Research

Nofima Marin engages in R & D, innovation and knowledge transfer for the national and international fisheries and aquaculture industry. Nofima Marin covers the full spectrum from small applied projects with industry through to heading long-term international research projects. The research projects are supported by public funds as well as the industry. All our research is aimed at making the fisheries and aquaculture industry both more effective and more sustainable. Nofima Marin's scientists have had a central role in the progress made by the Norwegian and global aquaculture industry, and we are involved in advancing the development with new species and enhanced production.

 

Research area

Aquaculture production

Nofima Marin develops knowledge which contributes to optimising production conditions for aquaculture species. This involves charting factors and understanding mechanisms which influence mortality, growth, feed utilisation, quality of edible fish and the health and welfare of the animals.

Breeding and genetics

With considerable experience and exceptionally good results to show from breeding of species such as salmon and tilapia, scientists from Nofima Marin are playing a key role on an international basis in breeding and genetics

The objective of breeding programmes is to create fish strains that are more productive in farming than can be achieved by catching wild broodstock year after year. Experience from Norwegian salmon farming shows that breeding has contributed to enhanced and more profitable production, and that it has given Norway an international competitive advantage.

Catch and slaughtering

Capture-based aquaculture, catch, handling and quality and slaughtering of fish.

Feed and nutrition

Since salmon farming started in Norway around 1970, fish feed has undergone rapid development. This progress concerns the production technology, ingredients, knowledge about the fish’s nutritional requirements and feeding.

 

Fish health

Disease prevention, vaccine development, challenge models and deformities.

Marine biotechnology

Molecular biology, marine bioprospecting and bioprocessing.

Seafood

Seafood is among Norway’s most important export products with an annual export value of around NOK 45 billion.

Sustainability and welfare

In most respects, good animal welfare is synonymous with good health, good growth and good feed utilisation – or in other words good and cost-effective production. This is the background for the focus on welfare in our research.