Low Trophic Aquaculture
Overall Course Objectives
General course objectives:
To provide students with a fundamental knowledge about Lower Trophic Aquaculture (LTA), including culture technologies, environmental interactions, and the cultivation of different species of shellfish, macroalgae, microalgae, crustaceans, and gastropods. Students will become familiar with basic concepts in LTA and the biological and technical background for the cultivated species. The students will be introduced to different farmed species through different practical exercises and excursions to commercial production sites and companies. The students will learn the processes and requirements for controlled life cycles of different species in LTA starting from the hatchery and through to grow-out. Students will be able to identify low trophic species’ physiological parameters used for growth models and plan a production cycle. The course will familiarize the students with the management and technology used in hatcheries, hatchery processes, and aspects of biosecurity. The students will be able to cultivate different species in LTA through the application of appropriate husbandry techniques and technologies. Lastly, students will become familiar with the role of LTA in watershed nutrient cycles, coastal ecology, and the ecosystem services that LTA can provide from an environmental management perspective.
See course description in Danish
Learning Objectives
- Provide an overview of the main produced species in LTA.
- Explain the requirements for the different species life cycle.
- Identify the different phases of low trophic species aquaculture: from juveniles to grow-out
- List the biosecurity measures for LTA.
- Conduct and plan production cycles of different species.
- Organize logistic and monitoring program for managing LTA production.
- Report on how to establish a new LTA business.
- Demonstrate the role of LTA species in ecosystem services.
Course Content
Introduction to low trophic aquaculture and most common cultivated species.
Life cycle and production system of low trophic species.
Feeding and nutrition of low trophic species.
Low trophic hatchery practice (shellfish and macroalgae) and facility at DTU Aqua.
Grow out practice and facility at DTU Aqua and industry.
Introduction to integrated multritrophic aquaculture (IMTA).
Role of low trophic species in the ecosystem and services provided.
Risk associated with low trophic aquaculture (e.g. biosecurity measures, climate change).
Site selection for low trophic species farming.
Management and regulation associated with low trophic aquaculture.
Recommended prerequisites
25301/25346
Teaching Method
Lectures, exercises, field work
Faculty
Remarks
UN SDGs addressed in the course:
SDG: 2 (Zero hunger), 3 (Good health and well-being), 8 (Decent work and economic growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 12 (Responsible consumption and production), 13 (Climate action), 14 (Life below water).