Health and welfare
Addressing environmental and health challenges, particularly in the areas of sea lice and gill disease.
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Assessing the use of cardiac biomarkers for early diagnostic of cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS)
Cardiomyopathy Syndrome (CMS), a viral disease, has had a major impact on salmon production. Early diagnosis of this virus is important, and this project looks to identify fish cardiac disease biomarkers and develop a serological test for early diagnosis of CMS in salmon.
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Field trials of a novel vaccine to combat Rainbow Trout Fry Syndrome (RTFS) in Scotland
The bacterium Flavobacterium psychrophilum has been responsible for substantial economic losses in the rainbow trout industry globally, including the UK, for decades. It is widespread, occurs frequently, and can cause high mortality in fry and larger fish in freshwater hatcheries and on-growing sites. The impact of RTFS can be seen in terms of economic cost and in terms of risk. Currently the only course of action is antibiotic treatment, which has led to increased levels of antibiotic resistance, highlighting the urgent need for prophylactic treatments for RTFS. This project runs field trials for a recently developed vaccine in trout fry.
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Live plankton analysis system (LPAS)
Salmon farmers face significant challenges from various forms of plankton and algae. Detecting them early is vital and currently involves either a laborious manual process or expensive and complicated stand-alone sensors which do not provide live information. This project looks to develop an instant, accurate assessment of types and levels of plankton in the water surrounding fish farms, in order to work as an early warning system for the farmers.
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Development of an orally administered novel sea lice vaccine targeting mucosal immunity
Sea lice continue to have a major impact on the salmon farming industry. Many injection type vaccines have been trialled, but none are currently commercially available. This project seeks to develop an orally delivered efficacious sea lice vaccine, based on exploiting knowledge of salmonid mucosal immunity and sea louse biology, and utilising innovative delivery methods for oral vaccines.
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Spatial and temporal drivers of gill pathology in Atlantic Salmon
Unlocking the mechanisms underlying the variability in gill pathology, generating novel diagnostic tools to monitor gill conditions and designing functional feeds to improve gill performance are essential to maintain a healthy population of farmed fish, benefiting industry, consumers and environment.
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Optimising freshwater health interventions in seawater salmon production
This field-based project focuses on improving best practice for treating fish showing sub-optimal gill health. Objectives are: 1. Delivery of new knowledge concerning immersion of fish in ambient freshwater or low salinity water (modified seawater) to improve gill health or reduce sea lice 2. Elucidation of the welfare implications of such treatments including assessment of a number of innovative technologies in improving the health and welfare outcomes of interventions, with particular emphasis on oxygenation enhancement and associated water management improvements.
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Scaling up the use of cleaner fish
Increased harvest volumes of salmon and reduced reliance on medicinal controls, with the knock-on benefits of job creation in rural areas and improved perceptions about the environmental sustainability of salmon farming.
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Developing diagnostic techniques for assessing fish health
A cheaper, faster method of monitoring and informing fish health practitioners on the health and welfare of their fish.
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Improving cleaner fish vaccination
Improved survivability and efficacy of cleaner fish on Scotland’s salmon farms, with the potential for further adaptations to be used on other farmed non-salmonid species, opening up new export markets.
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Establishing a sustainable supply and optimal deployment of lumpsuckers
New protocols for breeding, feeding and deploying lumpsuckers into salmon farms; potential new products such as feeds and vaccines; and increased industry understanding of this cleaner fish species.
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Exploring ultrasound-based technology for salmon delousing
An effective, non-medicinal approach to controlling the incidence of sea lice on Scotland’s salmon farms.
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Exploring the risk factors for Saprolegniosis outbreaks in salmon farms
Increased understanding of Saprolegnia and its causative factors, enabling Scotland’s salmon farmers to pre-empt and control occurrence of the disease, improve fish health and welfare, and grow production volumes.
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Developing mobile biomarker detection for seawater readiness
Better decision-making; improved fish health and welfare; reduced mortalities; plus, the potential to adapt the device to test for a variety of diseases and pathogens.
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Enhancing the health and welfare of lumpfish
Increased understanding of the use and performance of cleaner fish in farmed environments.
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Control of sea lice infections of farmed salmonids using hydrogen peroxide
Establishment of guidelines for the use of hydrogen peroxide (Paramove®) at reduced salinities for control of sea lice and assessment of the safety and efficacy of Paramove® at a range of dosages in relation to seawater salinity.
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Gill Health in Scottish farmed salmon
Identification of actions and measures that can be used to prevent, reduce, or treat gill disease in farmed salmon, using a multidisciplinary approach, combining novel methodologies with well tested techniques.
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Genomic breeding for gill health and lice resistance in salmon: towards improved accuracy and affordability
Optimising genomic selection to improve the accuracy and affordability of the technology.
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Improving Disease Resistance in Atlantic salmon and Rainbow trout to Flavobacterium psychrophilum
The development and application of a F. psychrophilum immersion challenge model in Atlantic salmon to enable assessment of susceptibility of families to disease so that markers of resistance can be determined.
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Investigation into the causes of and possible solutions to failed rainbow trout in aquaculture
A comprehensive assessment of failed fish by the incorporation of information on brood stock (strain, family), genetics, husbandry, life cycle, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry to isolate why these fish have impaired growth and develop a solution to this problem through nutrition by testing the impact of various feeds.
Aquaculture UK
Scotland's Countdown to COP26
Marine Scotland survey on Covid-19 impact
