Scientists closing in on ways to boost immune mechanisms of mollusks
Farmed mollusks are threatened with a number of diseases, but given that — unlike vertebrates — animals like mussels and clams don’t have antibodies or T or B cells to fight infection, coming up with health interventions has often proved elusive.
Sound Science
Better net-cleaning tech needed to contain harmful particles on fish farms — study
Cleaning the nets of pens on fish farms at sea releases millions of harmful biofouling particles that not only spread between pens but into other farms up to 5 kilometers away too, a study in Norway has revealed. But despite the concerning results, help is at hand for producers.
Algal oil shows promise as fish-oil substitute in feed for young salmon
Algal oil can replace fish oil in the feed of farmed Atlantic salmon parr without affecting their growth or ability to transition to seawater.
Mediterranean heatwaves putting farmed finfish under strain
The welfare of farmed seabream and sea bass in the Mediterranean is threatened by marine heatwaves, which are becoming increasingly frequent in the region.
Probiotics help tilapia grow and fight disease, say scientists
Feeding Nile tilapia probiotics leads to improved health and performance, according to work analyzing research to date.
One pathogen strain seems the main culprit in damaging salmonid disease
A distinct strain of the main fungus-like pathogen which causes saprolegniosis — thought to be responsible for around 10% of economic losses in the salmonid industry — looks likely to be responsible for the majority of outbreaks of the disease on Atlantic salmon fish farms.
Fishmeal substitute made from zooplankton could boost tilapia growth and health
A feed made from the zooplankton daphnia boosted growth rates of red tilapia fry when used as a partial replacement for fishmeal, but too much daphnia had the opposite effect.