Healthy Fish and Sustainability
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Healthy fish and sustainability Aquatic research- and development projects at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute Photo: Ccolourbox Norwegian Veterinary Institute 1 No health − no growth! seeks cooperative research with industry, the interactions between pathogen and host, the aim authorities and other research institutions. is to control several of the most serious and economically significant virus infections through Norwegian aquaculture remains a young Satisfactory control of the salmon louse is development of new and effective vaccines. industry, with unparalleled development and critical for sustainable growth. The Norwegian growth. The rapid implementation of new knowl- Veterinary Institute approaches this problem from Due to our societal role in identification and edge and technology within the industry has been many angles including studies relating to develop- control of disease, the Norwegian Veterinary dependent on a solid research- and competence- ment of resistance, vaccine development, various Institute prioritises identification of new infectious infrastructure. Further sustainable expansion will non-medicinal treatments and testing of farming diseases of fish, so-called emerging diseases. Rapid require continued high-level research. technologies designed to reduce infection. A solid identification, development of diagnostic method- epidemiological of infection dynamics and ology, eradication and control of such infections As the world-leading nation in salmon farming, infection model development is critical for manage- are all priority areas of research. This presentation Norway must acknowledge its responsibility in ment and control of lice infections. Both medicinal describes several research projects aimed at the field of research involving farming of Atlantic and non-medicinal treatments have considerable creating fundamental knowledge of emerging salmon. Fish health and welfare challenges are physical and physiological effects on the salmon diseases and agents. Continued, sustainable probably the most important limiting factors for treated and thus represent considerable welfare development of both salmon and novel species continued expansion. It will be necessary for the challenges. Fundamental knowledge of fish welfare aquaculture industries will depend on continued industry and the authorities to work together to and fish health is a vital components in evaluation ‘basal’ research into emerging diseases. meet these challenges. Halvor Hektoen: Locum Director, Department for Fish (and eventual success) of new farming technologies Health. Photo: Bryndis Holm whether it be gigantic offshore farms or land-based At the Norwegian Veterinary Institute we value The Norwegian Veterinary Institute remains farms based on recycling technology. being able to contribute to increasing knowledge one of the most important sources of research of concrete societal challenges. When we succeed relating to identification of the causal-relation- The following presentation of central aquaculture- Vaccination has proven to be one of the most we know that the work and the results have a ships and control and prevention of fish diseases. related areas of research at the Norwegian Veteri- important preventative measures against fish value for both the farmed animals and for man- This research has been, and remains crucial for nary Institute illustrates the high degree of disease. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute is kind. This forms the basis for sustainable growth, further secure growth of the aquaculture industry. relevance our institute has for both the public currently participating in a series of research good disease management and healthy fish… The Norwegian Veterinary Institute also makes authorities and for the aquaculture industry itself. projects in cooperation with other leading re- vital contributions in the field of wild fish disease. Our aim is to ensure that we remain a central actor search institutions and industry partners towards Research on salmon lice and Gyrodactylus salaris are in the work towards a sustainable bio-economy, development of new and more effective vaccines two good examples of work equally valuable to good fish-health and good fish-welfare. We also against infectious fish diseases. Through a better Halvor Hektoen both farmed and wild fish populations. aim to continue to be an institute that actively understanding of the fish immune system and Locum Director, Department for Fish Health Photo: Davis Strand 2 3 The salmon louse The Norwegian Veterinary Institute has performed research on the salmon louse for many years. Central research themes include the biology of the louse, resistance to chemical treatments and the potential for spread of lice from aquaculture facilities to wild salmon and other farms. We also perform research into the salmon’s immune response to the parasite. Other important topics for research include transmission of lice between wild and captive fish populations and evaluation of the environmental conditions that may affect transmission of lice. The Institute is also currently working towards development of a vaccine against salmon lice and we have broad experience of testing new technologies for salmon lice control. Prediction of future louse infection to mitigate future infestation pressure in particular pressure sites and represent useful planning and support The Norwegian Veterinary Institute has a particu- tools for use by the authorities in the so-called lar research focus on the epidemiology of salmon ‘traffic light system’ for further development of lice infestation and has a team of researchers the aquaculture industry. devoted to development of knowledge and tools for control of salmon lice within the aquaculture Testing of enclosed aquaculture- and industry. This research group has several projects salmon lice treatment- technologies financed by the aquaculture industry and the There is a need for new treatments for control of public authorities, in addition to internal institute salmon lice. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute is financed projects. In collaboration with several involved in several projects aimed at development other institutions, the Norwegian Veterinary and testing of new technologies that may contri- Institute has developed models for prediction of bute to control and prevention of infestation e.g. spread of salmon lice. We recently released two cage technologies and new treatment techno- models, a ‘louse map’ and a ‘louse calculator’ logies. We focus on documentation of fish health, capable of calculating future infestation pressure preventative effects, de-licing effect and animal at the cage-, locality- and area- levels. These welfare aspects. More information is available in models enable the industry to initiate measures the Welfare and New Technology section. Salmon Louse. Photo: Trygve Poppe Salmon louse- mouth and teeth. Photo Jannicke Wiik-Nielsen –> 5 Current projects related to salmon lice* Project: Economic incentives for disease control and zoning strategies for reduction of salmon lice Project: Development of a standarised method for manual salmon lice counts and calculation and pancreas disease (PD) in salmonid fish of the occurrence of lice • Goal: To identify economic incentives within the • Goal: Establish a standarised method for manual salmon lice counts, a more accurate method industry which will act as drivers for disease control for calculation the occurrence of lice on a farm, and a method for handling the remaining strategies in salmon farming. The project will also insecurity in the lice counts evaluate the cost effectiveness of treatment- and • Expected value: More accurate lice counts and increased understanding of lice counts as estimates control- alternatives in salmon production, where of the true lice numbers, can give both fish farmers and authorities a better basis for their lice-related production is divided into geographic zones. decisions • Expected value: Increase knowledge on factors • Period: 2017–2018 driving establishment of effective and pragmatic • Project leader: Bengt Finstad, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) management measures. • Responsible person at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute: Kari Olli Helgesen • Period: 2016–2018 • Other collaborating partners: SINTEF Ocean, University of Prince Edward Island • Collaborating partners: Karl Rich, Lincoln University, • Finance: The Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF) New Zealand; Barbara Haesler, Royal veterinary College, London Project: Salmon-louse strategy 2017: United lice-strategy for Rogaland • Project leader: Mona Dverdal Jansen, Norwegian • Goal: Make use of new tools to control salmon louse infestations in real time through integrated Veterinary Institute pest management in the Rogaland production area. • Finance: Research Council of Norway (RCN) • Expected value: Advance preventive tools to control lice infestations and document experiences regarding effective control measures that are coordinated through the use of new warning systems Project: Strategic Institute Program – The Salmon for the whole production system. Louse Research Group • Period: 2017–2018. • Goal: Development of tools and new knowledge for • Project leader: Trine Danielsen, Blue Planet control of salmon lice in aquaculture • Responsible at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute: Peder Jansen • Expected value: Improve coordination and quality • Other collaborative partners: Proactima AS, Norsk Regnesentral of epidemiology-based salmon louse related research.