11775 research outputs found

    Sluttrapport for Frisk Oslofjord - 2018-2024

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    Det overordnede målet for «Frisk Oslofjord» prosjektene har vært å skape varig miljøbevissthet og engasjement for Oslofjorden gjennom undervisning og formidling bygget på kunnskap fra forskning, overvåkning og miljøkartlegging, samt legget et grunnlag for nye prosjekt og permanente løsninger.Sluttrapport for Frisk Oslofjord - 2018-2024publishedVersio

    Survey report (Part 2) from the joint Norwegian/Russian Ecosystem Survey in the Barents Sea and the adjacent waters August-October 2023 — Marine environment, Mesozooplankton, Commercial Demersal Fish, Fish Biodiversity, Commercial Shellfish, Benthic Invertebrate Community, Marine Mammals and Seabirds

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    The aim of the joint Norwegian/Russian ecosystem survey in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters, August-October (BESS) is to monitor the status and changes of in the Barents Sea ecosystem. The survey has since 2004 been conducted annually in the autumn, as a collaboration between the IMR in Norway and the Polar Branch of VNIRO (PINRO) in Russia. The general survey plan, tasks, and sailings routes are usually agreed at the annual PINRO-IMR Meeting in March, but in 2023, due to external factors making physical meetings between Norwegian and Russian researchers difficult, they were agreed by correspondence. Survey coordinators in 2023 was Dmitry Prozorkevich (PINRO) and Geir Odd Johansen (IMR). No exchange of Russian and Norwegian experts between their respective vessels in 2023. The 21th BESS was carried out during the period from 10th August to 7th October by the Norwegian research vessels “Kronprins Haakon”, “G.O. Sars” and “Johan Hjort”, and the Russian vessels “Vilnyus”. The scientists and technicians taking part in the survey onboard the research vessels are listed in Table 1. As always, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the crew and scientific personnel onboard RVs “Vilnyus”, “G.O. Sars”, “Kronprins Haakon” and “Johan Hjort” and for their dedicated work, as well as all the people involved in planning and reporting of BESS 2023. This is a first part of the survey report summarising the observations and status assessments based on the survey data. The information obtained in BESS 2023 will be further used for the implementation of various international and national projects, assessment of fish and invertebrate stocks, environmental monitoring, etc.Survey report (Part 2) from the joint Norwegian/Russian Ecosystem Survey in the Barents Sea and the adjacent waters August-October 2023 — Marine environment, Mesozooplankton, Commercial Demersal Fish, Fish Biodiversity, Commercial Shellfish, Benthic Invertebrate Community, Marine Mammals and SeabirdspublishedVersio

    Comparative study of fatty acid composition of muscles of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua Linnaeus, 1758) with natural diet and feeding near salmon farms

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    Coastal aquaculture and local fisheries interact in shared marine environments, influencing each other synergistically and/or antagonistically. Salmon farming, notably with open-net sea cages along the Norwegian coast, attracts wild fish due to increased food availability from uneaten feed, but it also exposes wild fish to farm emissions like waste and toxic chemicals (de-lice treatments, antifouling and medical agents). The attraction behaviour of wild fish can impact fatty acid composition in fish tissues, influenced by the high terrestrial fat content in salmon aquafeed. We study how the Atlantic cod, aggregating around salmon farms in a subarctic fjord in Northern Norway, can be affected, potentially altering their natural diet and fatty acid profiles. Our study compares the muscle-tissue fatty acid compositions of cod caught near aquaculture facilities (impact) versus fish caught in neighbouring fjords (control), and we hypothesise decreased omega-3 fatty acids near farms. The analysis revealed no significant differences in the fatty acid concentrations or categories between the impacted and control fish, challenging our initial expectations. However, differences were found for C18:1(n9)t (elaidic acid), with a higher value in the impacted fish. These findings suggest that salmon farming’s influence on cod’s fatty acid profiles in the flesh (i.e., relevant for the nutritional quality of the fillets that consumers eat) may be limited or minimal despite their aggregative behaviours around farms. The threshold levels of salmon feed consumed by wild cod before it affects the quality and survival of, e.g., sperm or other life stages, are not known and require new investigations. This study underscores the complexity of interactions between aquaculture and wild fisheries, impacting both ecological dynamics and consumer perspectives on seafood quality and health benefits.Comparative study of fatty acid composition of muscles of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua Linnaeus, 1758) with natural diet and feeding near salmon farmspublishedVersio

