AQX201 Fish Health Biology

The course gives an introduction to fish health and physiology in order to understand how the physiological status interacts with diseases in farmed fish, including important functions such as oxygen uptake, osmoregulation, heart function and the immune responses. The focus will be on pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites, their impact on fish biology and welfare, and methods for disease prevention and control. Challenges related to farming conditions and innovations related to e.g. salmon lice treatments will be presented and discussed during the lectures.

Knowledge:

• Have an overview of the most important diseases in the Norwegian aquaculture industry and preventive measures
• Have basic knowledge about the fish's physiological adaptations to a life in water and how they are affected by disease and stress factors
• Understand the interaction between stress, good health and welfare in farmed fish and the importance of their interaction for a sustainable aquaculture industry

Skills:

• Can update their knowledge of fish health biology by finding and referring to relevant popular science subject litterature
• Can present and exchange views on current challenges in the scientific field

General competence:

• Have insight into relevant issues related to the health and welfare of farmed fish
• Understand that a sustainable aquaculture industry requires an in depth understanding of potentials and limitations regarding fish physiology