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The Project

This project is researching a novel aquaculture approach which adopts a sustainable and environmentally friendly production method for farmed fish and involves the integration of a warm water species into main stream farming.  This will permit diversification and other benefits to small scale producers whilst stimulating growing niche markets for fresh fish in the UK.

The project is funded by the Rural Economy and Land Use Programme (RELU) and is being undertaken by the Institute of Aquaculture, Department of Marketing and the Public Health Research Group at the University of Stirling.

The research is using a multi-disciplinary approach with numerous commercial partners to develop technical guidelines for tilapia production, appropriate to integration within farms as a diversification strategy.  The current knowledge and perceptions of industry and consumers will be examined, especially regarding sustainability including health benefits and food safety, costs and risks.  Social and economic factors that may facilitate or obstruct consumers’ propensity to access new products will be identified.  The comparative advantage of domestic production compared with the potential threat of imports will be explored and sustainability concerns on SME fish farming enterprise decision-making examined.  Research is being undertaken both at the IoA, with commercial partners, and along the marketing chain between producers and ultimate consumers.