09725 - Aquaculture

Learning outcomes

This course aims to provide a practical and basic knowledge on the breeding technologies and culture systems for the main aquatic species. In particular, at the end of the course the student will be able to manage the aquatic environment and production phases starting from the management of broodstocks, reproduction, incubation and larval rearing and fattening of salmonids, eels, sea bass, sea bream and cyprinids. In addition, the student will acquire the basic notions for the management of extensive and intensive farming systems inland and for marine aquaculture.

Course contents

Aquaculture production statistics: state of the art of world, european and italian aquaculture.

Culture systems: Physico-chemical requirements of water used in aquaculture. Characteristics of the plants and equipments used in the various stages of breeding.

Fish species of interest for aquaculture: basic knowledge of systematics, biology and morphology. Salmonids (biological cycle and morphological characteristics; reproduction; incubation and hatching of eggs; breeding and fattening; grading; harvest and commercialization of the product); Eel production (biological cycle; supply of juveniles, glass eel and juveniles weaning, farming systems, fattening, grading, harvesting and marketing); Marine fish species production - sea bass and sea bream - (Management of a hatchery for marine species. Ecophysiological conditioning and hormonal stimulation of breeders. Egg deposition, hatching, larval weaning and rearing, fattening in basins and cages); Cyprinids (natural and artificial breeding techniques, weaning and fattening).

Readings/Bibliography

• Teaching material
  
• Cataudella S. & Bronzi P. Unimar. Acquacoltura Responsabile- Uniprom 2001
• Giordani G. Melotti P. Elementi di Acquacoltura - Edagricole, Bologna, 1984
• Stickney R.R. & Gatlin D.M - Aquaculture, an introductory test - 4th Edition, CABI, Boston, 2022

Teaching methods

Lessons, visits to aquaculture plants, seminars on topics to be defined during the course.

Assessment methods

Oral interview lasting about 25-30 minutes. During this interview, theoretical and applicative knowledge of the student will be verified. In particular, it will be evaluated clarity in the presentation of the contents, in-depth knowledge and connection between the main topics, appropriate use of the specific terminology and language of the sector.

Teaching tools

Power point slides of the lectures will be available through the Virtuale platform.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Soglia