Light is an important environmental factor in salmon and trout farming. It affects growth, development, health and smoltification. However, light is still often used without a strong enough knowledge base. Today, light is commonly measured with units designed for human vision, not for fish. This makes it hard to know what light dose the fish actually experience.
The project addresses a clear need in the industry for a more knowledge-based and standardised use of light. The work first brings together existing knowledge in a best practice handbook. This helps identify which properties of light are most important at different life stages and provides a basis for defining what should be measured.
A key question is therefore how light can be described in a way that is biologically relevant for the fish. The project studies both how salmon perceive light and how the light environment actually varies in aquaculture facilities. This is highly relevant, as the industry is seeking better production control, lower mortality and improved fish welfare.