A new industry-backed research project which targets advancing the management of aquaculture systems by enabling fish farmers to identify and treat health concerns in advance is underway in Scotland.
Led by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), the method uses a biochemical monitoring tool similar to approaches used in human and veterinary medicine to analyze biomarkers in fish blood samples. According to the researchers, monitoring these biomarkers and changes in fish behavior could allow seafood producers to identify concerns and preemptively manage fish health, using real-time results to inform treatment decisions.
The project was recently awarded a funding package as part of the U.K. Seafood Innovation Fund, with support from the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC). The Scottish Salmon Company, Scottish Sea Farms, Mowi, Cooke Aquaculture, Loch Duart, Wester Ross Fisheries, Grieg Seafood, and Kames Fish Farming are also supporting the research.
One of the biggest challenges in aquaculture is understanding what normal fish biomarkers look like and how they change when there is an issue. Therefore, as part of the initiative, researchers are running tests on thousands of samples to develop a digital database that will allow future blood samples to be cross-referenced against a set of biomarkers that represent normal conditions.
“This type of proactive approach might seem a no-brainer, given that it’s already used widely in human medicine and agriculture,” UWS Aquaculture Health Laboratory Professor of Ecotoxicology Brian Quinn said. “However, it’s a very complex process and we’re just scratching the surface when it comes to developing the system for fish health. Stage one is to establish a strong reference base, which will be crucial to the success of health monitoring – but this involves assessing thousands of samples with at least 30 biomarkers each.”
Using results from the research to create a final product, the UWS team is planning to set up a spin-out company in around 12 months through the Scottish Enterprise’s High-Growth Spinout Program.
Quinn said that while taking blood samples from fish is not the easiest process, it could nevertheless become a part of fish farmers’ routine on-the-water checks.
“The project has received a great deal of support from the sector so far, with companies recognizing the potential impact and benefits of a proactive, data-led approach to fish health monitoring,” Quin said. “The system could trigger a fundamental change in fish farming’s approach to health management, based on proactive, informed interventions – it’s the first time we’ve been in a position to offer this.”
According to SAIC Aquaculture Innovation Manager Polly Douglas, enhancing fish health and wellbeing continues to be one of the biggest priorities for the aquaculture sector in Scotland.
“It’s great to be helping to facilitate partnerships between academia and the industry that can find new, more efficient methods for monitoring and diagnosis. When it comes to complex projects, collaboration is key to success,” she said. “Improving fish health is also a major focus of the Scottish government’s 10-year Farmed Fish Health Framework. Innovation projects that can potentially boost efficiency and productivity will undoubtedly help Scotland’s main food export to grow sustainably.”
Photo courtesy of Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre
