Research

The Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua) develops knowledge that supports the long-term sustainable use of natural resources in seas, lakes, and watercourses. We conduct research on aquatic ecosystems, fish, fisheries, and fisheries management. Our close collaboration with society creates a vibrant research environment and provides us with unique opportunities to produce knowledge that is directly applicable in practice.

Ongoing projects

The Kingdom of Colours

The project "The Kingdom of Colours" focuses on developing new methods for monitoring algal toxins in marine environments using visual signals such as the pigmentation and patterns of algae.

Large waves crash over the bow of a ship at sea during heavy weather.

Marine extreme weather

Heatwaves in the sea can affect fish and other organisms, and extreme storms can reduce fishing opportunities. In this project, researchers are studying the effects of heatwaves on fish and food webs through models and experiments.

Pike under water

No-fishing areas

In no-fishing areas, fishing is not permitted, thereby protecting species and their habitats. At the Department of Aquatic Resources, we monitor the development of Sweden's no-fishing areas and provide recommendations on how they can be best designed.

Underwater image from a coral reef featuring a large spotted fish, a potato grouper, in the center. Smaller colorful fish swim around, and corals in the foreground display various textures and colors.

FishLinks

In the FishLinks project, researchers are investigating whether tourism in Tanzania contributes to unsustainable fishing pressure, and if so, in what way.

European lobster (Homarus gammarus)

Lobserve

The Lobserve project is a citizen science initiative aimed at increasing knowledge about European lobster along the Swedish west coast.

Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)

Round goby – turning risk into resource

In this project, we are developing knowledge on how the round goby affects fish communities and ecosystem services, whether we can prevent its accidental spread in fish migration routes, if it’s possible to reduce its populations through effective fishing, and whether native species can limit the goby’s spread.

Research projects

More research projects

Research areas

  • Algtox - Knowledge Center on Algal Toxins

    We can expect toxic algal blooms to become more common as the climate changes. A better understanding of which toxins algae produce and under what circumstances this happens will therefore become increasingly important, and this we aim to investigate within Algtox.

  • AquaGenomics: linking genes and genomes to population and ecosystem health in a changing world

    We combine genomics and ecology to uncover evolutionary processes shaping aquatic life in a changing world.

  • Fish in food-webs: ecology & evolution of aquatic communities

    We link variation in body size and community composition to ecological and evolutionary dynamics in changing environments. In our research we combine dynamic models, experiments and analysis of long-term ecological data from lake, coast and open sea systems.

  • Offshore renewable energy

    Renewable energy is growing globally, including offshore wind. Key questions arise about impacts on marine life, fisheries, and other uses. The Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua) offers expert knowledge to support marine renewable energy development.
More research areas

Latest news

  • 2025-06-10

    New project will explore how warmer and darker coastal waters affect life in the Baltic Sea

    How is marine life affected when coastal waters become both browner and warmer? That’s what SLU researcher Magnus Huss, together with colleagues from the Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua) and researchers at Umeå Marine Sciences Centre, aims to find out in a new research project.
  • 2025-06-09

    Guillemots prefer predictable foraging grounds

    Common guillemots tend to seek out areas where the availability of fish is stable, even if the amount is small – a strategy that may leave them vulnerable as environments change. Using sailing drones and GPS transmitters, Astrid A. Carlsen has mapped how guillemots and razorbills search for food.
  • 2025-05-05

    The colours of algae lead the way to smarter aquaculture

    Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) are investigatin whether algae colours can signal toxic substance production and how underwater robots and AI can detect it early.
  • 2025-04-10

    Perch in a heated ecosystem reveal how climate change can shape fish evolution

    Smaller females and larvae with new diets — studying perch in heated waters, SLU PhD student Jingyao Niu shows how fish adapt to warming. Her research reveals that climate change can drive evolution in wild fish populations.
More news

Research infrastructure

We provide high-quality experimental resources – research infrastructure. We offer everything from advanced laboratories and well-equipped vessels to experimental facilities and databases. Contact us if you wish to use any of our facilities.
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