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Sustainable use of aquatic resources and aquaculture
Fish and seafood are increasingly important form of nutrition in every parts of the world. Ensuring sustainable use of fish and other aquatic resources is of essence.
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Luke provides a wide range of research resources to enable the sustainable use of waters and fish stocks. Continuous development of methodology through international cooperation is an integral part of the work.
The restoration of regulated watercourses is an important area of our research, aiming to find solutions for enhancement of natural reproduction of migratory fish, revival of endangered fish populations and conservation of fish biodiversity. The management of fisheries both in the Baltic Sea and in the inland waters support both sustainable and profitable fishing industry as well as extensive recreational fisheries. Spatial planning is an important recent process aiming to maintain prosperous fish stocks. The potential of blue wellbeing services is also investigated.
For decades, Luke has developed methodology for sustainable aquaculture. Our key expertise is in cold water fish farming, in flow-through and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Aquaculture is a rapidly growing way of producing protein-rich food, already accounting for a bigger share of the fish on our plates than fisheries. Furthermore, fish is farmed for stocking into natural waters, securing the conservation of biodiversity and management of endangered species – and the livelihoods of fishermen and recreational fisheries.
Innovation Programmes for Fisheries
Purpose: Part of European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme for Finland, the Innovation Programmes for Fisheries aim to develop the cooperation within the entire fishing industry and its value chain. The scope of the programmes includes network-based development of fisheries, fisheries’ environmental innovations, sustainable aquaculture and restoration of environments. Impact: The programmes promote fisheries’ product development, strengthen private and public partnerships, and encourage courageous experiments. Planned to continue until 2022, the programmes have already brought concrete results in form of, for example, methods to produce new kind of “pulled fish” products of under-utilised fish species. Partners: 3 coordinators + research and industry partners. Luke coordinates three of the five programmes and is an active partner in the other two. Financier: European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
AquaImpact
Purpose: To integrate the fields of fish breeding and nutrition to increase the competitiveness of EU’s aquaculture of Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, gilthead seabream and European seabass, to ensure food and nutrition security and to satisfy consumer demands for high-quality seafood with limited environmental impact. Impact: The project’s input will help produce more robust, healthy, nutritious and resource-efficient fish to meet consumer needs. Thus, it promotes industrial practices of re-circular bioeconomy, zero-waste and efficient use of natural resources. Partners: 22 + 2 third party members Financier: Horizon 2020
Restoring migratory fish in regulated waters
Purpose: To improve the living conditions of migratory fish in regulated rivers and water courses by providing new information on the behaviour of migrating fish and supporting solutions to it. A central part of the project is to combine the information produced by researchers and hydropower companies for modelling flowing and turbulent water and fish movements in modified channels, and to advance fish monitoring in general. Impact: The partnership has increased the mutual understanding of different parties and advanced research-based solutions aiming to improve the conditions of migratory fish in regulated waters. Customers: Hydropower companies, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, regional ELY-centres Financiers: Fortum Oy, Kemijoki Oy, PVO-Vesivoima Oy, Vattenfall Oy, UPM Energy Oy, Oulun Energia Oy, Helen Oy, Kolsin Voima Oy, Finnish Energy, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and Luke.
Developing cold water fish farming in Vietnam
Purpose: A long-term project aimed to establish cold water fish farming in Northern and Central Vietnam. In cooperation with Research Institute for Aquaculture No1 (RIA-1) and Finnish Food Safety Authority, Luke helped in building a pilot farm and built local capacity to support sustainable growth of the sector. Impact: The number of cold water fish farms has increased from zero to over one hundred, producing over two million kilos of fish. Currently, cold water fish farming employs 10,000–15,000 people in Vietnam directly or indirectly, bringing wealth to the region. Partners: 3 Financier: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland
