Information

OMAF Fish Production Research Program
OMAF The Applied Fish Production Research Program, commonly referred to as the Aquaculture Program, is one of the seven livestock research groups that are administered by the umbrella Animal Program within the Enhanced Partnership Agreement (1994) between the University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

The Aquaculture Program research objectives include health, nutrition, breeding and genetics, endocrine, gametes and growth, waste management engineering, solar energy, fish welfare, economic analysis and industry characteristics. Short articles on some of these research areas can be found in "Aquatalk" a research bulletin published by the Aquaculture Centre.

The Aquaculture Program also embodies formal extension and service objectives that act in concert with our research activity, to deliver a truly interdisciplinary approach to research management and industry interaction.

The reference for our research and extension program priorities is the, 'Annual Report of Research and Service Priorities' published by the Ontario Aquaculture Research and Service Co-Ordinating Committee.
Fish Nutrition Research
The fish nutrition research program investigates methods to maintain or reduce the present cost of feeding trout over the next several years, through diet reformulation or improved processing techniques, or by optimizing feeding strategies for improved efficiency.
Fish Health Research
Fish health research aims to elucidate the etiology and pathogenesis of economically significant diseases, in an attempt to offer more effective measures of control, and to provide routine surveillance and diagnosis of farmed-fish diseases. Further, effective prophylactic and therapeutic regimes for the common diseases of rainbow trout in Ontario are being developed.
Fish Breeding & Genetics Research
Fish breeding and genetic research evaluates the establishment of rainbow trout strains as well as other species under Ontario conditions, with respect to spawning time, growth rate and disease resistance etc., with the long-term goal of developing a breeding program to optimize these characteristics.
Endocrine, Gamete & Growth Research
Techniques are developed and assessed for the controlled manipulation of gametes and reproductive cycles, and acceleration of growth in rainbow trout.
Waste Management
Physical and chemical characteristics of fish waste are determined for the purpose of developing efficient, and cost effective design technology for manure management systems, with the specific goal of reducing the environmental impacts of fish farming.
Economic Analysis & Industry Characterization
Quantitative measures of the industry, the design of economic models, are developed to assess new technology and programs, and to facilitate industry expansion through proactive promotion.
Engineering Research
Designs and research on mechanisms for improved management of fish waste.
Welfare
Examination of fish stressors by measuring physiological and behavioural responses in free-swimming fish under various environmental conditions.
Solar Energy
Research and cost effective analysis on the conversion of solar energy to heat as a means of raising water temperature to increase fish growth rate and hence time to market.
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120