    Effects of biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and poly(lactic acid) plastic degradation on soil ecosystems

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    Despite that biodegradable plastics are perceived as environmentally friendly, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of their fate in soil. Current Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, along with new UNEP regulations on plastic pollution, necessitate scientific information on plastic degradation in soils for developing sustainable biodegradable plastics. In this study, we examined the degradation rates of two biodegradable plastics, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA), in a laboratory microcosm experiment using uncontaminated soil, with PBAT or PLA added at 8.3% (w/w). Our aim was to further understand the impact of these plastic types on soil properties and microbial communities under different incubation temperatures. Both PBAT and PLA treatments elevated cumulative CO2 efflux compared with the control soil incubated at 25 and 58°C. After 33 weeks, 9.2% and 6.1% of the added PBAT and PLA degraded, respectively, at 58°C, while only 2.3% of PBAT and 1.7% of PLA degraded at 25°C, implying slower degradation rates of PBAT and PLA under the lower temperature. Degradation at 58°C increased total soil carbon by 0.6%, 1.9%, and 4.3% for Control, PBAT, and PLA, respectively, and soil electrical conductivity by 0.17, 0.33, and 2.38 dS m−1, respectively, but decreased soil pH. Microbial diversity and richness decreased under thermophilic conditions at 58°C compared with that at 25°C. We conclude that the degradation of PBAT and PLA varies with environmental condition, and influences soil properties.publishedVersio

    Report on cruises and data stations 2023

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    The report gives an overview of cruises in 2023, by the Institute of Marine Research, University of Bergen and Tromsø and Norwegian Polar Institute, on board our research vessels and many of the hired commercial vessels. Each cruise has a short description and a track chart showing CTD and trawl stations. A table displaying the coverage of the oceanographic sections in addition to a table showing the number of observations per month for the fixed stations are included at the end of the report. Meta data about the cruises are reported to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) using the form “Cruise Summary Report”: https://www.seadatanet.org/Metadata/CSR-Cruises. Research data are available from the Norwegian Marine Data Centre at Institute of Marine Research (https://www.nmdc.no). Charts are generated by Silje Smith-Johnsen using ggOceanMaps by Mikko Vihtakari (IMR).Report on cruises and data stations 2023publishedVersio

    The significance of shooting angle in seal shooting

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    The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between shooting angle to the head and animal welfare outcomes in the hunt of young harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus). The study population consisted of young harp seals belonging to the Greenland Sea harp seal population. A sample of 171, 2–7 weeks old, weaned harp seals of both sexes were included. The study was conducted as an open, randomised parallel group designed trial during the regular hunt. The animals were allocated into four groups, A–D, according to the observed shooting angle to the head, defined as the angle between the direction of the shot and the longitudinal axis of the animal’s head: (A) directly from the front; (B) obliquely from the front; (C) directly from the side; and (D) obliquely or directly from behind. Instantaneous death rate (IDR) and time to death (TTD) were the main variables. The mean IDR differed significantly between groups and was highest in group B (96.8%) and lowest in group C (66.7%). For all groups combined it was 84.2%. The mean TTD for seals not rendered instantaneously unconscious or dead (n = 27) differed significantly between groups and was shortest in group A (16 s) and longest in group C (85 s). However, the number of animals included in the TTD analysis was limited. In conclusion, based on the significantly higher IDR, the shooting angle obliquely from the front is recommended to help achieve the best animal welfare outcomes during the hunt of young harp seals.publishedVersio

    Enriched local convenience foods with two different small pelagic fish species increases the nutritional value without compromising taste

