Aquaculture Association of Canada

Krill-Based Diets: A Natural Defense Against Sea Lice in Salmon Farming? Sea lice pose one of the most persistent challenges for salmon farming, impacting fish health, welfare, and operational costs. However, a promising new study suggests that a simple dietary change could make a substantial difference: feeding salmon a krill-based diet may enhance their resilience to sea lice infestations. According to research presented by Aker BioMarine, salmon that consumed diets supplemented with krill displayed a stronger immune response, which is believed to contribute to reduced susceptibility to sea lice. Krill meal, rich in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, and astaxanthin, appears to improve skin health and strengthen the salmon’s natural defenses. Healthier skin provides a more effective barrier against parasites like sea lice, while the overall nutritional boost from krill supports immune function. This approach offers an exciting, sustainable alternative to traditional treatments for sea lice, such as chemical treatments and mechanical delousing. Reducing reliance on these methods not only cuts costs and minimizes stress on the fish but also helps mitigate environmental impacts, aligning with the industry's push for more eco-friendly solutions. The potential of krill-based feeds represents a valuable development for salmon farmers aiming to manage sea lice more sustainably. In addition, as consumer interest grows in seafood raised with natural and welfare-focused practices, the industry can leverage krill supplementation as a value proposition, emphasizing health and sustainability. While further research is needed to optimize krill-based diets and measure long-term effects, these findings suggest that nutrition-focused solutions could play a significant role in parasite management. It’s a reminder that advancements in feed can have a major impact on both productivity and fish welfare in aquaculture. With promising results like these, the future of salmon farming may be one where feeding strategies offer a first line of defense—helping salmon thrive naturally, reducing treatment needs, and supporting more sustainable aquaculture practices. Read the original article here: https://lnkd.in/ggcpqhC7

Healthier, Happier Fish: The Impact of Moderate Exercise on Rainbow Trout Aquaculture has increasingly focused on ways to enhance fish welfare while maintaining efficient production. A recent study has highlighted a surprising but effective approach: moderate exercise. According to research by the University of Tokyo, rainbow trout that engage in regular, moderate exercise display notable improvements in health and behavior, making them "happier" fish. The study found that exercise leads to multiple physiological and behavioral benefits for rainbow trout. Fish that are provided with moderate water flow, encouraging them to swim actively, demonstrate lower stress levels, improved immune responses, and healthier growth patterns. Exercise also supports better oxygenation and muscle tone, enhancing overall fitness and resilience. This is particularly beneficial in commercial settings, where fish are often in high-density environments that can lead to stress-related health issues. The link between exercise and fish welfare goes beyond health improvements. The research showed that rainbow trout that swim regularly exhibit fewer signs of aggression and social stress. The stimulation from exercise may help reduce competitive behaviors and support a more balanced social structure, resulting in a calmer environment that can translate to better growth and survival rates. Implementing moderate exercise in aquaculture systems can be as simple as adjusting water flow to encourage natural swimming behaviors. This relatively low-cost adaptation can help fish farmers improve welfare standards, making fish healthier and reducing the need for antibiotics or other interventions, which are often required when fish are stressed or unwell. As consumers become increasingly interested in the ethical treatment of farmed fish, welfare-focused practices like exercise are not only scientifically sound but also align with market expectations for responsibly farmed seafood. The takeaway? Exercise isn’t just for land animals or humans—it’s essential for aquaculture too. By incorporating moderate exercise into daily routines, fish farmers can enhance the health, welfare, and productivity of their rainbow trout populations. This approach underscores the evolving understanding of fish welfare in aquaculture and the importance of practices that consider both health and behavior. Read the original article here: https://lnkd.in/e4VAjXSe

Prince Edward Island's Strategic Response to Climate Change in the Seafood Industry As climate change reshapes coastal ecosystems, industries like seafood and aquaculture face growing challenges. Prince Edward Island (PEI) is stepping up with a proactive response: the PEI Seafood Sector Climate Adaptation Strategy, developed by the provincial government to safeguard the future of its vital seafood sector. PEI’s seafood industry—one of the island’s economic cornerstones—is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, ocean acidification, changing water temperatures, and extreme weather events. These impacts threaten shellfish, finfish, and other marine life, endangering both biodiversity and industry livelihoods. The adaptation strategy aims to support seafood businesses in mitigating these climate-induced risks and adopting resilient practices. The strategy outlines several key areas for action: 🔹 Improving Infrastructure Resilience: Developing more robust infrastructure to withstand extreme weather and adapting shore-based facilities to reduce vulnerability. 🔹 Enhancing Research and Monitoring: Expanding research into climate impacts on marine ecosystems and monitoring conditions like water temperature, acidity, and salinity to better predict industry risks. 🔹 Supporting Industry Innovation: Encouraging innovation in practices like selective breeding for climate-resilient shellfish, improving disease resistance, and adopting technologies to increase sustainability. 🔹 Strengthening Collaboration: Facilitating partnerships between the seafood sector, researchers, and government bodies to create a unified response to climate change. This strategy is not just a protective measure—it’s an investment in PEI's seafood industry's long-term resilience. By anticipating and preparing for climate impacts, PEI aims to reduce vulnerabilities while supporting local economies and protecting the livelihoods of those in the seafood and aquaculture industries. PEI’s approach is a model for other regions facing similar challenges. By prioritizing resilience, investing in research, and fostering collaboration, PEI demonstrates that proactive adaptation can help the seafood industry thrive in an uncertain future. This strategy highlights the critical role of sustainable practices and collaborative efforts in securing the future of coastal communities and their resources. PEI’s initiative serves as a valuable example of how the seafood industry can adapt to climate change and ensure a sustainable path forward. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gHBXkZ_8

Innovative Rapid Detection Method for Lactococcosis in Aquaculture In aquaculture, early detection of diseases is essential for reducing losses and ensuring fish welfare. One challenging bacterial disease is lactococcosis, caused by Lactococcus garvieae, which severely impacts several fish species, particularly in intensive farming settings. Traditional detection methods can be slow and costly, often leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Recently, researchers have developed a rapid detection method for lactococcosis that could significantly benefit the aquaculture industry. This innovative technique, developed by scientists at the University of Córdoba and the Spanish Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), utilizes Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technology. Unlike traditional PCR methods that require lab equipment and specialized handling, LAMP is a more straightforward and accessible tool, offering results in about 30 minutes. The rapidity and simplicity of LAMP make it ideal for on-site detection, allowing farm operators to make immediate decisions. Quick diagnostics mean farmers can implement treatments faster, minimizing the spread of infection and limiting economic losses. The LAMP-based test kit is designed for ease of use and portability, allowing real-time testing with minimal equipment. This is a critical advancement for the aquaculture industry, where logistical challenges often make lab-based testing less feasible. Lactococcosis has long been a challenge in regions with intensive fish farming, leading to high mortality rates and impacting production. With this breakthrough, the LAMP method offers a more sustainable approach by helping farmers protect fish health, avoid unnecessary antibiotics, and practice responsible aquaculture. This innovation underscores the growing need for efficient disease management in aquaculture. The LAMP technology’s speed and accessibility could also serve as a model for developing rapid tests for other pathogens in aquaculture, further supporting fish welfare and production efficiency. As aquaculture grows globally, so too does the demand for tools like this that improve productivity and sustainability. This new method represents a step forward in empowering the industry to manage disease proactively, reduce losses, and contribute to healthier aquaculture systems. Read the original story here: https://lnkd.in/g4nbKR5D #aquaculture #research #animalhealth

📢 Exploring Gut Microbiota in Aquaculture Species! 📢 Undergraduate student Mya Gowanlock, in Dr. David Huyben’s lab at the University of Guelph, sheds light on the role of gut microbiota in trout and salmon. This report reveals that environmental factors significantly influence microbiota composition, while host factors drive microbial diversity. These findings underscore the need for standardized methods and careful consideration of host-environment dynamics in future gut microbiota studies. Such insights are vital for advancing aquaculture health and productivity. 🌊🐟 To read the original article in Hatchery International, please visit: https://lnkd.in/g3jd88VF

Aquaculture: The Lifeline for PEI's Oyster Fishery Prince Edward Island’s oyster fishery, a cornerstone of the local economy and culture, is facing mounting challenges. Declining wild oyster stocks, habitat degradation, and climate change are all taking their toll on this historically vital industry. Compounding these issues is the recent outbreak of MSX (multinucleated sphere unknown) disease, which has devastated oyster populations. However, aquaculture offers a promising path forward, with selective breeding at the forefront of the solution. Selective breeding to create MSX-resistant oysters is emerging as a critical strategy to combat this disease. By cultivating oysters that are more resilient to MSX and other stressors, aquaculture can help stabilize production and restore PEI’s oyster stocks. This approach ensures that the industry is not only reactive but proactive in addressing both environmental and biological challenges. Aquaculture provides a controlled environment that enhances production efficiency, allowing for higher yields without further depleting natural stocks. In PEI, this shift toward oyster farming has already begun, with more operators turning to aquaculture as a solution to ensure a steady supply of oysters in the face of these uncertainties. Moreover, sustainable oyster farming practices alleviate pressure on wild populations and improve the overall health of coastal ecosystems. Oysters are natural water filters, capable of removing excess nutrients from the water and contributing to cleaner, healthier marine environments. This ecological benefit further underscores the importance of expanding oyster aquaculture. To fully replace wild oyster harvesting, however, continued investment in research and innovation is necessary. Selective breeding programs, alongside improved farm management and environmental monitoring, will allow PEI’s oyster farms to adapt to changing conditions and meet growing market demand. See the original article here: https://lnkd.in/gXMa2zFG #Aquaculture #OysterFarming #SelectiveBreeding #SustainableSeafood #PEIOysters

