Strengthening Austrian aquaculture production through constant educational work

The annual basic course "Aquaculture in Warm Water Recirculating Systems" took place in April, as usual since the pandemic, in a blended learning format (i.e., both online and face-to-face). The Institute of Aquatic Ecology and Fisheries Management, as the organizer of this course, was pleased to see a continued high level of interest in this branch of aquaculture in Austria, which has been growing rapidly for years.

The participants received an insight into the market as well as the representation of interests of this branch from experts in the field. Furthermore, topics such as fish transport, veterinary law, animal health, hygiene and disinfection as well as stunning and killing of fish were covered. The course included informative lectures on water chemistry and plant technology, as well as planning and practical application of the recirculation plant. Important points were of course also legal aspects and marketing strategies in the aquaculture industry. Current topics, such as shrimp in aquaculture, as well as diseases that can affect fish in recirculation systems, rounded off the theory.

The final day included a field trip to the Edelhof and Waldland warm water recirculating aquaculture facilities, where participants gained first-hand experience and insight into the practice of recirculating aquaculture.

At the end, graduates should be able to assess the basic technological, as well as economic possibilities and risks of fish production in a warm water recirculating aquaculture system and thus acquire the basis for entering this form of fish production. The basic course comprised 40 hours and is recognized as a qualification certificate for grants from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021 - 2027.