Project

The aquaculture industry is growing rapidly due to the increasing demand for sustainable protein sources. New production methods, such as land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and aquaponics (combined plant and fish production), are playing an increasingly important role. However, outbreaks of infectious diseases can have a devastating effect on fish stocks and lead to economic losses.

The AquaMicrobiomeDB joint project is developing an online monitoring method that takes into account both biotic (e.g., pathogens) and abiotic (e.g., hydrogen sulfide or taste-altering substances) factors. The aim is to use rapid DNA analysis technology to create a platform that enables early warnings to be issued and recommendations for action to be provided. This allows problems to be responded to quickly and ensures the health of the animals and the quality of the products.

To this end, Fraunhofer IKTS is developing a plasmonic sensor system in a subproject that will monitor up to four target analytes, such as concentrations of pathogenic bacteria and/or taste-altering substances such as geosmin, on site and in real time.

Project period: 2025 to 2028

Project website: https://www.bgi.pt/aquamicrobiomedb

Funding: This project is financed by the Norwegian Research council, project number 360747

Project partners:

• BGI Sustainable Ventures (Portugal) 
• Morefish AS (Norwegen)
• Food4Sustainability (Portugal)
• ECH Elektrochemie Halle GmbH (Deutschland)

Funding organizations: EFRE, BMFTR, eurostars, eureka