Preventive fish health research in salmonides

Offentlig prosjektsammendrag

The main goal is to develop knowledge and tools for prevention of significant fish diseases causing economic losses for Cermaq Group companies. The project is part of a long term Cermaq research strategy on preventive fish health, and for 2018 the following research topics has been prioritized: - Pathogen screening studies - SRS (Salmon Rikettsia Septicaemia) - Ulcerative diseases - Viral diseases - BKD (Bacterial Kidney Disease) The Pathogen screening study focuses on using and developing new molecular tools for sensitive and quantitative pathogen detection in order to detect sub-clinical infections in cultured salmon. The results will be used to implement risk reducing management strategies at the salmon farms to avoid disease outbreaks and pathogen dispersal. In order to increase the fundamental knowledge on Piscirickettsia salmonis, causing SRS and develop new methods for managing this disease the activities on SRS is extensive in 2018, with activities (among others) such as developing tools to predict antibiotic sensitivity. The risk and losses due to SRS can be reduced by refining the diagnostics, the antibiotic therapy and the use of protective vaccines. Focusing on the genus Tenacibaculum, we aim to better understand their role in ulcerative disease in Western Canada and Northern Norway. We are among other things developing a consistent challenge model on salmon, and attempt a model on lump fish to look into the biological risk of co-cultivation of these two species. Viral diseases is a continuous challenge in salmonid aquaculture. Several viruses effect our production, and there is no treatment against these diseases. It is therefore important to know as much as possible about the viruses effecting our production in order to prevent and minimize impact. With focus on region XII in Chile we aim to increase the knowledge about BKD This will be done by phylogenetic studies on isolates from our production in addition to prevalence studies.