Advancing European bivalve production systems.
BIVALVI
Bivalves provide consumers with high value essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and iodine. The environmental footprint of bivalve production is low. However, the technological development of the European bivalve production sectors lie far behind other aquaculture sectors. BIVALVI aims to advance bivalve production in Europe in a sustainable way by combining genetics and reproductive technologies with improved health and production management.
BIVALVI focuses on blue mussel, Manilla clams and Pacific oysters, the bivalve species with the highest production in Europe. BIVALVI combines technology and social sciences to enhance the impact and acceptability of bivalve production, aligning it with the six fundamental principles of RRI. Work-packages will characterise the health and reproduction status and immune functions of diploid and triploid bivalve stocks (WPl); survey and optimise farming management systems (WP2); advance breeding programmes and map diesease resistance genes (WP3); and support sustainable quality stocks through stakeholder and ecosystems services studies, a study on organoleptic properties of triploids and developing non-invasive and high-throughput recording systems (WP4).
An important added value of BIVALVI is the close co-operation between R&D and the bivalve industries in Ireland, Italy and Norway. NE and S&S are partners and other industries are represented through their associations. The multidisciplinary qualifications of the R&D partners NOFIMA, UCC and UNIBO are complementary, showing the importance of European cooperation for the developments in BIVALVI. An advisory board with representatives from industry, state agencies, branding and policy makers will provide guidance, strategic oversight and ensures practicality of developments, in order to maximize the relevance and impact of BIVALVI. Moreover, the technology transfer between species and countries and the extensive dissemination program will ensure the impact of BIVALVI.