Low trophic food production in marine ecosystems

Will the oceans feed the world? Optimistic views on a 'Blue Revolution' have recently been challenged and in particular the future role of marine fish culture is questioned. Sustainable growth in global seafood production is therefore expected to come from low trophic species -such as seaweed, shellfish, sea cucumbers, and sponges- produced through aquaculture (LTA) or harvested from natural stocks (LTH). Beyond the provisioning of healthy marine protein products, cultivation and harvest of low trophic species offers additional benefits as these species are relatively resource efficient and may contribute positively to ecosystem services. As the natural foodweb plays a central role, both aquaculture and harvest of low trophic species must also remain within the ecological boundaries of the ecosystem to safeguard long‑term viability and resilience.

This interdisciplinary course connects marine food production with ecological principles. It focuses on understanding the interactions between low trophic production (LTA & LTH) and natural ecological processes, and examines how these relationships define the opportunities as well as boundaries for sustainable food production. Students will explore concepts like biodiversity, carbon capture, nutrient cycling, habitat integrity and carrying capacity. The course also address how low trophic production can support circular strategies at sea, including Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). Through a variety of teaching formats (lectures, tutorials, practical(s), a field visit and case study), students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the ecological sustainability of low trophic production and its potential role in shaping future marine food systems.

• Identify and explain the challenges and opportunities associated with production and harvesting of low trophic marine species in relation to the ecological sustainability goals for seafood production

• Analyse how environmental factors drive the physiology and ecological functioning of low trophic marine species, and explore how this can be used to sustainably manage marine ecosystems and advance aquaculture production

• Describe how Environmental Impact Assessments are used to evaluate ecosystem interactions and apply them to low trophic aquaculture and harvesting

• Develop insights in ecosystem services and ecological impacts of large scale aquaculture and harvest (e.g. biodiversity, benthic habitat quality and carbon capture)

• Calculate and interpret nutrient balances of low trophic aquaculture in relation to ecosystem functioning (i.e. carrying capacity) and in integrated aquaculture systems (IMTA) and assess mitigation strategies to reduce impacts of excess nutrient input by fed aquaculture

• Demonstrate how farm design can influence ecological sustainability of aquaculture, and how eco-based solutions may contribute to harvest of low trophic species

• Design and present an integrated proposal for ecological value creation in marine food systems

• Engage with local stakeholders (i.e. academia, the shellfish sector, knowledge and policy institutions), in order to gain understanding of the field, its practices, and its societal relevance.

• Written test with open and closed questions (80%)
• Assignment other (20%) case study report and presentation. In case of a failed report, students can hand in a revised version of their report during the next resit period. In case of a failed presentation, students redo this during the last friday of the course (week 4). Two subsequent failures: then the assignment must be done again during the next academic year.
• Performance (0%) In order to pass this course, attendance of tutorials, practical, excursion and case study meetings are mandatory. In case of absence an alternative assignment will be provided.

ZSS06100 Laboratory Safety, ZSS06200 Fieldwork Safety This course has no formal prerequisites. However, a basic understanding of marine biology and/or ecology is recommended. Relevant background knowledge can be gained from courses such as AFI-21306 Life History of Aquatic Animals, MAE-30306 Marine Animal Ecology, AFI-20306 Aquaculture Biology, or CSA-21306 Seaweed Biology and Cultivation.