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The consortium – led by the University of Stirling Institute of Aquaculture and salmon producer Mowi, with support from Otter Ferry Seafish, Ceva Ridgeway Biologicals and the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Center (SAIC) – will explore the range factors that determine the best possible conditions. for the delivery of vaccines against Aeromonas salmonicida, a bacteria that can cause potentially fatal outbreaks in cleaner fish.
Wrasse are currently vaccinated against several health issues at the hatchery stage. However, the group will be looking at alternative formulations of the vaccine, which may offer greater protection against the disease. One of the main objectives of the project is to determine the most effective composition of antigens to elicit the best immune response in juvenile fish.
The team will also look at the best time and method to deliver the vaccine – ideally by immersion which may be easier to administer than injections – and assess and compare how the wrasse responds to each variable.
Dr Sean Monaghan, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, said: “Improving vaccines for Aeromonas salmonicida could represent a significant advance in the use of wrasse in aquaculture. We know prevention is better than cure, so we are working to develop more effective vaccine formulations and protocols that can be used by hatcheries and producers to improve fish welfare.
“By testing a range of conditions and variables, we also aim to identify the optimal vaccination process, which can then be implemented industry-wide to improve disease prevention among populations of humphead wrasse. ”
The project could have a positive impact on the health and welfare of a significant number of wrasse produced for use in the Scottish aquaculture sector, with improvements in their ability to treat sea lice, also improving the welfare and growth of large Atlantic salmon stocks on fish. firm.
Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC, said: “Wrasse is a central part of our industry-wide efforts to sustainably address the sea lice challenge and vaccinate them against the disease is essential for long-term success. This latest project adds to the range of valuable collaborative projects exploring best practices for cleaner fish, which is of growing concern to fish farmers and university partners. Through knowledge sharing and innovation, we hope to ultimately support the increased use of more sustainable sea lice treatments that will benefit the entire industry.
Dougie Hunter, Technical Director of Mowi, said, “Ballan wrasse alongside lumpfish is an excellent cleaner fish and a natural solution to effectively manage sea lice on our salmon. In order for us to provide these fish with the best environment and well-being, we must protect them from stress and disease, including infections caused by Aeromonas salmonicida, which can be observed in Napoleon wrasse at an early stage. At Mowi, we are committed to ensuring the best fish welfare in all of our facilities and for our new, cleaner fish hatchery in Anglesey, and that includes proven disease prevention tools such as vaccines. Mowi’s collaboration with leading Scottish fish health and vaccine experts and SAIC will be vital in finding the best vaccination strategies to improve wrasse health protection.
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