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ParaFishControl

ParaFishControl:

Advanced Tools and Research Strategies for Parasite Control in European Farmed Fish

Objectives

ParaFishControl is a European Union funded project under the Horizon 2020 programme. The overarching goal of ParaFishControl is to increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the European aquaculture industry. The 29 partner strong consortium will achieve this by improving our understanding of fish-parasite interactions and by developing innovative solutions and tools for the prevention, control and mitigation of the most harmful parasitic species affecting the main European farmed fish species.

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing sector worldwide, currently providing half of all aquatic animals for human consumption. If responsibly developed and practised, aquaculture can generate lasting benefits for global food security and economic growth. Parasites and related infections can cause significant damage to farmed fish resulting in poor growth performance, impaired welfare and high mortality rates, which can significantly hamper aquaculture production and economic performance. Disease prevention and management are therefore essential for the sustainability of the aquaculture industry.

The concept of ParaFishControl is to strengthen the applied knowledge base for parasites of European farmed fish, bridging the gap between fundamental knowledge of parasite biology, host-parasite interactions and the development of practical applications for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the principal parasitic diseases, as well as characterising transfer of parasites between wild and farmed fish populations.

Activities in ParaFishControl will be carried out over five years in working groups arranged into nine work packages which are cross-cutting and integrate all fish host species and their relevant parasites.

ParaFishControl will carry out a dynamic programme to ensure dissemination of the research findings to a variety of stakeholders such as scientists working in academia or industry, fish farmers/growers, fish health professionals, agricultural advisors, breeders, consumers and policy makers as well as the public.

EC funding : 7,8M € (Budget 8 063 877,50 €)
Duration : 5 years
Start : April 1st 2015
Coordinator : Ariadna Sitjà-Bobadilla - parafishcontrol.coordination@csic.es
Project manager : Enric Belles-Boix – enric.belles-boix@paris.inra.fr
Website : www.parafishcontrol.eu