Bergen University College has a strong standing amongst the university colleges in Norway. The college has 6,000 students and 600 staff members, and is organized into three faculties. Bergen University College has offered a bachelor’s degree in Aquaculture Technology for the last 20 years.

 

Bergen University College has offered a three-year study in the applied aspects of aquaculture technology since 1987. The focus of the bachelor programme is on the technological aspects of fish farming. There is a close collaboration with the industry, and all of the students do an internship with a company as part of their education.

 

The education that the students receive is comprehensive and equips them to satisfy the various requirements within all aspects of the fish farming industry, both technological and biological, from the breeding of spawn to the further processing of the finished food product.

 

After qualifying, former students are able to participate in the development of new equipment and design concepts for fish farming. They are qualified to work at open and closed aqua production systems, with environmental monitoring, water supply, filtration and recycling systems, production processes and quality control.

 

At Bergen University College the research laboratory used for aquaculture-related research dates back to 1990. Recently a new recirculation system was installed. In addition the institute has acquired a range of new instrumentation for monitoring environmental parameters.

 

Experimental studies aiming to assess safe water flow and water quality parameters for salmon, parr and smolt have been performed at Bergen University College since 1991. In total 14 long-term experiments have been conducted at the college or at the locations of its partners. Parameters studied include ion regulatory, haematological, somatic growth and health parameters.

 

A major problem in Norwegian smolt production is the low carbonate concentration in the water supplying the smolt farms, thus the buffer capacity is low. Methods for intensive production in aquaculture may result in a build-up of carbon dioxide causing a major impact on aquaculture species. This is in many cases the factor limiting the quality of the water.

 

The long-term effects of carbon dioxide exposure to rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon in fresh water include the development of nephrocalcinosis, reduced food conversion, reduced growth, and often an increase in mortality. Recognizing this, recent research at Bergen University College has addressed this topic. Based on its commitment to water quality research, in 2004 Bergen University College contributed to the establishment of an international carbon dioxide network.