Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) is one of the most valuable fisheries resources in Norway, sustaining a large fishery in the Barents Sea. Despite this, relatively little is known about the shrimp life history, the composition of the stock and the size selectivity in the fishery. To improve our understanding of shrimp dynamics and subsequently management advice, IMR has expanded its sampling program, collecting shrimp samples on scientific surveys and from commercial vessels.
We offer the opportunity for a student to contribute to the sampling program and advisory work. The expected work will comprise of measuring and staging shrimp, registering the data in IMRs database, and producing an overview report of size and stage composition in time and space. Field work is not guaranteed but may be possible dependent on the timing and scope of the internship. Training on shrimp sampling and relevant statistical and visualization methods as well as reporting will be provided. The workload and outputs are adaptable to the specific requirements of the internship. We expect independence, interest in fisheries biology, and motivation to learn practical and analytical skills. Experience with shrimp or other crustaceans or data analysis in R are an advantage. We are located in Tromsø and being present there for most of their placement period is recommended, but staying partly in Bergen or Flødevigen can be discussed. Please contact us directly, availability is limited and may depend on the timing.
Workplace: FG Dyphavsfisk, hai og skalldyr, IMR Tromsø
Contact: fabian.zimmermann@hi.no / maria.jenssen@hi.no
Ensuring animal welfare during food production is a humane and legal obligation. Despite this, current understanding of how animals are impacted by wild-capture fishing is limited. This represents a missed opportunity, because promoting welfare during capture can improve the sustainability, product quality, profitability, and ethical reputation of the fishing industry. Together with changing societal perspectives, this suggests an important role for animal welfare in the future of fisheries management.
In recent years, coastal power boats have used rod and line to capture Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in Norwegian waters. The nature of the gear (i.e. catching fish one-by-one) and the target species (i.e. whose market price is highly dependent on quality) means the fishery is well placed to transition towards welfare-responsible capture methods. To do so, however, requires a thorough understanding of how tuna respond to the stress of capture.
Based on video footage to be collected during field work throughout autumn 2025, the aim of this internship is to quantitatively describe the behavioral response of bluefin tuna to rod and line capture. Of particular importance will be quantifying tail beat frequency, as this is known to correlate well with energy expenditure in fish. Dependent on timing, there may be opportunities to participate in research cruises to collect further video material. Data generated from this internship is expected to provide the basis for future development of new capture methods that promote animal welfare.
Workplace: FG Fiskeri, IMR Bergen
Contact: neil.anders@hi.no / michael.breen@hi.no
Published: 21.11.2023 Updated: 26.08.2025
