Other Research Activities

MFF also supports research on other species that are of potential interest to the aquaculture industry in Malta. Support is provided either through direct funding for experiments and trials or by assisting undergraduate and post-graduate students from the University of Malta in conducting the practical aspects of their dissertation projects.

In recent years, research on other non-fish species has focused around the concept of ‘Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture’ or IMTA. IMTA is a new concept in aquaculture which uses multiple species that each utilize the waste produced by other species within the system. This production system has the advantage of mitigating some of the environmental effects of aquaculture, as well as increasing the potential markets for aquaculture producers. Currently, trials are under way to investigate the potential of rearing sea cucumbers (Holothuria tubulosa and H. Polii), sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) and macroalgae (Ulva spp.) in conjunction with the on-growing production of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and the meagre (Argyrosomus regius).

Students Supported by MFF (Dissertations):

BSc

Caruana. (2011). The effects of salinity on survival and growth of the greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili (Risso, 1810) larvae. University of Malta.

MSc

Schembri. (2015). Pathological findings of farmed Sparus aurata with special attention o parasites of the gills, fins and skin. University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest.

Cutajar. (2016). Further investigations into the potential development of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) in the Maltese Islands. University of Malta.

Caria. (2018). Routines in a European aquaculture research facility and analysis of biometrics, the asteriscus and lapillus otolith relationships in adult Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus. Polytechnic Institute of Leiria.

To view a list of some of the publications produced as a result of our R&D please click here.