Aquaculture, the controlled production of aquatic organisms, plays a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for health, tasty and sustainably produced seafood. The rapid growth and intensification of seafood farming has inevitably resulted in the increased occurrence of viral, bacterial, parasitic or stress-related disease outbreaks. Indeed, current fa may in many farming practises tend to promote the presence of unwanted micro-organisms. It is an aspect of modern aquaculture that, until recently, has been largely underestimated or ignored in some regions, but that needs to be approached in a strategic way if current aquaculture production is to be improved in a sustainable way. In salmon aquaculture, for instance, spreading of viral diseases and parasites (salmon lice) are among the main current health and welfare challenges. In penaeid shrimp farming, viral disease outbreaks have occasionally decimated the production of whole countries causing huge economic losses and threatened livelihoods of numerous family-run business. Science-based efficient health management and well-educated specialised personnel are paramount for overcoming these problems.

The AquaH programme responds to the need for an expert training that prepares students to develop and implement innovative solutions to aquaculture health issues thus contributing to the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. The programme focuses on understanding and controlling the interaction between aquaculture species and their environment, in order to produce robust and healthy animals with attention for epidemiologic, environmental and welfare regulations. The programme offers 3 distinct learning lines, each addressing aquaculture health issues on a different level:

• The relationship between the ecosystem and health
• Preventing disease and maintaining adequate health, whilst minimising the impact on the environment
• The relationship between animal physiology and health

This ERASMUS Mundus programme enables students to study at 4 of Europe’s leading institutes in aquaculture and do a work placement at one of our numerous industry or research partners worldwide. ERASMUS Mundus scholarships are available.  

First semester

The programme starts with a common semester at Ghent University where students receive courses on fundamental aspects in health management in aquaculture an essentials in statistics and aquaculture practices.

Second en third semester

Students can choose between one or the two learning lines each at another of the four programme partner institutes.

• The learning line of NTNU, Norway, on ‘Ecosystems and Health’
  Involves important interactions between farmed and native organisms, including how diseases and parasites are spread (salmon lice); interactions between native microbial communities and farmed hosts; the influence of water quality (e.g. toxic algae) on the health and welfare of farmed fish. The overall focus is normally on how the environment, or the ecosystem, may affect fish health, not on the effects of farming on the environment. Learning activities include mainly health, welfare and environmental issues for fish from larval to adult stages. NTNU currently has major involvement in research on health issues in marine fish farming and has a strong relationship with industry.  
• The learning line at WU, Netherlands, on ‘Disease Prevention Management & Health’
  Focuses on relevant innovations by studying fish and shellfish nutrition and health. This is mainly in circular aquaculture systems, be it in recirculating aquaculture systems or ponds. Research looks into how nutrition influences health and how novel feeds improve disease resistance; it also considers the latest strategies in terms of activation of the immune system and key therapeutic tools, such as new generation vaccines.  
• The learning line of UAB/UB, Barcelona, on ‘Physiology and Health’
  With the main purpose of acquiring knowledge on the physiological mechanisms involved in the overall health of fish and shellfish. Therefore, the following aspects will be considered: harmonious growth and balanced nutrition; the generation of the stress response and stress prevention methodologies; the innate and adaptive mechanisms of immune defences; the regulatory systems involved; knowledge of infections; pathological signs; and the patho-physiological response.

In the second and third semester, students will also do an internship at one of the many international industry or research partners of the programme consortium.

Fourth semester: Master's Dissertation

Students can choose the topic for their master’s Dissertation (thesis) in a broad range of disciplines in which the scientific staff of the master’s programmes is active. In general, the students become involved in ongoing research within the research laboratories of their promoter(s). Thanks to our extended international network, students can perform their master’s dissertation work in laboratories in other (non-) European countries. Students have to conduct research with the appropriate expertise in order to contribute to the development of a particular research domain. The ultimate goal is to initiate students into research at an academic level so that, upon completion of their master’s programme, they are able to autonomously carry out scientific research.

The ever-continuing intensification in aquaculture systems, along with an increased production scale has inevitably resulted in the increased occurrence of disease outbreaks. This has created an urgent need for aquaculture health management experts who can respond to the health challenges in the aquaculture industry.

 The AquaH programme will prepare you for a range of diverse career options, including:

• Head of R&D teams in one of the leading aquaculture pharma companies
• Self-employed consultant in fish disease issues
• Governmental veterinary officer responsible for farmed fish health and welfare, quarantine regulation, food quality and security control etc.
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