Facilities in the fish health and nutrition research laboratories
The University of Plymouth has a strong research track record in the fields of fish health and nutrition dating back more than three decades. 
Led by Dr Daniel Merrifield , the Fish Health and Nutrition research team actively engages with hatcheries, aquaculture farms and various other organisations nationally and internationally to support and conduct research and development at fundamental and applied levels contributing to United Nation Sustainable Development Goals, 2 (Zero Hunger), 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production) and 14 (Life Below Water).
This research theme has been supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Innovate UK, The Newton Fund, charities and educational trusts, learned societies, foreign government departments responsible for education, science and fisheries and others.
We have strong links with the aquaculture and aquafeed industries with research projects funded by companies such as Alltech, Alltech Coppens, BioMar, Biomin, Clasado Biosciences, DSM, Eurochem, Evonik, Lallemand SAS, Leiber GmbH, Novus International, Skretting, Tereos-Syral and others.
Projects focus on various aspects of fish and crustacean health, nutrition, microbiome and aquafeed sustainability. Key themes include better understanding of host-microbe interactions, dysbiosis, mucosal health, enteritis and intestinal inflammation, functional feed additives and novel raw materials for use in aquafeeds. 
These programmes span many commercially relevant species including rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, catfish, carp, Nile tilapia, ornamental species and the model species, zebrafish.
 

Our research team

MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries

The aquaculture and fisheries sectors make essential contributions to global food security and nutrition, contributing >175 million tonnes of production valued at over $400 billion. These sectors are intertwined; sharing the same environment and frequently interdependent on one another. Ensuring that aquatic farming practices, and wild fish populations, are sustainably managed is essential to support the needs of our growing population and to protect our aquatic ecosystems.
Find out more about our MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries programme  
Fishing boat beside a fish farm

Centre of Research excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Productive Systems (CRISPS)

CRISPS brings together a vibrant community of transdisciplinary researchers, working towards addressing the challenge of sustainably feeding a global population of 9 billion. Founded upon research excellence in aquaculture, agricultural technology and soil health, and underpinned by investment in cutting-edge facilities, the Centre will create the critical mass required to ensure impactful research and real-world deployment in the UK and beyond.
Centre of Research Excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Productive Systems (CRISPS) lead image showing a hand holding soil and a plant.