Welfare assessment of salmon within aquaculture

The UN FAO reports that sustainable aquaculture is the only way to meet increasing global demand for fish and the consequent health benefits. However, concern for fish welfare is increasing with publication of reports from bodies like the Farm Animal Welfare Council1. Currently there is no specific legislation relating to aquaculture other than that covered by the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, and the EU Directive 98/58/EC, and so the UK industry works to codes such as RSPCA Assured standards. In the UK there are around 8000 jobs within aquaculture2 which, based on recent production figures, equates to 27,000 fish per employee in the sea and 150,000 fish per employee in fresh water. Consequently, current methods of welfare assessment are largely based on Resource Based Measures (e.g. stocking density, water quality) and poor function (survival, disease etc). The FAWC report1 states that ‘Industry, research organisations and governments should collaborate in advancing research on fish welfare’. This presents challenges in monitoring aquatic animals, however with technological advances in remote monitoring there is scope to extend fish welfare assessment and explore Animal Based Measures which reflect a greater range of experiences (including positive) and could be applied across international production systems. Main objectives:
• Develop industry stakeholder group with RSPCA Assured STAG (Standards Technical Advisory Groups).
• Survey main welfare concerns within aquaculture and current mitigation strategies
• Consequently to develop industry relevant and validated welfare assessment measures (based on the EU Welfare Quality Framework3)
• To investigate the feasibility of recording the measures using technology suitable to aquaculture, and to compare against current welfare measures (e.g. RSPCA Assured).
• To develop recommendations relating to on-farm welfare assessment within aquaculture.
Research training: literature searching, critical writing, surveys, developing/ testing hypotheses, behavioural and physiological assessment (as informed by the project), remote monitoring, knowledge exchange, scientific communication.

Application procedures
Applications including a statement of interest and full CV with names and addresses (including email addresses) of two academic referees, should be emailed to [Email Address Removed].
When applying for the studentship please state clearly the title of the studentship and the supervisor/s in your covering letter.

All applicants should also apply through the University’s on-line application system for September 2018 entry via http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&id=826

Applicants for the Principal’s career development studentship must also complete the specific on-line application form.

Applicants for an Enlightenment Scholarship must also complete the specific on-line application form.
ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE CLOSING DATE 16th January 2018