Unlocking Aquaculture's Future with Novel eDNA Approaches In today’s rapidly evolving aquaculture landscape, effective monitoring is critical to sustainability and growth. A promising new development in environmental DNA (eDNA) technology offers a way to revolutionize how we monitor aquaculture environments, providing more accurate, non-invasive data collection methods that benefit both producers and ecosystems. Traditional aquaculture monitoring methods often involve manual sampling, which can be time-consuming, invasive, and sometimes limited in scope. eDNA, by contrast, allows us to detect genetic material shed by organisms into the water—offering insights into the presence of fish, invertebrates, or harmful pathogens. A recent approach to eDNA takes this further, improving detection accuracy for even minute traces of DNA in complex aquatic environments. This cutting-edge technique can help producers better manage stock health, monitor biodiversity, and address environmental challenges such as water quality. Furthermore, it supports a proactive approach to disease management, detecting pathogens before they lead to outbreaks. By streamlining these processes, the technology reduces costs and the environmental footprint of monitoring. For the aquaculture industry, especially sectors reliant on open water systems, the enhanced precision of this eDNA approach means earlier detection of issues, allowing for quicker mitigation actions. This, in turn, helps improve fish welfare, productivity, and sustainability. As the global demand for sustainable seafood continues to rise, advancements like this are pivotal. They not only safeguard ecosystems but also ensure that aquaculture operations remain efficient, resilient, and aligned with future regulatory requirements. To read the original article, please visit: https://lnkd.in/g2swEty2 #Aquaculture #Sustainability #eDNA #EnvironmentalMonitoring #InnovationInAquaculture

Happy Fish, Happy Farm: Fish Sentience in Aquaculture The concept of fish sentience, once debated, is gaining traction in the aquaculture industry. With the understanding that fish experience both positive and negative sensations, producers are evolving welfare practices beyond health and disease prevention. Indicators such as stocking density, stress, and handling are now central to farming operations. Global initiatives like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and education programs are enhancing industry standards to ensure fish are treated ethically, ensuring both productivity and sustainability. By prioritizing fish welfare, the industry continues to improve production quality, consumer trust, and sustainability. For more information, please visit: https://lnkd.in/g7Dsvtpf #Aquaculture #FishWelfare #Sustainability #ASC #AnimalSentience #ResponsibleFarming

A recent survey conducted by the Centre for Aquaculture Progress revealed that 83% of consumers across Spain, Italy, Greece, and France prefer the use of electrical stunning for sea bream and sea bass before slaughter, citing humane treatment as a priority. Furthermore, 80% of respondents indicated willingness to pay a small premium for fish processed using these methods. This trend reflects growing consumer demand for animal welfare considerations in the aquaculture industry, highlighting the importance of aligning industry practices with these preferences. To read more, visit The Fish Site: https://lnkd.in/grSWTX4m

The Manitoba government is backing Sapphire Springs Inc. in developing Canada’s largest Arctic char facility, which will create over 100 full-time jobs and expand the province’s economy. The facility, set to open in 2026, will meet the growing demand for healthy, sustainable protein, increasing global supply by up to 50%. Arctic char, a cold-water fish native to Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, is highly prized for its rich flavor and versatility, offering an alternative to traditional fish like salmon. The development of Sapphire Springs Inc.’s Arctic char facility is a major step towards diversifying Canada’s aquaculture industry. Diversification is crucial for reducing the risk of overreliance on a few species, promoting resilience in the face of environmental and market challenges. It also allows for the expansion of high-demand products, enhancing Canada’s global competitiveness while addressing the growing need for sustainable, nutritious protein sources. By investing in Arctic char production, Manitoba is leading the way in innovation and sustainability, which benefits not only the local economy but also the broader Canadian aquaculture sector. This project not only strengthens Manitoba’s position in sustainable aquaculture but also promotes rural development and job creation.  Diversification helps ensure the industry’s long-term stability and meets increasing consumer demand for responsibly farmed seafood. As global seafood markets continue to evolve, expanding the range of species farmed within Canada enhances food security and boosts export potential, while minimizing environmental impact. For more information, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gzm2UutV