Investigating the potential for microbiome modulation to support optimal Atlantic salmon and Lumpfish health in aquaculture applications

21-M-01

Description

The microbiome is the collection of all microbes that live inside and on an animal. The microbiome covers every surface of an organism. It plays key roles in the function of organs or systems, including:

• digestion
• circulation
• brain function
• immunity
• behaviour

A new approach to protect the health of cultured animals is to balance the microbiome. Natural or seeded microbes can be used to change the microbiome of an animal. This could allow aquaculture farmers to improve the health of cultured animals. Changing the microbiome might also help manage parasites, such as sea lice. This project will test new probiotics to change the microbiomes of farmed fish. It aims to:

1. document the natural differences in microbiome of wild fish compared to farmed fish
2. test how effective commercial probiotics are at reducing sea lice on salmon
3. test how effective commercial probiotics are at reducing bacterial and viral disease in farmed fish

This research could help reduce disease outbreaks in salmon and lumpfish. Using probiotic bacteria could reduce reliance on drugs to treat disease in farmed fish. This would reduce any potential harm to wild species through the use of drugs.

Program Name

Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP)

Year(s)

2021 - 2024

Principal Investigator(s)

Steve Leadbeater, Aquatic Sciences Biologist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews Biological Station, Maritimes Region

Email: Steven.Leadbeater@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Team Member(s)

• Shawn Robinson, Aquatic Sciences Biologist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews Biological Station, Maritimes Region
• Marc Trudel, Aquatic Sciences Biologist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews Biological Station, Maritimes Region
• Anthony J. Manning, Senior Scientist, Research and Productivity Council (RPC)
• Sean Corrigan, Aquatic Sciences Biologist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews Biological Station, Maritimes Region
• Vicky Merritt, Technician, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews Biological Station, Maritimes Region

Collaborator(s)

• Andrew Swanson, Vice President of Research & Development, Kelly Cove Salmon Limited
• Kira Salonius, President, Veterinærmedisinsk Oppdragssenter (VESO), Previwo Canada Incorporated