NoviFEED - Novel tools for intelligent feeding management in Atlantic salmon and meagre farming

About this project

<p>The NoviFEED project aims to develop innovative IT tools to address one of the main challenges faced aquaculture nowadays – feeding optimization – towards a more sustainable growth of this industry. NoviFEED main objectives are:<br> - Develop, apply and launch two innovative IT tools, FEEDNETICS and FiT feeding tables, to optimize feed management in Atlantic salmon and meagre rearing operations;<br> - Study the effects of dissolved oxygen levels on feed intake, and its inclusion in these innovative products for precision aquaculture.<br> To achieve these objectives the project was divided in 6 major activities (ATIs), including Industrial Research activities (ATI1, ATI2, ATI3) for knowledge/data generation and mathematical modelling; and Experimental Development activities (ATI4) for the implementation and demonstration of the IT tools, in order to reach a complete and qualified system (TRL8). ATI5 and ATI6 focuses on the dissemination, exploitation and marketing of project results, and on management activities, in order to ensure an effective execution of all tasks.<br> The project consortium is made up of 5 entities (SPAROS, IPMA, SEAentia, IMR and UiB) and it was formed by its complementary expertise. All entities will bring great potential to achieve the project’s objectives and will benefit from it. SPAROS will have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate its IT tools for Atlantic salmon and meagre, and thus improve its positioning within the European aquaculture market. IPMA, IMR and UiB will have the opportunity to conduct novel research on Atlantic salmon and meagre nutrition, which will contribute to consolidate their role as scientific knowledge builders and communicators. SEAentia will have the opportunity to improve its knowledge on meagre production and, specifically, to optimize its feeding management. In addition, the knowledge transfer envisaged in this cooperation will strength and leverage future relations among the entities of both states .</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

A major component of the NoviFEED project focused on improving computer tools and conducting research for Atlantic salmon. The bilateral cooperation between SPAROS (project leader) and the donor project partners, Institute of Marine Research (IMR, Norway) and University of Bergen (UiB, Norway), was crucial in achieving the project goals. This collaboration was essential for generating data through the in vivo nutritional trials with Atlantic salmon planned within the NoviFEED project. The partnership with IMR and UiB provided access to fully-equipped experimental facilities suitable for conducting salmon trials. Additionally, the knowledge transfer resulting from this cooperation was key to successfully achieving the project's main objectives, particularly due to the strong expertise of both institutions in salmon nutrition and physiology (e.g., appetite). The main outcomes of this collaboration include: ▪ Quantitative data on the impact of dissolved oxygen on Atlantic salmon performance; ▪ Effective knowledge transfer between partners; ▪ Enhanced networking opportunities with stakeholders in the salmon industry.

Project partners

• Norwegian Institute of Marine Research Donor project partner· Norway
• University of Bergen Donor project partner· Norway
• Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) Project partner· Portugal
• SEAentia-food Lda. Project partner· Portugal