrastructure for this work. The mussels come from Norgesskjell. The reproduction of diploid mussels went as planned, but just before transfer to sea they died. A second experiment is planned for spring 2024, when the mussels start to mature naturally in sea. Norgesskjell has sent mussels for the analysis of seasonal variation of health and reproduction parameters, which is ongoing. Nofima has contributed to the production of Manila clam for later genetic analysis.

Bivalves provide consumers with high value essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and iodine. The production of bivalves has low environmental footprint. However, the technological development of the European bivalve production sectors lies far behind other aquaculture sectors. BIVALVI aims to improve bivalve production in Europe in a sustainable way by combining genetics and reproductive technologies with the objective to improved health- and production traits and production management. BIVALVI focuses on blue mussel, Manilla clams and Pacific oysters, the bivalve species with the highest production in Europe. BIVALVI combines technology and social sciences to enhance the knowledge and the economic importance of bivalve production, aligning it with the six fundamental principles of RRI. The four work-packages will characterize the health and reproduction status and immune functions of diploid and triploid bivalve stocks (WP1); survey and optimize farming management systems (WP2); advance breeding programmes and map disease resistance genes (WP3); evaluate social and ecosystem effects of production of bivalves through stakeholder and ecosystems services studies and test the organoleptic properties of triploids (WP4). An important added value of BIVALVI is the close co-operation between R&D and the bivalve industries in Ireland, Italy and Norway. Naturedulis s.r.l. and Norgesskjell AS are partners and other industries are represented through their associations. The multidisciplinary qualifications of the R&D partners NOFIMA, UCC and UNIBO are complementary, showing the importance of European cooperation for the developments in BIVALVI. An advisory board with representatives from industry, state agencies, branding and policy makers will provide guidance, strategic oversight and ensures practicality of developments. Moreover, the technology transfer between species and countries and the extensive dissemination program will ensure the impact of BIVALVI.

Funding scheme:

BIOTEK2021-Bioteknologi for verdiskaping

Thematic Areas and Topics

HavbrukProduksjonsbiologiMarinHavbrukInternasjonaliseringInternasjonalt prosjektsamarbeidMatGlobal matsikkerhetBioøkonomiMatNæringsmiddel og foredlingHavbrukCo-Funded/ERA-NETERA-NET Cofund H2020MatPortefølje Banebrytende forskningFornyelse og innovasjon i offentlig sektorMarinForskning og innovasjonPortefølje ForskningssystemetBransjer og næringerFiskeri og havbrukPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderHavbrukAvl og genetikkFNs BærekraftsmålMål 3 God helseMatMat, helse og velværeLTP3 Høy kvalitet og tilgjengelighetBioøkonomiØvrig bioøkonomiLTP3 Hav og kystLTP3 Marine bioressurser og havforvaltningAnvendt forskningLTP3 Klima, polar og miljøLTP3 Samfunnsikkerhet, sårbarhet og konfliktResponsible Research & InnovationRRI Utviklings- og prosessorienteringInternasjonaliseringLTP3 Styrket konkurransekraft og innovasjonsevneLTP3 Muliggjørende og industrielle teknologierLTP3 Nano-, bioteknologi og teknologikonvergensPortefølje Mat og bioressurserPortefølje Muliggjørende teknologierLTP3 Uttesting og kommersialisering av FoUPortefølje Klima og miljøBioøkonomiSektorovergripende bioøkonomiPortefølje InnovasjonMatMat - Blå sektorBioteknologiMarin bioteknologiKommersialiseringResponsible Research & InnovationRRI MedvirkningFNs BærekraftsmålBransjer og næringerPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderFiskeri og kystSirkulær økonomiResponsible Research & InnovationLTP3 Fagmiljøer og talenterBioteknologiFNs BærekraftsmålMål 2 Utrydde sultLTP3 Innovasjon i stat og kommuneGrunnforskningCo-Funded/ERA-NETLTP3 Samfunnssikkerhet og beredskapKlimarelevant forskningHavbrukHavbruks- og foredlingsteknologiLTP3 Bioøkonomi og forvaltningMarinMarin bioteknologiLTP3 Klima, miljø og energiNaturmangfold og miljøLTP3 Et kunnskapsintensivt næringsliv i hele landet