COPEWELL

Research Directions:

Description:

The project aims to demonstrate and quantify the presence and consistency of individual coping styles in farmed fish, on three of the most important aquaculture species in Europe (Atlantic salmon, European sea bass and gilthead sea bream), to establish methods for reliable identification of these styles and to provide causal mechanisms for their presence, by addressing the genetic regulation of coping styles at the level of the transcriptome, and by investigating differences in telencephalic structure and function. The expected impact of the project is to deepen our knowledge on the development of the brain function, behaviour and stress response in relation to the different husbandry practises and rearing methods. Moreover, it will significantly contribute in providing and extending the knowledge basis for the development of tools such as new individual-based indicators for a better assessment of fish welfare.