The problem

During the EU-funded Fifth and Sixth Framework Programmes, there were numerous projects investigating various aspects of fish reproduction. During and on completion of each project, the results were published in the popular, trade and scientific press but the findings have not been drawn together as an integrated whole. A synthesis of these research findings will help to maximise the scientific, technical and socio-economic benefits to be gained and make them more readily available to the widest possible audience.

Overview:

REPROFISH will maximise the dissemination, accessibility, and application of research findings from EU-funded finfish reproduction projects. The project will engage with representatives and lead participants from earlier projects to:

• Gather relevant expertise to identify the significant results and synergistic opportunities
• Analyse and synthesise main results as a reference text for the aquaculture industry and associated scientific community
• Create a website presenting a digest of information on generic and species-specific aspects of finfish reproduction and its control by external and internal factors
• Identify knowledge gaps and prioritise medium to long-term research needs

Contribution to policy development:

• An integrated summary of EU-funded research on fish reproduction will inform discussion and decision-making for future development of the aquaculture industry and its supporting research needs.
• Information gathered for individual species or from local areas will be presented in a format that extends relevance across the EU in generic support of sustainable aquaculture.
• Results will be presented to help identify future research priorities to ensure long-term viability and maximise the socio-economic benefits of the European aquaculture industry.

Project deliverables

• Special issue of General and Comparative Endocrinology on fish reproduction – August 2008
• Progress report – February 2008
• Protocols for the control of finfish reproduction – May 2008
• Identification of research themes on control of reproduction in farmed fish – August 2008
• Conclusions and policy implementation plan – August 2008

Dissemination

• Project newsletter – May 2007, January 2009
• Leaflets in English and Spanish
• Project website including sections for scientists, fish farmers and the general public – regularly updated
• Special issue of General and Comparative Endocrinology on fish reproduction – August 2008

Technical information

Project acronym: REPROFISH
Project’s official full title: Integrating basic and applied knowledge on finfish reproduction
Research priority: Modernisation and sustainability of fisheries, including aquaculture-based production systems
Specific webpage: http://www.reprofish.eu 
Proposal/contract no: 044224
Start date: February 2007
Kick off meeting: February 2007
Completion date: January 2009
European Commission scientific officer: Jacques Fuchs, Jacques.FUCHS@ec.europa.eu

Coordinator: Olivier Kah, olivier.kah@univ-rennes1.fr
Name: Université de Rennes 1
Abbreviated name: UR1
Address: CNRS UMR 6026, ICM, Campus de Beaulieu
Bâtiment 13, Avenue du Général Leclerc,
35042 Rennes
Country: France
Tel: + 33 02 23 23 67 65
Fax: + 33 02 23 23 67 94
Website: http://www.umr6026.univ-rennes1.fr/emr.htm  

Partners

Name: Geir Lasse Taranger – Institute of Marine Research
Abbreviated name: IMR
Country: Norway

Name: Silvia Zanuy – Spanish Council for Scientific Research
Abbreviated name: CSIC
Country:Spain

Name: Rüdiger W. Schulz – University of Utrecht
Abbreviated name: UU
Country: Netherlands

Name: Jean-Jacques Lareyre – Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
Abbreviated name: INRA
Country: France