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    Cereals and their derived products are important dietary sources for humans but are mostly deficient in protein and several micronutrients. To increase the nutrient content of rice and wheat flour-based recipes, nutrient-dense powders of the small pelagic fish species Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and Atlantic bumper (Chloroscombrus chrysurus) were used to enrich the high carbohydrate content mostly found in cereals. Sensory evaluation by 60 panelists showed that the enrichment of recipes with fish powder was acceptable. Recipes with dried anchovy showed higher sensory acceptance than recipes fortified with dried Atlantic bumper. Nutritional analyses showed that several of the tested recipes can be regarded as significant sources of micronutrients (vitamin A, D and B12, iodine and calcium) and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. The actual analysed nutrient content of the test diets differed from the estimated nutrient content of the recipes by using values from the West-African food composition table. For vitamin A, analysed values were generally higher than the estimated values, indicating that the values in the food composition table are not sufficient to estimate the nutritional fortification with powdered small fish. In conclusion, the fortified foods prepared according to the tested recipes were accepted by sensory panelists and can be regarded as significant source of several essential nutrients. Food composition tables should be revised to enable a better estimation of the nutritional value of fortified diets for the combat of malnutrition.publishedVersio

    Exploring the nutrient composition of various shellfish available in Norway and their role in providing key nutrients

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    Shellfish constitute a diverse group of aquatic animals, encompassing numerous species of molluscs and crustaceans able to supply important nutrients beneficial to human health. However, information regarding their nutritional properties remain scarce. In this paper, we explore the nutrient composition of shellfish, including shrimps, mussels, scallops, crabs, crayfish, and lobsters, collected from supermarkets, local fishermen, and the North Atlantic Ocean. By analysing over 800 samples collected between 2011 and 2021, we show that shellfish are able to provide high quantities of protein (8.1–21 g/100 g), essential amino acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) [sum of 0.061–4.3 g/100 g], vitamin B12 (0.82–65 µg/100 g), vitamin E (0.75–28 mg/100 g), zinc (0.61–7.9 mg/100 g), iodine (3.1–2100 µg/100 g), and selenium (7.2–590 µg/100 g). The hepatopancreas of crustaceans was found to be substantially more nutrient-dense than the white meat. Furthermore, the shellfish included in this study cannot be considered good sources of riboflavin, niacin, folate, and vitamin D3. We conclude that shellfish can substantially contribute to recommended nutrient intakes by providing high quantities of key nutrients. The data presented in this paper are an important contribution to the understanding of shellfish as a source of nutrients and to existing food composition databases.publishedVersio

    Diversification of marine aquaculture in Norway under climate change

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    Recently there has been increased interest in species diversification in aquaculture as a strategy to adapt to climate change. Since species diversification is a long-term strategy, climate change and future farming conditions must be considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate how changing temperatures under different IPCC climate scenarios may affect marine aquaculture species diversification in Norway. Since farm conditions vary between locations, this study focused on four geographic areas (South, West, North and Arctic) and three farms within each area. Using a climate model downscaling of three climate scenarios (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways; SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, and SSP5–8.5), daily temperatures from the years 2020–2099 were evaluated at each farm location to identify challenging conditions for 34 species. A Challenging Conditions Index (CCI) was developed based on species thermal tolerances to compare the 34 potential aquaculture species. The results showed differences in the number of challenging days (hot and cold) between areas, and even within areas, highlighting the need to consider site-specific conditions. For warm-water species more commonly farmed in the Mediterranean (e.g. European seabass, gilthead seabream), the calibrated model projections at the investigated Norwegian farm sites suggest that cold temperatures would still be challenging. Differences in the number of challenging days between the climate scenarios become more apparent towards the mid and end of century, though all scenarios show interannual variation rather than a constant change in conditions over time. Hence, any species selected for diversification purposes will have to be able to tolerate a range of temperature conditions, and species with narrower tolerance ranges could be a risk. These findings underline the importance of considering the interannually varying conditions that species will be exposed to rather than focusing solely on long-term averages. Establishing a new large-scale commercial aquaculture species takes a considerable amount of time and resources. Therefore, to support interpretation of the results and further studies on diversification under climate change, this study also introduces Aquaculture Readiness Level (ARL®) as a consistent evaluation of the research and development status, progress towards commercialisation and climate action orientated production. As species will have to be able to tolerate a range of temperature conditions over different years, the level of knowledge, resources, and innovation will have to be continually enhanced to improve adaptive capacity.publishedVersio

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