The following projects are funded under the 5th and 6th Framework Programmes for Research and Development of the European Community. Their members are also key partners in the Reprofish project, contributing their knowledge and expertise.

LEPTIN IN FISH
Lead partner: Manuel Carillo Estevez, CSIC, Spain
Objectives: Neuroendocrine interactions between energy balance and reproduction in fish. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is involved in the regulation of a variety of physiological events including pituitary hormone secretion, energy balance, and feeding behavior. The aim of the research project is to study the functional relationship between energy balance, hypothalamic orexigenic NPY and pituitary luteinizing hormone (M) secretion in fish, using the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.), as the experimental model.
Further information: CSIC website

Ghrelin & regulation of adiposity & growth in salmonid fish (PhD thesis)
Lead researcher: Bjorn Thrandur Bjornson, Göteborg University, Sweden
Objective: Assessment of plasma ghrelin levels will help elucidate adiposity regulation in salmonid fish. (Note: A SEAFOODplus research group ("BIOQUAL") has successfully developed a method for assessing the peptide ghrelin in fish plasma. This will help optimise lipid levels in tailor made aquaculture products).
Further information: Göteburg University website

AQUAMAX
Lead researcher: Oyvind Lie, National Institute of Nutrition & Seafood Research, Norway
Objective: Sustainable aquafeeds to maximise the health benefits of farmed fish for consumers. AQUAMAX unites an international  team of experts on seafood and nutrition from Europe, India and China in a wide-ranging search for a variety of sustainable alternative fish feeds that will produce healthy and nutritious farmed fish. It will develop innovative toxicity tests and conduct health trials with pregnant women and infants to assess the health benefits of the fish that eat the new feeds. The project will also assess consumer opinion on farmed fish and provide information on its nutritional value.
Further information: Aquamax website