Calls for research project proposals

With financial support from Open Philanthropy, the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling has launched three calls for proposals for research into the welfare of fish and other aquatic animals during farming, transport and slaughter in Thailand and Vietnam. Collaborative proposals for short research projects (4-6 months duration) were invited from academics and others (e.g. NGOs, companies, public and private research institutions, retailers, associations) located in Thailand and Vietnam. Proposals were initially reviewed by experts in aquatic animal welfare in the University of Stirling and then selected by a panel of external experts. Full details of the call can be accessed via the links at the end of this web page. Applications were invited under two streams, the first focusing on practical research on ways to improve husbandry, handling and slaughter of aquatic animals and the second researching perceptions and attitudes to fish welfare and how communication on aquatic animal welfare can be improved. A total of 50 applications were received. As the selection and contracting process continues, we will update the following list of contracted projects:

Research projects focusing on practical improvements to husbandry, handling and slaughter

C1-S1-05: Development and validation of morphological and biometric welfare indicators for basa fish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) in the Đồng Tháp (Mekong Delta). Dong Thap Community College, Vietnam, with LUTREOLA (Polish Society for Conservation Genetics).

C1-S1-30: Effects of stocking density and time during transportation on stress, behavioural and morphological observations and metabolic changes in Nile tilapia fry and their impact on growth performances, survival and health status through juvenile stage. Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand.

C2-S1-35: The influence of physical enrichment (PE) on aggressive behavior of mud skipper (Periophthalmus schlosseri). Can Tho University, Vietnam.

Research projects focusing on welfare perceptions, attitudes and communications

C1-S2-07: Assessing the status of awareness, behaviour, best practices and proposing solutions related to improving animal welfare in shrimp value chains in the Mekong River Delta in Viet Nam. Vietnam Institute of Fisheries Economics and Planning, Vietnam.

C1-S2-14: Perceptions and Attitudes towards Fish Vaccination in Thailand. National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand, with the Asian Institute of Technology, Kasetsart University, INVE Aquaculture and University of Stirling.

C1-S2-18: An Assessment of Perceptions and Behaviours of stakeholders in Central Thailand and Factors Influencing Farmed Fish Welfare Decisions in the Aquaculture Businesses. Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand with the Thai Tilapia Association and Temasek Polytechnic.

C1-S2-21: Addressing the aquatic animal welfare gap in Vietnamese education system. Tra Vinh University, Vietnam, with the Shrimp Welfare Project.

C1-S2-26: Perceptions of farmed fish welfare by different stakeholders: a focus on small-scale fish farms in Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Can Tho University, Vietnam, with Charles Darwin University and University of Stirling.