Infectious diseases in Cermaq`s salmon production

Offentlig prosjektsammendrag

Infectious diseases in Cermaq`s salmon production The main goal is to develop knowledge and tools for combating and prevent infectious diseases effecting welfare and economic losses for Cermaq Group companies. The project is part of a long term Cermaq research strategy on preventive fish health, and for 2019-2020 the Focus is on the following 3 main topics: Intracellular bacterial diseases (SRS and BKD), Ulcerative diseases (T. maritimum and T. finnmarkense) and Viral diseases (HSMI/PRV). The two intracellular bacterium, Piscirickettsia salmonis and Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causal agent of Salmonid Rickettsial Septicaemia (SRS) and Bacterial kidney disease (BKD), respectively, are the most important pathogens in Chile today. To increase the fundamental knowledge on these bacteria is of upmost importance to lower the risk and losses Cermaq and other companies experience in Chile. This can be done by refining the production methods, diagnostics, the antibiotic therapy and the use of protective vaccines in addition to blocking infection routs. Ulcerative disease is very important for Cermaq, especially regarding fish welfare. Focusing on the genus Tenacibaculum, we aim to better understand their role in Western Canada and Northern Norway. We are among other things investigating the role of seawater adaptability in smolts in order to lower mortality in newly transferred salmon. We are also investigating if there is a reduction in sensitivity towards antibiotics in western Canada. Viral diseases is a continuous challenge in salmonid aquaculture. PRV is today one of the most important viruses in aquaculture worldwide. It has several genotypes that effect salmon differently. We will investigate there relationship and try to understand the differences between them so we can develop tools to better our production.