NWO-Vidi grant on upwelling systems as hotspots of omega-3 in the ocean

Department

Themes

Eleonora Puccinelli sampling during fieldwork.

Today NIOZ scientist Eleonora Puccinelli received a NWO-Vidi grant for her research on upwelling systems as hotspots of omega-3 in the ocean: production, transfer and food quality. The Dutch Research Council has awarded 149 experienced researchers a Vidi grant worth 850,000 euros. The grant enables them to develop their own innovative line of research and and further develop their talent.

 

Upwelling systems are the most productive regions in the ocean, supporting fisheries that provide food for humans rich in omega-3. Omega-3 are fatty acids produced by phytoplankton –microscopic plant-like organisms– and are vital for all animals’ health, yet for most species impossible to produce. Upwelling events support phytoplankton communities dominated by known producers of omega-3. Climate change, however, can affect omega-3 production negatively, threatening the health of species that rely on them. This project will determine the amount of omega-3 available in upwelling systems, at present and under climate change scenarios. Such knowledge is crucial for marine resources management.

Eleonora is very pleased with her grant. It will enable her to set up her own research group in the coming years and delve deeper into the subject. "This Vidi will provide fundamental knowledge on the production and transfer of omega-3. These are essential compounds to human health, which are largely produced by phytoplankton in aquatic environments and transferred through the food chain to higher trophic levels, including commercially relevant fish species. This knowledge is particularly relevant in the understudied Benguela and Canary upwelling systems, the target regions of this Vidi. They are both located off the African continent, where food-webs support fisheries and the production of food resources rich in omega-3 critical for food security."

Eleonora’ research will combine fieldwork campaigns, on-board laboratory experiments and laboratory analysis, with two cruises planned in the Canary system and a cruise in the Benguela system in the upcoming year. The project is set to start in June 2026, and Eleonora will shortly hire a PhD student and a postdoc to help her shaping the research of this Vidi grant.

Eleonora Puccinelli

Eleonora Puccinelli (photo: Anneke Hymmen)

"This Vidi will provide fundamental knowledge on the production and transfer of omega-3. These are essential compounds to human health, which are largely produced by phytoplankton in aquatic environments and transferred through the food chain to higher trophic levels, including commercially relevant fish species. This knowledge is particularly relevant in the understudied Benguela and Canary upwelling systems, the target regions of this Vidi. They are both located off the African continent, where food-webs support fisheries and the production of food resources rich in omega-3 critical for food security."

NWO Talent Programme

Vidi is aimed at experienced researchers who have carried out successful research for a number of years after obtaining their PhDs. This year of the 778 preliminary applications, 149 are awarded, an award rate of 19,2 %. This round NWO has been able to grant additional funds to honor more high-quality proposals. This enables NWO to give talented researchers a helping hand in times of cutbacks in research and science.