Two Fisheries PhD Postgraduate Research Opportunities

 Two Fisheries PhD Postgraduate Research Opportunities

Introduction 

The farming of aquatic organisms like fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants is known as aquaculture. The health and production of the farmed species can be significantly impacted by a variety of illnesses. If viruses are transferred between farmed and wild creatures, disease outbreaks in aquaculture can result in financial losses, environmental issues, and even pose a risk to wild populations. Following are some typical disease issues in aquaculture:

Bacterial illnesses: A wide variety of species can be impacted by bacterial infections, which are common in aquaculture. Infections with Aeromonas, Vibrio, and Streptococcus are typical bacterial illnesses. These can result in systemic infections that cause mass mortalities by causing systemic haemorrhaging, fin rot, and skin sores.

Diseases caused by viruses: Because there are so many species in aquaculture systems, viral illnesses can spread quickly. Numerous fish species have been reported to suffer severe losses due to viral illnesses such Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (IPN), and Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA).

Diseases caused by parasites: When parasites infest fish and other aquatic organisms, their growth is slowed down, their skin and gills are harmed, and they are more vulnerable to other illnesses. Sea lice, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich), and different fluke and worm infections are examples of parasitic diseases that are frequently observed in aquaculture.

Aquaculture is susceptible to fungus infections, especially under stressful circumstances or when fish are injured. Fish hatcheries and grow-out facilities may suffer losses as a result of fungal illnesses that affect eggs, fry, and adult fish.

Protozoan diseases: Particularly in the aquaculture of finfish, protozoan parasites as Ichthyophthirius (Ich) and Cryptocaryon can seriously affect health.

Diseases caused by environmental stress: Weakened fish are more prone to illness due to poor water quality, overpopulation, and inadequate nutrition.

Introducing non-native species into aquaculture facilities can result in the development of novel illnesses that impact both farmed and wild populations. Invasive species and exotic

 pathogens.

Two Fisheries PhD Postgraduate Research Opportunities

Project Duration: 48 months

Conditions:

· €19,000 stipend per annum.

· Postgraduate fees for EU students (€5,750 per annum) will be covered by the project.

· Any necessary national and international travel, and material costs incurred during the project, will be covered by the project.

Applications must be submitted to researchoffice.galwaymayo@atu.ie e-mail address only. Please ensure all documents are emailed as a single MS Word or PDF file.

For further information on the project, please contact: Dr Orla Slattery orla.slattery@atu.ie or Dr Katie O’Dwyer katie.odwyer@atu.ie

Project Start Date: Currently planned for October 2023.

Application Closing Date: 12 noon Friday May 19th 2023.

Applicants should submit their:

- Curriculum Vitae (to include contact details of two referees)

- Copy of transcript of results

- Personal Statement

 Two Fisheries PhD Postgraduate Research Opportunities