The project aims to generate new practical knowledge on how to reduce the incidence of malformations in the major fish species used in European aquaculture production and to apply this to the professional sector.
High numbers of malformed individual fish can cause severe financial losses for small and medium-size enterprise (SME) growers of almost all aquaculture species across Europe. The similarity of malformation symptoms across different fish species and culture environments implies a general effect within rearing conditions. A wide-scope research effort is needed to identify the causes and develop solutions. With 19 partners in nine countries, the Collective Research FINEFISH project aims to generate new scientific and practical knowledge to help SME hatcheries reduce the incidence of malformations in the major fish species used in European aquaculture production, thus increasing production yields.