In the spotlight
Dr. Ir. Robbert Blonk, researcher at Imares, part of Wageningen UR, the Netherlands
What is your contribution to the FISHBOOST project?
Within the FISHBOOST project, we work on developing methods for selection on feed efficiency in individual farmed fish that are easier, quicker, more representative and more accurate than conventional methods.
Conventional methods currently are not representative for the prediction of feed efficiency of individual fish in practice. In this research we test several existing methods in one experiment, which allows us to make a comparison of the methods’ accuracy and to select the best method, or a combination of methods.
Furthermore, we are working on a new method based on the swimming performance of fish as indicator to predict individual feed efficiency. This is new in aquaculture production. The swimming performance of fish is related to its endurance, which again hopefully tells us something about the feed efficiency of the animal.
What is your contribution to the FISHBOOST project?
Within the FISHBOOST project, we work on developing methods for selection on feed efficiency in individual farmed fish that are easier, quicker, more representative and more accurate than conventional methods.
Conventional methods currently are not representative for the prediction of feed efficiency of individual fish in practice. In this research we test several existing methods in one experiment, which allows us to make a comparison of the methods’ accuracy and to select the best method, or a combination of methods.
Furthermore, we are working on a new method based on the swimming performance of fish as indicator to predict individual feed efficiency. This is new in aquaculture production. The swimming performance of fish is related to its endurance, which again hopefully tells us something about the feed efficiency of the animal.
What fascinates you in this project?
The most exciting part of this research is to develop a method that can be used in practical fish breeding programmes. The experiments with sea bream for example, will result in a method that we will test in practice, after which it hopefully can be more widely used in the aquaculture industry. This has the potential to move the aquaculture sector forward to become more resource efficient.
What are your expectations?
Experiments are always exciting and full of expectations. Especially the expectations for swimming performance as indicator for feed efficiency are high. We are currently running the first experiments with sea bream. The first results are expected in February 2015. After that, we will continue with new experiments with salmon.
I expect to succeed in developing a new method for predicting feed efficiency in farmed fish that can be used for selection in practical fish breeding programmes.
The most exciting part of this research is to develop a method that can be used in practical fish breeding programmes. The experiments with sea bream for example, will result in a method that we will test in practice, after which it hopefully can be more widely used in the aquaculture industry. This has the potential to move the aquaculture sector forward to become more resource efficient.
What are your expectations?
Experiments are always exciting and full of expectations. Especially the expectations for swimming performance as indicator for feed efficiency are high. We are currently running the first experiments with sea bream. The first results are expected in February 2015. After that, we will continue with new experiments with salmon.
I expect to succeed in developing a new method for predicting feed efficiency in farmed fish that can be used for selection in practical fish breeding programmes.
