Back to search

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. 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. Dette eksperimentet blir gjentatt våren 2024 og høsten/vinteren 2024/2025. Norgesskjell has sent mussels to partner UCC, Ireland, 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. Nofima has also sampled Manila clam for genetic analysis of resistance to Vibriose mediteranae at the premises of Naturedulis, Italy. Nofima has contributed to a survey on social acceptance of triploid (sterile) blue mussels; it is now being translated into several languages, before being launched. Finally, we have set up a plan to produce six small videos on the results from Bivalvi.

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

InternasjonaliseringPortefølje Klima og miljøInternasjonaliseringInternasjonalt prosjektsamarbeidFNs BærekraftsmålMål 2 Utrydde sultFNs BærekraftsmålLTP3 Innovasjon i stat og kommuneKommersialiseringFornyelse og innovasjon i offentlig sektorFNs BærekraftsmålMål 3 God helseBioøkonomiØvrig bioøkonomiLTP3 Klima, polar og miljøForskning og innovasjonHavbrukAvl og genetikkMatMat, helse og velværeSirkulær økonomiLTP3 Uttesting og kommersialisering av FoULTP3 Høy kvalitet og tilgjengelighetAnvendt forskningResponsible Research & InnovationNaturmangfold og miljøMatNæringsmiddel og foredlingPortefølje Banebrytende forskningResponsible Research & InnovationRRI MedvirkningPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderHavbrukProduksjonsbiologiBioteknologiBioteknologiMarin bioteknologiPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderFiskeri og kystBioøkonomiLTP3 Hav og kystCo-Funded/ERA-NETBioøkonomiSektorovergripende bioøkonomiLTP3 Bioøkonomi og forvaltningLTP3 Samfunnssikkerhet og beredskapLTP3 Marine bioressurser og havforvaltningLTP3 Fagmiljøer og talenterKlimarelevant forskningMarinLTP3 Nano-, bioteknologi og teknologikonvergensResponsible Research & InnovationRRI Utviklings- og prosessorienteringLTP3 Klima, miljø og energiMarinHavbrukHavbrukHavbruks- og foredlingsteknologiGrunnforskningMatBransjer og næringerFiskeri og havbrukBransjer og næringerPortefølje Mat og bioressurserLTP3 Et kunnskapsintensivt næringsliv i hele landetCo-Funded/ERA-NETERA-NET Cofund H2020Portefølje Muliggjørende teknologierLTP3 Muliggjørende og industrielle teknologierHavbrukMarinMarin bioteknologiLTP3 Samfunnsikkerhet, sårbarhet og konfliktPortefølje ForskningssystemetLTP3 Styrket konkurransekraft og innovasjonsevnePortefølje InnovasjonMatGlobal matsikkerhetMatMat - Blå sektor