Characterizing HAB-toxin growth profile and physiology impairment of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) upon exposure
21-P-03
Description
Harmful algal blooms (HAB) consist of phytoplankton that has grown out of control and produces harmful effects. HABs are responsible for mass deaths of farmed salmon in British Columbia (BC). They can have negative impacts to farmed fish in many ways, such as the:
- barbed spines of the algae can puncture fish gills causing damage to gills
- natural toxins produced by large quantities of algae (blooms) can irritate fish gills
- algae need oxygen to grow, so the increased oxygen demand in the water creates a stressful environment for fish
This study will explore the:
- amount of toxin produced during the growth phases of flagellates (organisms that have whip-like appendages) under various environmental conditions, which will represent BC bloom and non-bloom ambient environments
- physical impacts to Atlantic salmon when exposed to different amounts of toxins during the various growth phases
Program Name
Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP)
Year(s)
2021 - 2024
Principal Investigator(s)
Terri Sutherland, Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Science Enterprise Centre, Pacific Region
Email: Terri.Sutherland@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Team Member(s)
- Colin Brauner, Professor, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia
- Andrew Ross, Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences, Pacific Region
Collaborator(s)
- Tim Hewison, Director Fish Health and R&D, Grieg Seafood
- Patrick Whittaker, Company Veterinarian, Grieg Seafood
- Matthew Patterson, Fish Health Coordinator, Grieg Seafood
- Liam Peck, Senior Environmental Specialist, Grieg Seafood
- Kirstyn Nygren, Environmental Specialist, Grieg Seafood
- Date modified: