Both the partner institutes have a good track record of conducting research projects together (as joint PhDs), which resulted in the publication of several A1 articles. This proposed network will bring together two diverse groups, both in technical and geographical terms. These researches complement one another in the scientific area of expertise, experience with different fish and shellfish species, and scientific/technical perspectives. These networking activities will create a momentum to gain new insight into the respective ongoing projects - 'Aquastress at Ghent University (UGent)' and 'Shrimp immune responses to biological stressors at Fisheries College/Marine Biotechnology, Nitte University, Medical Sciences Complex'.