The marine science research section is focused upon sustainable management, production and utilisation of biological marine resources.

A significant part of the research is characterised by interdisciplinary research in the cross-over between marine biology, aquaculture and technological development. Marine research and higher education at the Department of Biology is included in the NTNU Strategic Focus Area "Marine and Maritime Research "

The section activities comprise research fields such as aquaculture, ecology, physiology, bio-systematic, ecotoxicology, genetics of populations and dynamics in marine ecosystems.

Our aquaculture research aims at a better understanding of the biological requirements for cultivation of fish  and algae, and to contribute to technological development based on the needs of the organisms during different parts of their life cycles.

Research groups

Dynamics of sex roles and sexual selection in males and females
(PI: Trond Amundsen)

Pelagic food webs
(PI: Nicole Arberle-Malzahn)

Aquaculture biology and wild fish interactions
(PI: Bengt Finstad)

Marine ecophysiology
(PI: Geir Johnsen)

Early life history of fish and aquaculture
(PI: Elin Kjørsvik)

Lipid nutrition and biochemistry, stress and welfare
(PI: Rolf Erik Olsen)

Ecology of plankton and marine bioresources
(PI: Yngvar Olsen)

Environmental interactions to aquaculture
(PI: Kjell Inge Reitan)

Marine Bioacoustics and Ecology
(PI: Ana Širović)

The section is responsible for the higher education programme in aquaculture and marine biology at the Department of Biology:

• Bachelor degree
• International Master Programme Marine Coastal Development
• PhD studies

The aquaculture and marine ecotoxicology activities is located to NTNU Centre of Fisheries and Aquaculture, which was opened in 2007. This is a multidisciplinary centre for experimental marine research and education, where scientists and students from seven departments and four faculties are the main users. A close collaboration with SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture and SINTEF Environmental Technology contributes to a unique research- and educational environment. The Centre is located at "SeaLab" at Brattørkaia NTNU's research vessel, R/V Gunnerus has its mooring by the quay just outside Sealab.

Trondhjem Biological Station (TBS), located at seaside premises close to the city, is the centre for marine biological research at NTNU. Relatively new buildings from 1986 and 1990 offer good office and laboratory facilities. In- and outdoor seawater tanks/basins and its own pier for regular access to services by the NTNU research vessel "Gunnerus " allow for a wide range of biological experiments and studies for the staff as well as for students. In recent years the Trondheim fjord, mid-Norway coast and Arctic areas have been model systems for much of the marine biological studies at TBS.