Aquaculture is on the forefront of research around the world due to its capabilities for food resources and conservation of species facing extinction. Analyzing the impacts of invertebrate and fish health can indicate how ocean changes are affecting the ecosystem as a whole. Health determinations can also further drive the research and need for use of aquaculture to preserve our aquatic ecosystems.
Environmental Stressors
Research addressing environmental changes can help scientists understand how potential effects can modify animals’ health and behavior to contribute to conservation of animals and ecosystems.
Health Surveillance
Health surveillance of aquatic species allows researchers to gather a plethora of information. Learning how to evaluate and assess the health of a population or individual can give scientists a better understanding of how to identify disease and other areas of concern.
Physiology
Physiology concerns how the anatomy and biology of an animal relates to how its body functions. When scientists and veterinarians better understand how animals normally live, function, and adapt within their aquatic environment, they are able to more easily identify disease and abnormalities.
Toxicology
Contaminants from human activities can have a major impact on aquatic environments. Researchers are currently working to identify how these harmful chemicals can affect aquatic species and ecosystems. This research is extremely valuable to the conservation of vulnerable species and habitats.
