Introduction
The rapid expansion of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in the Norwegian Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) industry has created a critical demand for specialized technical and biological expertise. To address this "competence gap," the life-long learning course in RAS biology was established as a collaborative effort between academia, research and industry partners to provide advanced training for professionals already working within the sector.
Methodology
The course is structured around three intensive physical gatherings focusing on four main topics: the first gathering on RAS technology, the second on microbiology and water quality, and the third on fish health and welfare. The pedagogical approach combines lectures from international and national experts with hands-on laboratory work, including welfare scoring (Nilsson et al., 2025), and microbial and water chemistry analysis. Lab work is reported in the form of a lab journal. Each gathering includes visit to a commercial RAS facility. Relevant "case studies" from everyday operation of commercial RAS are discussed in groups and in plenum. Between the physical meetings, digital seminars with equipment suppliers, salmon producers, researchers and feed manufacturers are organized to ensure a holistic understanding of the RAS value chain. After each gathering the participants are given assignments related to the topic discussed at the gathering, which is presented orally and is a part of the final exam. The course is given once per year, provides 15 study points and is limited to maximum 15 participants.
Results and Discussion
Since 2023, the program has successfully arranged three courses and trained over 30 participants from salmon producers, including Mowi, SalMar, Ler��y Aurora, Grieg Seafood, Arnoy Laks, Astafjord Smolt and Elvevoll Settefisk. In addition, staff from Troms�� Aquaculture Research Station and lecturers from the Vocational college in the North participated in given courses. This course provided a platform for networking that allows for the transfer of best practices across companies, reducing the risk of common operational pitfalls. Participants received state-of-the-art knowledge about salmon production in RAS and were able to see chosen technical and management solutions at other commercial sites. Preliminary results suggest that this targeted continuing education model significantly enhances the operational reliability of commercial RAS facilities in Norway.
Course evaluations and oral exam presentations demonstrate a clear increase in participants' understanding of key RAS challenges, including system–biology interactions, microbial management, water quality control, and welfare indicators in intensive production. Participants reported increased confidence in interpreting water chemistry and microbiological data, applying welfare scoring tools, and critically assessing technical and operational solutions in their own facilities. Exposure to multiple commercial RAS sites and contrasting management strategies enabled participants to benchmark practices and reflect on how design and operational choices influence fish health and biological performance.
The course also functioned as a professional networking arena, facilitating the transfer of best practices across companies and regions. Group-based case work based on real operational challenges stimulated learning and highlighted common risk factors in RAS operation, such as biofilter instability and system start-up phases.
Overall, these results suggest that a structured, practice-oriented continuing education model can contribute to strengthening operational robustness and biological competence in commercial RAS facilities. The course framework provides a scalable template for future life-long learning initiatives aimed at supporting sustainable growth of land-based salmon production in Norway.
Acknowledgment
This project is funded by the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir. Project: Fleks-2022/10170 - EVU kurs i resirkuleringsanlegg (RAS)) and supported by Sj��mat Norge and the Research Council of Norway (NFR) through the CandRAS project (project number 331892).
References
Nilsson, J., Gismervik, K., Nielsen, K.���V., Iversen, M.���H., Noble, C., Kolarevic, J., Frotjold, H., Nilsen, K., Wilkinson, E., Klakegg, B., Hauge, H.���S., S��ther, P.���A., Kristiansen, T., & Stien, L.���H. (2025). Laksvel – A standardised, operational welfare monitoring protocol for Atlantic salmon held in sea cages (Rapport fra havforskningen 2025–40; ISSN���1893���4536). Institute of Marine Research.