WG1 CephsInAction meets AE2015

October 23 – October 24, 2015

FA1301 COST Action Working Group 1 (Research Needs in Cephalopod Welfare) will join Aquaculture Europe 2015. AE2015 will take place at the De Doelen Congress Centre in Rotterdam (Netherlands), from 20 to 23 October 2015.

The AE2015 is organized by the European Aquaculture Society in cooperation with IMARES (Institute for Marine Resources & Ecosystem Studies) and AFI Wageningen UR (a collaboration between Wageningen University & Research centre and DLO foundation).

The participation of members of FA1301 COST Action to AE2015 is aimed to:

facilitate networking with specialists and SME working on topics of relevance to rearing and aquaculture of cephalopods, discuss approaches, strategies and possible collaborations for the achievement of important deliverables and results

allow beneficial interaction with other aspects of compatible disciplines and research done in other taxa

extend the potential of research efforts on biology and welfare of cephalopods

FA1301 WG1 members and representatives of FA1301 WG2, WG4 and WG5 will convene and contribute to AE2015 main program with a dedicated symposium (October 23). A series of other contributions (posters and free oral presentations) will also be delivered during the main program.

FA1301 WG1 meeting will occur as Satellite event of AE2015 on Saturday 24 October, 2015

During the meeting we will discuss approaches, strategies and possible collaborations for the achievement of important deliverables, and results of WG1, also in relation with other FA1301-WGs.

Synthesize and analyze the available knowledge on cephalopod biology, physiology and welfare. Evaluate the environmental, biological and behavioral needs of different cephalopod species to increase success of caring, maintenance, growth and rearing aimed to reduce stress and increase welfare in research and aquaculture establishments. Increase knowledge on nutritional requirements of different cephalopods species at various developmental stages including those required to improve health and welfare in aquaculture. Increase the knowledge of biological and physiological indicators (e.g. biomarkers) of welfare for cephalopods, also by increasing the use of alternatives to live animals in research, and the use of non-invasive approaches. Analysis of biological and physiological findings relevant to stress, nociception, pain assessment and management relevant to cephalopods. Evaluation of alternative methods to be utilized in experimental procedures. Evaluation of physiological and stress response during anesthesia. Development of humane endpoint. Development of online databases as guidance and inventory of alternatives. Further development of the CephsInAction CWI (Cephalopod Welfare Index) database-project by collection of statements (from scientific literature and best-practice), identification of animals’ needs, thus facilitate the linking of ‘statements’ to biological ‘needs’ in order to determine indicators of cephalopods welfare. Dissemination and Educational activities. Development of an EU accredited Training School Programme for Cephalopod Biology and Care in compliance with Directive 2010/63/EU.

CephsInAction WG1 meets AE2015

De Doelen Congress Centre “Plate Room”

G. Ponte, chairs

10:50 – 11:10 CephsInAction: A Network for Improvement of Cephalopod Welfare and Husbandry in Research, Aquaculture and Fisheries – COST Action FA1301 – G. Ponte – Italy

11:10 – 11:30 How to Get the Most out of your Cephalopod Experiment – Refining Methodologies to Assess a Given Diet or Reproduction Performance in Captivity – A.V. Sykes – Portugal

11.30 – 11:50 Cuttlefish in Captivity: an Investigation into Housing and Husbandry for Improving Welfare – G. Cooke – UK

11.50 – 12:10 Space as Requirement for Welfare: Effect of Confinement on Stress and Immune Response in the Cephalopod Octopus vulgaris – J. Estefanell – Spain

12.10 – 12:30 Potential Limiting Factors to the Growth of Octopus vulgaris – G. Fiorito – Italy

12.30 – 12:50 Digestive Enzymes Profile in Octopus vulgaris Paralarvae Fed with Artemia Enriched with Marine Phospholipids – V. Martin – Spain

12.50 – 13:10 Scientific Research on Paralarvae: Challenges and Opportunities Presented by Directive 2010/63/EU – P. Andrews – UK

CephsInAction WG1 meets AE2015

Hilton Hotel “Maaskant Room”

A. Sykes, chairs

9:30 – 11:00
             Guidelines for Care and Welfare of Cephalopods under Directive 2010/63/EU Guidelines presentation – G. Fiorito

Comparison between recommendation provided by Guidelines and Cephalopod Culture book – G. Fiorito

Impact of Guidelines on cephalopod research – P. Andrews

Group discussion

             WG1Questionnaire

results from the community – A. Sykes

results from SeaLife questionnaire – K. Perkins

discussion and how to proceed (group discussion)

11:30 – 13:00
             Scientific Presentations

Early stages/pre-hatching experiences and effect on ceph behavior – a review from the literature – G. Fiorito

How space and context affect growth – the case of the octopus – J. Estefanell

Anesthesia and cephalopods: cardiovascular responses, requirements, use – C. Pugliese

a short report from people attending of the most important, interesting literature appeared over the last 12 months and pertaining WG1 activities – A. Sykes

14:30 – 17:00
             New technologies and experimental approaches to promote the 3Rs’ principle

possible list of additional companies to be included

the current support from companies

             Active projects and PhD thesis that may contribute to WG1

listing and identification of possible research for STSM grants in 2016

             Grant possibilities

             Requirements from the group and commitment – G. Ponte

             What next

Planning ahead for the 2016 and call for the proposals to be discussed at Lisbon meeting

Other matters