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Project title

Advanced Biotechnology for Intensive Freshwater Aquaculture Wastewater reuse (ABAWARE)

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Maynooth University (MU)

Lead Applicant

Fiona Walsh

Project Abstract

Aquaculture is currently estimated to be the fastest-growing area of food production in the world. Although aquaculture can provide an important food source, these types of farms must be developed in a responsible and sustainable way. Members of this consortium have identified the role of aquaculture as reservoirs of specific antibiotic resistance of importance to human health. In this context, the ABAWARE�s main objectives are to develop and implement innovative technologies for the monitoring of surface and groundwater bodies for effective integrated water and waste management in freshwater aquaculture sectors by developing an advanced biotechnology for intensive recirculated aquaculture systems with minimum costs and footprint. In order to measure the effects of such an innovative system we will understand and measure the environmental risks from freshwater aquaculture to human health (specifically pathogenic bacteria, microbiome composition and antibiotic resistance) and reduce these loads and risks by the implementation of the technology. Since these environmental problems and potential solutions concern aspects of human, environmental and animal health, consortium members will implement a multi-channel communication with the stakeholders, researchers, economic agents in the aquaculture field, academics, including students, doctoral students, public and private research institutions, local authorities, government departments and the general public. This project will focus on monitoring and reducing water pollution, in particular by understanding and decreasing the risks from freshwater aquaculture to human health through exposure to water and food. Outputs & deliverables: Identification of the microbiome changes associated with aquaculture and the potential bacterial and antibiotic resistance risks to human and environmental health due to freshwater aquaculture. Identification of the changes in microbiome & antibiotic resistance in freshwater aquaculture systems post-technology implementation and comparison to non-aquaculture freshwater ecosystems. The data will be presented to stakeholders and result in three academic publications and presentations at scientific conferences. Impacts: ABAWARE will have the following impacts: reducing freshwater pollution from aquaculture and the associated human and environmental health risks, including reducing the levels of pathogenic bacteria and minimising the spread on antibiotic resistant bacteria. By water-filtering, ABAWARE solves the problem of polluted rivers used in open aquaculture. Therefore, the river waters can be used in other human activities; minimizing the fresh water needed in RAS; the used water resulted from RAS (re-evacuated in the water source) is in conformity with the Water Directive and Nitrate Directive; decreasing of water treatment costs comparing to the existing RAS.

Grant Approved

�147,196.64

Research Hub

Healthy Environment

Research Theme

Safe water

Start Date

20/02/2017

Initial Projected Completion Date

19/02/2019