The Aquaculture Sustainability (AquaS) research group specialises in unveiling, quantifying and understanding aquaculture complexities, to propose innovative, practical, and resource-efficient solutions.
Our group aims
At contributing to advancements in aquaculture, promoting sustainable aquatic food production (Blue Food). We focus on maximising nutritional benefits for both, the global population and the ecosystems, while improving economic viability and minimising environmental impacts. We explore diverse, climate-resilient aquatic food production options using innovative management practices, based on tailored mathematical models and nutritional advancements.
We are committed
To embracing sustainability and circular bioeconomy principles and leading cutting-edge research to enhance a positive symbiotic relationship between aquaculture, societies, and the environment. Our mission is to foster the harmonious integration between managed and natural ecosystems, with a focus on optimising nutritional, economic, and environmental outputs in aquatic farming systems.
Contact
For enquiries, please email Sara Pinho (sara.pinho@unimelb.edu.au) and/or Giovanni Turchini (giovanni.turchini@unimelb.edu.au)
The AquaS group offers capabilities and skill sets for fundamental and applied research in resource-optimised aquatic food production, covering studies from fish metabolism and nutrition to broader analyses at the farm or global food chain levels. Aiming to unravel the complexities within and across these different levels to support sustainable aquaculture practices, our research is primarily grounded in quantitative analyses, closely collaborating with experimental facilities, analytical laboratories, and farms.
Specific areas of research expertise and interest
The overall disciplinary focus of AquaS can be summarised as Aquatic Nutritional Ecology, and our research efforts are primarily on the following areas:
Lipids and fatty acids metabolism
Dynamic growth and nutritional responses
Food and aquafeed technology
Circular aquatic systems
Environmental sustainability
Socio-economic impact analysis
Climate-resilient aquaculture
Multi-criteria decision tools
Governance and policy analysis
Meet the academics and graduate researchers involved in the Aquaculture Sustainability (AquaS) research group.
Academic Staff
Prof Giovanni Turchini
His key interests include nutrition (animal and human), aquaculture, food and feed technologies and fatty acid metabolism in cultured aquatic species, as well as sustainability and ethical issues in fisheries and aquaculture.
giovanni.turchini@unimelb.edu.auDr Sara Mello Pinho
Her main research interests include resource-optimised aquaculture systems, sustainability assessment studies, quantitative analysis, and process-based models for proposing sustainable circular aquaculture practices.
sara.pinho@unimelb.edu.auGraduate researchers
Every student in the AquaS group is engaged in research linked to at least one of the group's capabilities and interests
Manxi Zhao
Her PhD project is major linked to "Lipids and fatty acids metabolism in cultured aquatic species"
manxiz@student.unimelb.edu.au